Exercise Science Commons^™

Hamstring Training Effects On Strength Gains In Ncaa Division I Varsity Soccer Players, Andrea M. Chilcote

Masters Theses

Those athletes who run at high speeds require eccentric strength when the hamstring muscles are in a lengthened state in order to absorb the increased forces, decreasing injury rate and performance deficits (Schmitt, Tyler & McHugh 2012). The purpose of this study was to determine if the intervention of an eccentric hamstring strengthening program would increase peak torque production in eccentric and concentric hamstring and quadriceps movements in Division I Men and Women Varsity soccer players.

Participants included 8 Division I soccer athletes (3 men, 5 women, mean age = 19.3 years (men) and 19.4 years (women), mean height = …

Influence Of Various Pre-Exercise Routines On Vertical Jump Performance, Vladislav Milanovic

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the influence of three different pre-exercise routines (jogging, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation in addition to jogging (PNFJ), and whole body vibration (WBV)) on vertical jump (VJ) performance. Twelve physically active, collegiate males between the ages of 18-24 years were recruited to participate. The subjects performed four VJ tests on four nonconsecutive days with a control VJ being performed on the first day and the three remaining VJ performed after each of the pre-exercise routines that were conducted in random order. The jogging pre-exercise routine lasted 5 minutes at light to moderate …

Effects Of Postactivation Potentiation Succeeding Glute Bridge Exercise On Multiple Jump Performance In Recreationally Trained Individuals, Anthony Warpecha

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to test multiple jump performance subsequent to glute bridges performed with and without whole body vibration (WBV). Multiple jump performance was assessed via a four-hop test to examine average jump height, ground contact time, and the explosive leg power factor. Twenty recreationally active subjects, ages 18-42, with more than one year of consistent recreational resistance training experience participated. Prior to testing, one familiarization session took place that involved explanation of procedures. This included practice of glute bridging on the vibration plate and the multiple hop performance test. After the familiarization session, two testing sessions …

Impact Of A Flame Resistant Synthetic Material Base Layer On Heat Stress Factors, Matthew C. Dorton

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Protective clothing worn by wildland firefighters (WLFF) may increase physiological strain and heat stress factors due to increased insulation and decreased ventilation. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of a flame resistant synthetic material base layer on heat stress factors. METHODS: Ten recreationally active males (25 ± 6.1 yrs, 80.9 ± 8.4 kg, 11.1 ± 5.3% fat, 4.4 ± 0.6 L·min-1 VO2 max) completed two trials of intermittent (50 min walking, 10 min sitting) treadmill walking (4km/hr, 4% grade) over 3 hours in a hot, dry environment (35⁰C, 30% rh). Participants wore standard WLFF Nomex green pants, Nomex yellow shirt with …

Healthy Eating And Physical Activity Environmental And Policy Assessment – Measurement Issues And Implications, Rahma Jamea Yousef Ajja

Theses and Dissertations

Current research has suggested that supportive healthy eating and physical activity (HEPA) policy and practice environments play a significant role in shaping the physical activity levels and eating habits of youth. Subsequently, a wide array of audit tools assessing policy and practice environment characteristics across settings that care for youth were developed. However, the extent that available audit tools accurately reflect the policy environment characteristics of the settings that care for the youth population remains unknown. Therefore, this dissertation encompasses four studies. The purpose of the first study was to examine the measurement properties of audit tools currently in use …

The Recovery Of Gut Barrier Function With Selenium Rich Diet In Acute Dss-Induced Colitis, Sarah Depaepe

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Acute Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis is an inflammatory ailment limited to the colon. It works to destroy the morphology and gut barrier goblet and epithelial cells that aid in providing homeostasis. Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and is known to play a role in reducing inflammation in areas elsewhere in the body. The current study is focused on how Se alters gut barrier permeability and functionality related to the recovery of tight junction regulation and mucin secretion. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were randomly placed into control (normal water) and 2% DSS water …

Correlations Between White Matter Integrity, Structural Connectivity, And Upper And Lower Extremity Motor Function In Individuals With Chronic Stroke, Denise M. Peters

