Exercise Science Commons^™

Examining Minority Youth Swimmers’ Versus Non-Swimmers’ Perceptions Of Swimming Involvement, Timothy M. Dasinger, Laura L. Brown, Ashton J. Sawyers

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in youth, especially among minority populations (Gilchrest & Parker, 2014). According to the World Health Organization (2014), every hour of every day approximately 42 people lose their lives to drowning. Additionally, African-Americans are 14 times more likely to drown in a pool than other racial or ethnic group members (Waller & Norwood, 2011). The purpose of this study was to examine survey results between swimming and non-swimming minority youth participants. Forty African American students between the ages of 5-17 from an after-school program completed the Swimming Involvement Survey. Results indicated that …

Parental Perceptions Of Water Safety Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Amanda Casey Ph.D., Jennifer Blok, Katherine Vaughan, William O'Dwyer

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are twice as likely to die from unintentional drowning compared to same-age children without ASD emphasizing the importance of water-safety skills and knowledge. Yet little research has been published on perceptions of water safety for this population. The objective of the study was to investigate parental perceptions of water safety amongst children with ASD. An online questionnaire focusing on parental perceptions of water safety was distributed to parents of children with ASD associated with autism support groups across Canada. Forty-nine parents completed the self-report questionnaire with items related to demographics, swimming proficiency and lessons, …

The Athletic Gut Microbiota, Alex E. Mohr, Ralf Jäger, Katie C. Carpenter, Chad M. Kerksick, Martin Purpura, Jeremy R. Townsend, Nicholas P. West, Katherine Black, Michael Gleeson, David B. Pyne, Shawn D. Wells, Shawn M. Arent Ph.D., Cscs*D, Fissn, Facsm, Fnak, Richard B. Kreider, Bill I. Campbell, Laurent Bannock, Jonathan Scheiman, Craig J. Wissent, Marco Pane, Douglas S. Kalman, Jamie N. Pugh, Carmen P. Ortega-Santos, Jessica A. Ter Haar, Paul J. Arciero, Jose Antonio

Faculty Publications

The microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract play a significant role in nutrient uptake, vitamin synthesis, energy harvest, inflammatory modulation, and host immune response, collectively contributing to human health. Important factors such as age, birth method, antibiotic use, and diet have been established as formative factors that shape the gut microbiota. Yet, less described is the role that exercise plays, particularly how associated factors and stressors, such as sport/exercise-specific diet, environment, and their interactions, may influence the gut microbiota. In particular, high-level athletes offer remarkable physiology and metabolism (including muscular strength/power, aerobic capacity, energy expenditure, and heat production) compared to sedentary …

Swimming Past The Pandemic: Importance Of Evidence-Based Science, Stephen J. Langendorfer Ph.D.

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Swimming Past the Pandemic - URL included

The Partial Immersion Aquatic Approach Using Adjustable Weight Bearing To Improve Posture And Sitting Balance Adaptation For Children With Severe Cerebral Palsy, Niv Shelef

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

The innovative ‟Partial Immersion” Aquatic Therapy Approach was developed to enhance balance and posture during sitting adaptation for children with severe cerebral palsy who exhibit deficiency in those skills on land. Stable balance during sitting posture is one of the preconditions for hands function in activities of daily living. Aquatic skills learned during aquatic therapy were then transferred to a land environment. Therapy included the use of a treatment chair that enabled adjustable weight bearing in a series of 30 mm steps. A mixed-methods design employing a multiple case study approach (n=5) including quantitative and qualitative methods investigated the effectiveness …

Is Fitspiration Truly An Inspiration? How Social Media Accounts Dedicated To Fitness And Nutrition Affect Physical Activity Levels And Body Image Among College Students, Anna Bowles

Honors Theses

Fitspiration accounts on social media are established to influence those that view or follow them to live a healthier lifestyle. However, just because these accounts are being viewed does not mean that the individuals are following the advice of these influencers. The purpose of this study is to gather data on how physical activity levels and body image are affected by the use, or knowledge of “fitspiration,” or inspiration on fitness and nutrition, accounts on social media among students at the University of Mississippi. The participants were 361 undergraduate students between the ages of 18 and 25 at the University …

