Exercise Science Commons^™

The Impact Of Judo On Aggressive Behaviors In Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Paola Rivera

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week judo program on lifestyle habits and behavior in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). METHODS: Participants included 25 children (ages 8-17), with a formal diagnosis of ASD. The sample participated in an 8-week judo program (45 minutes, 1x week), with measures taken at baseline and at the end of the 8-weeks. In order to assess activity levels and sleep quality, participants were instructed to wear Actigraph GT9X Accelerometers for 7 days and nights. In order to assess behavioral changes, parents were given the ABC survey to fill …

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Is Associated With Lipids In Postmenopausal Women, Corinna Serviente, Tomi-Pekka Tuomainen, Jyrki Virtanen, Sarah Witkowski, Leo Niskanen, Elizabeth Bertone-Johnson

Exercise and Sport Studies: Faculty Publications

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relation between FSH and lipid levels in postmenopausal women from the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study.

Methods: Postmenopausal women (n = 588) aged 53 to 73 years and not using hormone therapy were included. The relation between FSH and total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TGs) was evaluated using linear regression, adjusting for estradiol, body mass, smoking, and other hormonal and lifestyle factors. The relation between FSH, dyslipidemia, and abnormal lipid levels were also evaluated.

Results: FSH was positively and linearly …

The Effects Of A 10-Week Judo Program On Cortisol And Stress In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Justine Renziehausen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often have increased levels of stress, leading to dysregulated production of cortisol. Elevated levels of cortisol have numerous known adverse health consequences, and therefore, interventions should be established to help attenuate cortisol production. As judo combines physical activity and mindfulness practice, it may aid in stress reduction and decreased levels of cortisol. Purpose: To examine the effects of a 10-week judo program on stress reactions and salivary cortisol levels in youth with ASD. Methods: 20 children with ASD participated in the 10-week judo program. Changes in acute (before and after one judo session) …

Kinetic And Kinematic Characteristics Of Accentuated Eccentric Loading, John Wagle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The current investigation was an examination of the kinetic and kinematic characteristics of the back squat using accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) and cluster set programming strategies. Trained male subjects (age = 26.1 ± 4.1 years, height = 183.5 ± 4.3 cm, body mass = 92.5 ± 10.5 kg, back squat to body mass ratio = 1.8 ± 0.3) volunteered to complete four different load condition sessions involving traditionally loaded straight sets (TL), traditionally loaded cluster sets (TLC), AEL cluster sets (AEC), and AEL straight sets where only the first repetition of each set used eccentric overload (AEL1). The use of …

The Impact Of Power Training On Balance And Visual Feedback Removal, Juliana Bouton

Senior Honors Theses

Because power training has been known to augment stability, the purpose of this study was to assess whether the removal of visual input affects lower limb muscle power production in young women who are resistance trained to the same degree it affects the untrained. This provided insight as far as the need for resistance training protocols in a largely untrained visually impaired population. To study this, fourteen college-aged female participants (18-23 years) performed a seated double-leg press on a leg sled machine, isolating power production of the lower limbs. After establishing baselines, which involved finding an average of power produced …

The Effects Of Teacrine® And Caffeine On Endurance And Cognitive Performance During A Simulated Match In High-Level Soccer Players, Marissa L. Bello, Alan J. Walker, Bridget A. Mcfadden, David J. Sanders, Shawn M. Arent Ph.D., Cscs*D, Fissn, Facsm, Fnak

Faculty Publications

Background: Theacrine (1,3,7,9-tetramethyluric-acid) is a pure alkaloid with a similar structure to caffeine and acts comparably as an adenosine receptor antagonist. Early studies have shown non-habituating effects, including increases in energy and focus in response to Teacrine®, the compound containing pure theacrine. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the effects of Teacrine® and caffeine on cognitive performance and time-to-exhaustion during a simulated soccer game in high-level male and female athletes. Methods: Male and female soccer players (N = 24; M Age = 20.96 ± 2.05y, M MaleVO2max = 55.31 ± 3.39 mL/O 2 /kg, M FemaleVO2max …