Theses and Dissertations

Great variability is seen in the clinical manifestation of and recovery from stroke. Structural abnormalities often extend beyond the infarction site, indirectly affecting nonlesioned areas which can further contribute to motor deficits. Advances in neuroimaging have enabled the examination of white matter integrity and anatomical connectivity within the brain. Evidence is limited, however, regarding the relationship between the structural integrity and connectivity of primary and secondary motor tracts/brain regions and chronic upper and (especially) lower extremity motor impairments post-stroke. Therefore, the current study examined the relationship between upper/lower extremity motor impairments and structural integrity (Aim 1) and connectivity (Aim 2) …

Factors Influencing Level Of Implementation Of Physical Activity Interventions In Youth-Serving Organizations, Yuen Yan Lau

Theses and Dissertations

In the past decade, numerous interventions have been developed and tested to increase physical activity in children and adolescents. Among these interventions, those that reported higher levels of program implementation appear to have better program outcomes. However, relatively little is known about the specific factors that contributed to successful implementation in youth physical activity interventions. The overall purpose of this dissertation was to identify a set of core factors that are most important in explaining implementation of physical activity interventions in youth-serving settings. Three studies, an expert panel study and two prospective observational studies, were conducted to address the purpose …

The Acute Effects Of Multiple Resisted Sled-Pull Loads On Subsequent Sprint-Running Performances, Carl Stephen Crouse

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Sled-pulling is a commonly implemented form of training for various sports. However, few studies have used sled-pulling as a means of acutely enhancing sprintrunning performances. The purpose of this study was to investigate how various sledpulling resistance loads (95% and 110% of body mass) effect subsequent, unloaded, sprint-running performances, possibly with aid from the effect known as Post-Activation Potentiation (PAP). PAP is a physiological phenomenon which increases the rate of force development of skeletal muscle which may result in the enhancement of power (speed-strength) dominant activities such as sprint-running and jumping.

Participants were a mix of males (n = 11; …

Lean Body Mass Associated With Upper Body Strength In Healthy Older Adults While Higher Body Fat Limits Lower Extremity Performance And Endurance, Karen Charlton, Marijka Batterham, Kelly Langford, Jenna Lateo, Erin Brock, Karen Walton, Philipa Lyons-Wall, Katie Eisenhauer, Nick Green, Cameron Mclean

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Impaired strength adversely influences an older person’s ability to perform activities of daily living. A cross-sectional study of 117 independently living men and women (age = 73.4 ± 9.4 year; body mass index (BMI) = 27.6 ± 4.8 kg/m2) aimed to assess the association between body composition and: (1) upper body strength (handgrip strength, HGS); (2) lower extremity performance (timed up and go (TUG) and sit to stand test (STS)); and (3) endurance (6-minute walk (SMWT). Body composition (% fat; lean body mass (LBM)) was assessed using bioelectrical impedance. Habitual physical activity was measured using the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical …

The Acute Effect Of A Mandibular Repositioning Appliance On Force Production During An Isometric Clean Pull In Recreationally Trained Males, Daniel L. Hartman

Honors Theses

The use of a performance mouthpiece may cause notable performance changes in an isometric mid-thigh clean pull (iMTCP) due to altered muscular force production. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of wearing various mouthpieces coupled with a clenching of the jaw on iMTCP force production. Three recreationally trained college-aged males (Age: 26.67 ± 2.89) volunteered to participate in three testing sessions separated by one week each. In the three sessions, the subject performed repetitions of an iMTCP under the following conditions: performance mouthpiece with jaw clenched (PMP-JC), performance mouthpiece with no clench (PMP-NC), traditional mouthpiece with …

Different Warm Up Protocols On Immediate Golf Drive Performance In Recreational Golfers, Emily Travis

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

"It has been recommended that golfers perform a warm up routine before playing. Currently, the optimal warm up routine to improve performance of a maximal golf drive is not clear, however, research does recommend active-dynamic stretching as opposed to static stretching during warm up. Currently, there have been no studies conducted using recreational golfers to research functional resistance exercises towards immediate performance of golf. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of three different warm up protocols in recreational golfers on immediate golf performance of a maximal golf drive by measuring maximum club head speed (MCHS), maximal …