The Effects Of High-Intensity Acute Exercise On Implicit Memory And Face-Name Explicit Memory, Morgan Gilbert

Honors Theses

Objective: The majority of previous research evaluate the effects of acute exercise on memory function have focused on explicit memory tasks involving word-list paradigms. For more real-world application, the present experiment evaluates whether high-intensity acute exercise can improve implicit memory function as well as increase one’s ability to remember names associated with faces (face-name paradigm). Methods: A two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled intervention was employed. Participants (N=91; M_age= 20 yrs) were randomized into one of two groups, including an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group exercised for 20 minutes on a treadmill at a high-intensity …

Acute Exercise On Prospective Memory Function: Open Vs. Closed Skilled Exercise, Grace Burnett

Honors Theses

Background: Accumulating research suggests that acute exercise may enhance memory function. Limited research, however, has evaluated whether the movement patterns of acute exercise may have a differential effect on memory. Such an effect is plausible, as research demonstrates that open-skilled exercise (e.g., racquetball) may have a greater effect on memory-related neurotrophins (e.g., brain - derived neurotrophic factors) when compared to closed-skilled exercise (e.g. treadmill exercise). A key distinction between open- and closed-skilled exercise is that open-skilled exercises are those that require an individual to react in a dynamic way to a changing, unpredictable environment. The purpose of this study was …

Veridical And False Memory Performance As A Function Of The Timing Of High-Intensity Acute Exercise, Claire Sanderson

Honors Theses

Background: Our recent experimental work demonstrated that high-intensity acute exercise improved veridical (true) memories and also increased the rate of false memories. The present experiment was designed to re-evaluate these effects for replication purposes. We also extend this literature by evaluating whether these effects are influenced by the timing of acute exercise. Methods: The sample included young adults (N=37; M_age = 21.16 years). We employed a three-condition, within-group, counterbalanced controlled design, consisting of two exercise conditions and a control condition. The exercise conditions involved a 15-minute bout of high-intensity acute exercise. These conditions included the bout of …

Physiological And Perceptual Responses To Various Types Of Exercise, Jenna Thompson

Honors Theses

Previously, we found that variable-intensity exercise (VIIE) was more enjoyable than high-intensity interval exercise (HIIT), but the physiological stress was reduced. This study will examine exercise intensity, energy expenditure (EE), and perceptual responses during and after moderate-intensity exercise (MIE), HIIT, and VIIE. On separate days, the three work-matched bouts of exercise (MIE, HIIT, & VIIE) were randomized and performed. Oxygen consumption, heart rate (HR), and muscle oxygenation were collected over the entire bout for all conditions. OMNI ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and affect, via Feelings Scale, were measured in-exercise and enjoyment was measured post-exercise using the physical activity enjoyment …

Placebo-Induced Changes In Force Production For Types Of Muscle Contractions, Nicholas V. Antonacci

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Purpose: To test the impact of a placebo drink on acute force production during isometric and isokinetic leg extensions in male and female college students. Methods: Nine male and five female subjects apparently healthy and free of leg injury completed familiarization testing and two counterbalanced trials. In one trial, participants were told they were consuming a performance-enhancing drink, although the drink contained only flavoring. In the other trial, participants were not given any drink (control). Both trials then included concentric and eccentric strength tests performed at 60 degrees per second, and isometric strength tests with the knee at a 70 …

Relationship Between Muscular Strength And Balance In An Elderly Population, Mikayla N. Basil

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Purpose: To examine the association between grip strength, leg strength and balance test performance in elderly individuals.Methods: Fourmales and four females (average age = 72.8 ± 2.1 years, average height = 167.8 ± 9.4 cm, average weight = 74.8 ± 14.4 kg) participated in this study. Participants were administered the Berg Balance Test and assigned a score out of 56. They then performed a maximal grip strength test, and maximal isokinetic leg extension and flexion tests on their dominant leg to obtain peak torque. Correlations were calculated between all testing variables using Pearson correlation coefficients.Results: No significant correlations …