Impact Of Heart Rate Intensity On Shooting Accuracy During Games In Ncaa Division I Women Basketball Players, James Hutson, Courtney Elliott, Casey Pederson

Undergraduate Research Conference

Shooting accuracy in basketball is key to winning games. While there are various factors as to why a team either makes or misses their shots, the intensity of play is likely a contributing factor. A player who has played the majority of the game would likely have a higher, more intense heart rate (HR). Depending on the athlete, this could impact shooting accuracy. Examining the relationship between HR intensity and shooting accuracy has not been looked at in a real game setting before. Therefore, we set out to determine the impact heart rate intensity has on shooting accuracy in a …

The Relationship Between Objective And Subjective Markers Of Training Stress In Ncaa Division I Women Basketball Players, Casey Pederson, Courtney Elliott, James Hutson

Undergraduate Research Conference

An athlete’s training stress score (TSS) is an objective marker of overall training volume and can be determined by tracking total time spent at specific heart rate (HR) zones. Additionally, an athlete’s power factor (PF) or explosive strength is an important marker of performance and can be measured objectively with power testing equipment. While these measures of training stress and performance are important, a coach with limited resources may not have access to the equipment or expertise to measure these variables. On a subjective level, perceived recovery status (PRS) prior to practice and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during …

Comparison Of Heart Rate Intensity In Practice, Conditioning, And Games In Ncaa Division I Women Basketball Players, Courtney Elliott, Casey Pederson, James Hutson

Undergraduate Research Conference

Background: An athlete’s heart rate (HR) is an important variable in quantifying the intensity of exercise. Workouts that increase HR are an important stimulus for training adaptations and conditioning. At other times, workouts that do not overly stress the HR may be desired to allow for recovery. The principle of specificity emphasizes that athletes should train specific to the way they will need to perform in competition. Because of this, monitoring HR during training and competition can be a useful tool. While exercise intensity in endurance sports has been previously investigated, less is known regarding the HR response in team …

Moderating Effect Of The Neighborhood Physical Activity Environment On The Relation Between Psychosocial Factors And Physical Activity In Children: A Longitudinal Study, Natalie Colabianchi, Morgan N. Clennin, Marsha Dowda, Kerry L. Mciver, Rod K. Dishman, Dwayne E. Porter, Russell R. Pate

Faculty Publications

Background Few studies have examined the moderating role of neighbourhood environments on the relation between psychosocial factors and physical activity, and results of these studies are mixed. This study examined this relationship in 636 fifth to seventh graders from South Carolina, USA.

Methods From 2010 to 2013, children and their parent/guardian completed annual self-reported surveys assessing psychosocial factors, and children wore accelerometers for 1 week each year. Neighbourhood environments were classified as supportive or non-supportive for physical activity (PA) based on in-person audits of facilities near children’s homes and windshield surveys of children’s streets. Growth curve analyses were completed to …

Seasonal Changes In Sleep, Rpe, And Scoring Percentage In Division One Collegiate Female Basketball Players, Lindsay Perrin, Dr. Stephen Rossi

Honors College Theses

Basketball season occurs over several months and involves heavy traveling, training, competing, and scholarly duties. These demands do not allow much time for rest and recovery. A lack in the quantity and quality of sleep can reduce the ability to manage stress and reduce recovery from training and competition. This can affect the health and well-being of the athlete and their success on the court. In college, sleep schedules may change from high school by staying up later and sleeping in more. College students typically sleep between six and seven hours a night which is less than the recommended nine …

The Effect Of Exercise On Menopausal Women, Audry Holman, Barbara Mcclaskey

Posters

The purpose of this research is to identify if the negative physical and physiological symptoms of menopause are decreased in menopausal women who exercise compared to menopausal women who do not exercise. There are many negative symptoms of menopause including an increase in waist circumference, hot flashes, and weight gain. Exercise is a non-pharmacological way to decrease some of these symptoms that women experience when going through menopause. Multiple studies show that exercise decreases the risk of osteoporosis, body fat, waist circumference, triglyceride levels, and depressive symptoms in menopausal women. The studies also show that exercise increases quality of life, …