Aerobic And Resistance Training Improves Mood State Among Adults Living With Hiv., Jason R. Jaggers, Gregory A. Hand, Wesley D. Dudgeon, Stephanie Burgess, Kenneth D. Phillips, Larry Durstine, Steven N. Blair

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of combined aerobic and resistance exercise training among self-reported mood disturbances, perceived stress, frequency of self-reported symptoms, and symptom distress in a sample of HIV+ adults. For this purpose, 49 participants were randomly assigned into an exercise (EX) or control (CON) group. Those in the EX group completed 50 min of supervised aerobic and resistance training at a moderate intensity twice a week for 6 weeks. The CON group reported to the university and engaged in sedentary activities. Data were collected at baseline before randomization and 6 weeks post intervention. …

Influence Of Directional Loading On The Metabolic Demands Of Running In A Lower-Limb Positive Pressure Treadmill, Brendan J. Rickert, Beau K. Greer, Matthew F. Moran

Exercise Science Faculty Publications

No previous scientific investigation has studied the influence of either increasing or decreasing levels of body weight (BW) support on oxygen consumption (VO2) while running in reduced BW conditions via a differential air pressure (DAP) treadmill. Moran et al. found rate of perceived exertion to be higher at the same BW conditions when moving from high BW support to low BW support but did not quantify the findings with VO2. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to both define the physiological changes, if any and perceived efforts, if any, between unloading and loading subjects on DAP treadmill to define …

Gender Differences In Social Support During Injury Rehabilitation, Chelsey Ann Bruns

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Athletic injury can be a stress-inducing event that could have negative consequences on the psychological health of the athlete (Anderson & Williams, 1988; Gould, Udry, Bridges, & Beck, 1997). Injuries not only challenge the athlete physically, but also mentally challenge their ability to cope and overcome. A growing amount of research has indicated social support as a key factor in the rehabilitation process for an injured athlete (Yang, Peek, Lowe, Heiden, & Foster, 2010). Athletic injury causes an emotional disruption, and social support could influence the athlete’s reaction to the injury and his or her ability to cope with rehabilitation …

Outcomes Of The Rope Skipping 'Star' Programme For Schoolchildren, Amy S. Ha, Angus Bernett, Raymond Sum, Nikola Medic, Johan Y.Y. Ng

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Physical activity in children and adolescents is on a decline trend. To this end, we conducted a matched-pair randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of a 4-week STAR (School-based; Train-the-trainer; Accessibility of resources; Recreational) skipping programme. 1,386 schoolchildren from 20 primary and secondary schools were recruited. Schools were randomized into the experimental or wait-list control group. Participants self-reported their health-related quality of life using the KIDSCREEN-27. Accelerometers were used to measure the time a subgroup of participants (n = 480) spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during school hours on five consecutive days. Measures were taken at pre- and post-test. …

A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Strength Training In Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis Or Parkinson Disease, Travis M. Cruickshank, Alvaro R. Reyes, Melanie R. Ziman

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Strength training has, in recent years, been shown to be beneficial for people with Parkinson disease and multiple sclerosis. Consensus regarding its utility for these disorders nevertheless remains contentious among healthcare professionals. Greater clarity is required, especially in regards to the type and magnitude of effects as well as the response differences to strength training between individuals with Parkinson disease or multiple sclerosis. This study examines the effects, magnitude of those effects, and response differences to strength training between patients with Parkinson disease or multiple sclerosis. A comprehensive search of electronic databases including Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane …

A Preliminary Investigation Into The Relationship Between Functional Movement Screen Scores And Athletic Physical Performance In Female Team Sport Athletes, R.G. Lockie, A.B. Schultz, Samuel J. Callaghan, C.A. Jordan, T.M. Luczo, M.D. Jeffriess