Effects Of Unilateral And Bilateral Squatting On Rotational Speed In Male And Female Collegiate Golfers, Emmett Van Der Snick

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Resistance training in combination with plyometrics and medicine ball routines has been shown to improve rotational speed and power. One area that has not been observed has been the difference between bilateral squatting and unilateral squatting on rotational speed. The purpose of the study was to observe the effects of unilateral and bilateral squatting on club head speed in collegiate golfers. Eight male and nine female collegiate golfers were randomly assigned to a unilateral squat group which was the experimental and a bilateral squat group which was the control group and participated in twelve training sessions over the course of …

The Impact Of Acute Exercise On Factor Viii In Young E-Cigarette Smokers, Andrew R. Allen

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Abstract

Background: There is a strong association between factor VIII (FVIII) and presence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Exercise is a known trigger for myocardial infarction, and the majority of ischemic events from physical stress occur due to an occlusive thrombus. FVIII increases acutely with exercise and remains elevated hours after exercise. Furthermore, FVIII is also higher in cigarette smokers, however, it has not been investigated in e-cigarette smokers. The purpose of this study is to identify potential differences in FVIII before exercise, after exercise, and its magnitude of change in e-cigarette users versus non-users.

Methods: Eighteen individuals (8 …

Swim Instruction For Individuals With Developmental Coordination Disorder, Susan J. Grosse

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Almost every swim teacher has encountered an individual who had difficulty learning to swim, whose movements appeared dissimilar from peers, or who needed to repeat swim course instructional levels many times. That individual might have had difficulty with sport activities, handwriting, and been clumsy in gross and fine motor tasks. Difficulty with coordination and control of movement may suggest a diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Individuals experiencing DCD may feel left out, inadequate, unhappy, frustrated, and embarrassed by his or her ineptness. These feelings may result in an individual withdrawing or refusing to join in and participate in physical …

Staff Training In Aquatics For Individuals With Disabilities: The Quest, Susan J. Grosse

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Trained instructors in general programs have the ability and resources to initiate and follow through with developing water safe individuals who are capable swimmers. Specific staff training to prepare individuals to facilitate aquatic participation for individuals with disabilities is currently extremely limited. The purpose of this article is to examine the barriers to specialized staff training in aquatics for individuals with disabilities, to suggest necessary staff training content, and to propose topics for further research in the area of staff training. Seeking development of quality staff training programs for those working in aquatics for individuals with disabilities is the quest.

The Effect Of Varying Fatty Acid Composition In A High-Fat Meal And Its Impact On Postprandial Airway Inflammation, Breanna L. Davidson

Masters Theses, 2020-current

The Western Diet is typically high in saturated fats (SF) or omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (O6FA) with insufficient amounts of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (O3FA). When chronic, this diet has been associated with an increased risk of respiratory diseases. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of varying the fatty acid composition of an acute High-Fat Meal (HFM) on postprandial airway inflammation. METHODS: Fifteen individuals [6 M, 9 F; body mass index (BMI) = 25.3 ± 6.6 kg/m²] consumed three HFM smoothies separated by at least 48 hours. The three smoothies were high in SF, O6FA, and O3FA …

Efficacy Of An Audio-Based Biofeedback Intervention To Modify Running Gait In Female Runners 2020, Sarah Rothstein

Master's Theses

Introduction: Gait retraining interventions are used to modify foot strike parameters associated with musculoskeletal injuries. Such interventions may prove beneficial if gait modifications are maintained long-term and provide a physiological performance benefit. Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether female recreational runners can use a smartphone decibel app to self-modify gait mechanics associated with injury. The secondary purpose was to determine if such gait modifications are retained beyond the initial training session. The tertiary purpose was to determine if such gait modifications were associated with improved running economy. Methods: The peak vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), …