Individual Differences Influence Exercise Behavior: How Personality, Motivation, And Behavioral Regulation Vary Among Exercise Mode Preferences, Allyson G. Box, Yuri Feito, Chris Brown, Steven J. Petruzzello

Faculty Articles

Personality traits, participatory motives, and behavior regulation have been linked to physical activity engagement. It is possible that these dimensions are associated with the type of physical activity one chooses to engage. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine individual differences in those participating in various primary modes of physical activity (PMA) and determine which individual differences are predictive of exercise frequency. Methods 403 adults (36.3 ± 11.6 yrs, 35.5% male) completed an online survey. The survey included questions related to their PMA, items for the Big Five Inventory (BFI), Exercise Motivation Inventory (EMI-2), and the Behavioral Regulation …

Modifiable Factors That Influence Infant Motor Development At 4 Months And 12 Months Of Age, Lauren Miller

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

INTRODUCTION: The choices a mother makes during pregnancy (diet and exercise) and postpartum (environmental stimuli, sleeping situation, feeding practices) could influence a child’s motor skills immediately after birth and into childhood. The objective of this experiment is twofold: 1) to determine factors that may influence infant motor development scores at 4 and 12 months of age, and 2) to determine whether infant motor scores at 4 months of age predict infant motor scores at 12 months of age. METHODS: Infant motor development was assessed by a pediatric physical therapist using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (4 months) and the Peabody …

Effects Of Evidence-Based Materials And Access To Local Resources On Physical Activity During Pregnancy, Kolbi Edens

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Physical activity (PA) during pregnancy has been shown to be safe and effective for improving maternal and infant health; however, only 23% of pregnant women exercise in accordance with guidelines. PURPOSE: To determine if the distribution of evidence-based educational resources as well as access to community resources will increase PA levels as well as knowledge/beliefs about PA during pregnancy. METHODS: Participants (8-12 weeks) completed assessments concerning their activity levels, as well as knowledge/beliefs regarding PA, during pregnancy. Next, participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention (IG) or control group (CG). The IG received educational information regarding PA during pregnancy, …

Effects Of Seated Load Carriage On Mobility, Jamilia Almonte

Health Sciences Student Work

Research has determined significant health detriments associated with sitting for extended periods of time, including chronic disease risk, pain, and mobility. Additionally, although it is not researched commonly, sitting is an essential component of job related tasks for tactical professionals such as military, police and firefighters. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between seated load carriage and dynamic mobility. METHODS: Eighteen recreationally active Merrimack College Students (age: 23.33 +/- 1.45 yr) participated in the randomized, within groups, crossover study. All subjects completed a total of three study visits which consisted of a …

The Effects Of Hip-Dominant Post-Activation Potentiation On Broad Jump Performance In Varsity Collegiate Football Players, Trevor Bradley-Dade

Health Sciences Student Work

(1) Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the acute effects of hipdominant eccentric post-activation potentiation (PAP) on broad jump distance, through the usage of dynamic (concentric) tempo and eccentric tempo conventional straight bar switch grip deadlifts. This study hypothesized that the experimental eccentric tempo deadlift protocol would result in greater improvements to broad jump performance than the experimental dynamic or control protocols. (2) Methods: Twenty-four varsity football players from Tufts University aged 18-22 years were recruited. Participants were assigned into three groups and cycled through one control protocol and two experimental protocols, over the course of three …

Pertinacity Spring Volume 5 Issue 10, Courteney L. Benjamin

Pertinacity

Pertinacity is a biannual magazine that features stories and reports on recent Korey Stringer Institute's initiatives.