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

There is little research investigating relationships between the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and athletic performance in female athletes. This study analyzed the relationships between FMS (deep squat; hurdle step [HS]; in-line lunge [ILL]; shoulder mobility; active straight-leg raise [ASLR]; trunk stability push-up; rotary stability) scores, and performance tests (bilateral and unilateral sit-and-reach [flexibility]; 20-m sprint [linear speed]; 505 with turns from each leg; modified T-test with movement to left and right [change-of-direction speed]; bilateral and unilateral vertical and standing broad jumps; lateral jumps [leg power]). Nine healthy female recreational team sport athletes (age = 22.67 ± 5.12 years; height = …

Altitude Exposure At 1800 M Increases Haemoglobin Mass In Distance Runners, Laura A. Gravican-Lewis, Iona Halliday, Chris R. Abbiss, Philo U. Saunders, Christopher P.J. Gore

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The influence of low natural altitudes (< 2000 m) on erythropoietic adaptation is currently unclear, with current recommendations indicating that such low altitudes may be insufficient to stimulate significant increases in haemoglobin mass (Hb_mass). As such, the purpose of this study was to determine the influence of 3 weeks of live high, train high exposure (LHTH) at low natural altitude (i.e. 1800 m) on Hb_mass, red blood cell count and iron profile. A total of 16 elite or well-trained runners were assigned into either a LHTH (n = 8) or CONTROL (n = 8) group. Venous blood samples were drawn prior to, at 2 weeks and at 3 weeks following exposure. Hb_mass was measured in duplicate prior to exposure and at 2 …

Hip Abductors And Thigh Muscles Strength Ratios And Their Relation To Electromyography Amplitude During Split Squat And Walking Lunge Exercises, Petr Stastny, James J. Tufano, Michal Lehnert, Artur Golas, Amr Zaatar, Zuzana Xaverova, Adam Maszczyk

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: The hip abductors (HAB), quadriceps (Q) and hamstrings (H) reciprocal strength ratios are predictors of electromyography (EMG) amplitude during load carrying walking at moderate intensity. Therefore, these strength ratios might predict also the EMG during the exercises as walking lunge (WL) or split squat (SSq) at submaximal intensity. Objective: To determine whether the EMG amplitude of vastus mediali (VM), vastus laterali (VL), biceps femoris (BF) and gluteus medius (Gmed) is associated with muscle strength ratio during SSqs and WLs. To determine whether the EMG amplitude differs between individuals with HAB/H ratio above and below one and between individuals with …

Attenuation Of Indirect Markers Of Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage By Curcumin, Yoko Tanabe, Seiji Maeda, Nobuhiko Akazawa, Asako Zempo-Miyaki, Youngju Choi, Song-Gyu Ra, Atsushi Imaizumi, Yoshihiko Otsuka, Kazunori Nosaka

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose: Polyphenolic curcumin is known to have potent anti-inflammatory effects; thus the present study investigated the hypothesis that curcumin ingestion would attenuate muscle damage after eccentric exercise. Methods: Fourteen untrained young men (24 ± 1 years) performed 50 maximal isokinetic (120°/s) eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors of one arm on an isokinetic dynamometer and the same exercise with the other arm 4 weeks later. They took 150 mg of curcumin (theracurmin) or placebo (starch) orally before and 12 h after each eccentric exercise bout in a randomised, crossover design. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque of the elbow flexors, range …

A Comparison Of Two Gluteus Maximus Emg Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction Positions, Bret Contreras, Andrew D. Vigotsky, Chris Beardsley, John B. Cronin

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background. The purpose of this study was to compare the peak electromyography (EMG) of the most commonly-used position in the literature, the prone bent-leg (90°) hip extension against manual resistance applied to the distal thigh (PRONE), to a novel position, the standing glute squeeze (SQUEEZE). Methods. Surface EMG electrodes were placed on the upper and lower gluteus maximus of thirteen recreationally active females (age = 28.9 years; height = 164 cm; body mass = 58.2 kg), before three maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) trials for each position were obtained in a randomized, counterbalanced fashion. Results. No statistically significant (p …