The Relationship Between Sport Commitment With Off-Season Training Time And Previous In-Season Playing Time In College-Aged Soccer Players 2020., Luke Zuber

Master's Theses

Sport commitment is defined as “…the desire and resolve to continue sport participation” (Scanlan, Carpenter, Schmidt, Simons, & Keeler, 1993, p. 6). Since the first definition, the concept has been further refined to reflect a more multidimensional paradigm. Overall, sport commitment is thought to be comprised of the dimensions of enthusiastic commitment and constrained commitment (Scanlan, Chow, Sousa, Scanlan, & Knifsend, 2016). Those constructs can be broken down further to 12 subconstructs that are represented in the Sport Commitment – 2 (SC; Scanlan, Chow, Sousa, Scanlan, & Knifsend, 2016), in order to evaluate the source and level of an individual’s …

The Effect Of Attentional Focus Instructions On Single Leg Balance Performance 2020., Cory Monahan

Master's Theses

Balance and postural control exercises are often a part of exercise programs. During exercise programs, movement practitioners can provide instructions to facilitate performance and learning. Instructions can be used to direct attentional focus, which has been found to affect the performance and learning of motor skills, including balance and postural control tasks. However, no known studies to date have investigated the effect of both internal and external attentional focus instructions on static single leg balance performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of attentional focus instructions on static single leg balance performance as reflected by the …

The Effects Of Caffeine On Jumping Performance And Maximal Strength In Female Collegiate Athletes, Benjamin Burke, Kyle Travis, Henry Lang, Jeremy Gentles, Kimitake Sato, Caleb Bazyler

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: Caffeine has long been used to enhance athletic performance. The research regarding caffeine’s effects on strength and power performance is lacking, especially in female athletes. Purpose: To analyze the acute effects of caffeine on jumping performance and maximal strength in female collegiate athletes. Methods: Eight female collegiate athletes performed two testing sessions separated by one week. Using a double-blind approach, athletes randomly received 6 mg/kg of body mass of caffeine (CAF) or a placebo (PLA). Following 60min of quiet sitting and a standardized warm-up, athletes were tested on measures of squat jump height (SJH) and peak power (SJPP), countermovement …

Baseline Data Collection On The Overall Health Of First-Year Engineering Students At The University Of Arkansas, Braeley George

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Many factors contribute to college student's success both inside and outside of the classroom. Physical activity, mental health, sleep, and grit are key influences for academic achievement and retention. Exercise is Medicine (EIM) On Campus is part of a worldwide initiative through the American College of Sports Medicine that recognizes the importance of physical activity for health by both assessing and promoting physical activity to all students, faculty, and staff. The EIM survey is a tool for collecting general health information about a campus population, as it consists of questions on demographic information, health status, familial health history, diet choices, …

The Effectiveness Of A Fitness Mentoring Program On Life Skills In At-Risk Youth, Delaney Dunlap

Undergraduate Honors Theses

BACKGROUND: The Aspire program is an eight-week program for troubled youths around the Canberra, Australia community that is run by former Canberran of the year and Canberra Raiders Captain Alan Tongue. The program aims to build self-esteem, develop social skills, help teach the effects actions have on others, understand how practice and hard work provide support, give purpose in life, and teach other practical, lifelong skills. During the program, Alan uses a combination of various activities including fitness, teamwork, discussion, writing, and self-reflection to help youth see their potential. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the lasting …

El Baloncesto Es Vida: A Look Into Strength And Conditioning, Physical Therapy, And Coaching During My Internship Abroad, Jessica Doublesin

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: An experience abroad can help a person grow in confidence and knowledge and allow them to immerse themselves in a new culture. During my time in Valencia, Spain, I was able to work at a youth basketball club, CB L’Horta Godella, alongside the club’s strength and conditioning coaches and the physical therapist and be a coach for the young athletes. The fact that I lived with a Spanish family and had an open mindset towards making friends and exploring new things allowed me to grow closer to the culture in Spain. By using my knowledge and passion for sports …