Observation And Self-Report Of Fun And Social Engagement Of Nursing Home Residents During Bingocize®, Lauren Rene Stevens

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Individuals in certified nursing facilities (CNF) often experience social isolation and have limited opportunities to exercise. Bingocize®, an evidence-based healthpromotion program, is a combination of exercise and Bingo and provides opportunities for CNF resident interaction. Limited tools are available to quantify social engagement displayed by nursing home residents. Research suggests that intergenerational programming can positively affect social engagement. The present pilot study focused on the implementation of the Fun and Social Engagement (FUSE) evaluation to measure social engagement displayed by nursing home residents during Bingocize® sessions. The FUSE combined observation and self-report measures to yield a total social engagement score. …

Randomized Pilot Trial For A Community-Based Group Stretching Exercise Program For Chronic Low Back Pain, Marc Brodsky, Ann Hansen, Wendy Bjerke

Exercise Science Faculty Publications

Background: Authors of meta-analyses concluded that exercise therapy appears to be slightly effective at decreasing pain and improving function in adults with chronic low back pain (CLBP), particularly in health-care populations. Similar to health-care settings, community organizations provide wellness and lifestyle modification programs. Different versions of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Y’s Way to a Healthy Back program were offered from 1974 to 2004. Champions of the YMCA program and authors of the pilot study designed a Healthy Back Curriculum to update and reintroduce the program. Objective: The research aim of this randomized pilot trial was to investigate the …

Common Habits, Adverse Events, And Opinions Regarding Pre-Workout Supplement Use Among Regular Consumers, Andrew R. Jagim, Clayton L. Camic, Patrick S. Harty

Faculty Scholarship

The purpose of the present study was to examine characteristics of multi-ingredient pre-workout supplement (MIPS) users, their common patterns/habits of MIPS ingestion, and their associated feelings about the effectiveness and safety of this class of supplements. An online electronic survey was distributed through social media to assess self-reported supplementation practices and preferences among adult males and females who reported regular MIPS use. A total of 1045 individuals responded, with 872 of these individuals (males: n = 636, 72.9%; females: n = 233, 26.7%; mean ± SD; age = 27.7 ± 7.9 years; training age = 8.2 ± 7.3 years) completing …

Identification Of Factors Contributing To Musculoskeletal Injuries In Military Basic Trainees, Amy Fraley Hand

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the physical activity requirements of the United States (U.S.) Armed Forces, there is a concerning incidence rate of musculoskeletal injuries in military personnel. In the basic trainee population specifically, multiple studies have reported a range of exercise- related injury incidence from 14% to 42% in males and 27% to 61.7% in females. Depending on the severity, these injuries can exclude basic trainees from participation, ultimately altering career trajectory and creating the possibility of long-term disability. The studies of this dissertation examine variations in muscle strength, flexibility, and dynamic postural control as a means to identify those basic trainees …

Effect Of Cuff Pressure On Blood Flow During Blood Flow-Restricted Rest And Exercise, Kent Westerberg Crossley

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the blood flow/pressure relationship (linear or nonlinear) in the superficial femoral artery when seated, as well as to investigate blood flow changes with exercise using varying cuff pressures and a preexercise (PE) condition. The presence of venous outflow with occlusion at rest and exercise was also investigated.Methods: Twenty-three subjects visited the lab on 3 occasions. First to determine linearity of blood flow using 0% to 90% arterial occlusion pressure (AOP), and venous outflow at rest and during exercise with cuff inflated to 40% AOP. Subsequent visits compared blood flow between rest …

Effect Of Trb3 On Skeletal Muscle Mass Regulation And Exercise-Induced Adaptation, Ran Hee Choi

Theses and Dissertations

Skeletal muscle, which composes over 40% of body mass, is responsible for daily locomotion and energy metabolism. It is a malleable tissue that can adapt its structure and function in response to internal and external environmental stimuli. Changing muscle mass and energy substrate utilization is a common skeletal muscle adaptation in response to various pathological conditions, including type 2 diabetes and obesity. Failure to maintain skeletal muscle mass and function has been correlated with increasing morbidity and mortality, as well as poor quality of life. Hence, maintenance of skeletal muscle integrity is a recommended strategy in achieving better quality of …