Effects Of Pre-Workout Caffeine Supplementation On Post-Exercise Hypotension, Shelby L. Gibbs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Post-exercise hypotension (PEH) is believed to play a major role in the antihypertensive health benefits of exercise. While it has been shown that resistance exercise is effective at eliciting PEH, commonly consumed sports supplements may attenuate or completely eliminate that response. Caffeine, a popular stimulant, is often consumed prior to exercise. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of pre-workout caffeine supplementation on the post-exercise hypotensive response in adults with above normal blood pressure. Participants (n = 5) were recreationally resistance trained men and women who consumed placebo or caffeine (3 mg/kg bodyweight) 45-minutes prior to …

Effects Of Asthma On Lung Function, Aerobic Fitness, And Physical Activity Levels In Young Adults, Trey Deal

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Asthma is one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions in the United States. Research has shown that one form of asthma, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, is experienced by the overwhelming majority of individuals with the condition during physical activity, potentially causing fear and avoidance of physical activity in the future. Physical inactivity could have several negative health implications, including lower lung function and aerobic fitness levels. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare lung function, aerobic fitness, and physical activity levels between young adults with asthma to those without asthma. The hypothesis is that there will be a statistically …

An Analysis Of Perception Vs. Reality In Physical Fitness And The Effect Of Fitness Testing On Physical Activity In College Students, Sarah Schwartz

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background. There is limited knowledge on whether college students are as fit as they believe themselves to be, or if discovering discrepancies in their understanding of their fitness will impact their behavior. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine perceptions of fitness in college students and the effect fitness testing has on future behavior and intentions. Methodology. A sample of 28 undergraduates at the University of Arkansas, ages 18 to 25, were recruited to participate in an in-person fitness assessment during which, the five health-related components of fitness were measured. Prior to the assessment, participants were …

The Effects Of Machine-Weight And Free-Weight Resistance Exercise On Hemodynamics And Vascular Function, Erica M. Marshall, Jason C. Parks, Yu Lun Tai, J. Derek Kingsley

Health & Human Performance Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine hemodynamic and vascular responses between machine-weight and free-weight exercise. Resistance-trained individuals were assigned to a machine-weight (n = 13) or free-weight (n = 15) group. Groups completed two visits consisting of their assigned exercise condition and a control (CON). A 2 × 2 × 3 repeated measures ANOVA was used to test the effects of group across condition and time on the hemodynamic parameters [cardiac output (CO), heart rate (HR), total peripheral resistance (TPR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and stroke volume (SV)]. A 2 × 2 × 2 repeated measures …

Defining Athletic Training In The Military Setting: A Survey Investigation Into Professional Characteristics, Preparation, And Barriers In Clinical Practice, Kara N. Radzak, Edward J. Sedory, Michael Hooper, Tricia M. Kasamatsu

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

Context: The skill sets of athletic trainers (ATs) provide a unique contribution to the US military's optimization of physical readiness, and these positions are becoming more prevalent. However, knowledge regarding the job characteristics of, and ATs' preparation for, employment in a military setting is limited. Objective: To assess the position and clinician characteristics of ATs working with military members and document their perceptions of working in the military setting. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Online survey. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 53 ATs who currently or formerly worked in the military setting. Data Collection and Analysis: A Web-based survey …

The Reliability And Validity Of The 30-15 Intermittent Field Test With A Ball, Kathleen Paulsen

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the 30-15 Intermittent Field Test (30-15IFT) with and without a ball and to determine differences across these two methods in female soccer players. Twenty-four collegiate female soccer players participated in this study (19.46 ± 1.22 years; 167.01 ± 7.23 cm; 60.95 ± 7.84 kg). Players performed one trial of the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery (YYIR) test, three trials of the 30-15IFT, and three trials of the 30-15IFT with a ball (30-15IFT-B), separated by a minimum of 48 hours. Maximal intermittent running velocity (VIFT), heart rate at exhaustion (HRpeak), …