The Regulation Of Skeletal Muscle Fatigue During The Progression Of Cancer Cachexia, Brandon N. Vanderveen

Theses and Dissertations

Cachexia is the unintentional loss of body weight secondary to chronic disease and is prevalent is roughly 50% of cancer patients. The loss of body weight and skeletal muscle mass is reduced functional capacity associated with reduced life quality. The etiology of cachexia is multimodal and complex; however, cachexia has been linked to several systemic (e.g. chronic inflammation, hypogonadism, anemia, insulin resistance) and behavioral (e.g. anorexia, inactivity) changes that can compound to accelerate muscle mass and body weight loss. While several inflammatory cytokines are associated with cachexia’s disease progression, our laboratory has established that Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a key regulator …

Be Your Best S.E.L.F., Rachel Wood, Casey Hasenbein

Senior Theses

The goal of our thesis was to use our knowledge as Exercise Science students and personal trainers to improve the health of an underserved population in South Carolina. We created a voluntary exercise and self-defense program for the girls residing at Epworth Children’s Home. The program began on October 1, 2018 and concluded on April 29, 2019 with data collecting taking place between October 8th and March 18th. Every other week SASS Defense taught their self-defense program, and on the alternating weeks we facilitated an exercise class. The program also included a mentorship aspect to create a supportive social environment …

High Intensity Functional Training (Hift) And Competitions: How Motives Differ By Length Of Participation, Allyson G. Box, Yuri Feito, Chris Brown, Katie M. Heinrich

Faculty Articles

High Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) is a unique fitness method that promotes an active lifestyle and has seen exponential and continual growth over the last two decades. Motivation to exercise is likely to change over time as individuals’ motives to initiate exercise may be different than those which motivate them to maintain an exercise program. The purpose of this study was to examine the motivational factors reported by individuals who actively engage in HIFT with varying length of participation and competition levels. 737 adults (32.4 ± 8.2 years) with more than three-months of HIFT experience completed an online version of …

Group-Based Physical Activity Trajectories In Children Transitioning From Elementary To High School, Russell R. Pate, Michaela A. Schenkelberg, Marsha Dowda, Kerry L. Mciver

Faculty Publications

Background

Physical activity has been observed repeatedly to decline as children transition into adolescence; however, few studies have explored the possibility that sub-groups of children experience unique patterns of change during this transition. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine the physical activity trajectories in clusters of youth transitioning from 5th to 11th grade.

Methods

Participants (n = 652) were recruited as 5th graders (ages 10–12 years) from elementary schools (n = 21) in two school districts. Demographic, anthropometric, and physical activity data were collected once per year when children were in 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, and 11th …

Current Athletic Training Educational Preparation For Dry Needling, Brian V. Hortz, Sue Falsone, Duncan Tulimieri

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Purpose: Dry needling is an advanced practice skill that many athletic trainers are being trained to perform. The purpose of this study is to determine the degree to which the current athletic training educational competencies and standards prepare practitioners for the performance of dry needling tasks. Methods: An expert panel review was used to verify which of the dry needling tasks are currently taught through entry-level athletic education as defined by the 5^th edition competencies and 2020 standards. Results: Results demonstrated that 11% of the tasks were dry needling specific and these were regarded as not provided through entry-level …

Commentary: The Use Of Case-Based Learning And Concept Mapping To Teach Students Clinical Reasoning, Jeremy R. Hawkins, Michael Reeder, Michael Olson, Amy Bronson

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Introduction: Teaching students as inexperienced clinicians the process of evaluating athletic injuries and medical conditions is often challenging. Utilizing case-based learning and concept mapping as educational tools can facilitate growth in the clinical and diagnostic decision making process. Discussion: Experienced clinicians regularly employ case pattern recognition and hypothetico-deductive reasoning in clinical settings. Each type of reasoning is prone to anchoring and confirmation bias, devaluing relevant information, and framing effect if not utilized correctly. Classroom instructors and preceptors can use case-based learning and concept mapping to help students as inexperienced clinicians organize their thinking and more effectively apply their …