Exercise Science Commons^™

The Effect Of Acute Hypoxia Exposure, With Exercise, On Bone Metabolic Biomarkers, Alyssa Bailly

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

Hypoxic environments, resulting from decreased atmospheric partial pressure of oxygen, reduce oxygen availability in the blood and tissues, leading to a mismatch between supply and demand. This elicits several physiological adaptations and may influence bone metabolism. Although evidence suggests that hypoxia can modulate bone remodeling through hypoxia-inducible pathways, findings remain mixed, with most data derived from chronic hypoxic exposures in animal and cell culture models. Exercise, an essential stimulus for bone health, may exacerbate hypoxic stress; however, the skeletal response to acute hypoxic exposure combined with exercise remains unclear. We propose that intermittent exercise in hypoxia may increase negative markers …

Harnessing Mechanobiology Of Resident Stem Cells To Refine Cell Based Therapeutics, Dakota R. Kamm

WUSM Theses and Dissertations – All Programs

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are resident cells residing with many adult tissues such as adipose tissue and bone marrow that have the potency for multiple lineage differentiation as well as the capacity to secrete a litany of beneficial factors to maintain homeostasis and promote tissue repair. Since 1995, MSCs have been used therapeutically to treat a variety of conditions from osteoarthritis to heart disease to muscle pathologies. Great leaps have been made in improving MSC-based therapies through optimization of culture methods and select enrichment of cellular subpopulations. More recently, the physical microenvironment of tissue in vivo and culture conditions in …

The Mediating Effect Of Physical Activity On Mental Health Among Sexual Minority Adolescents During Covid-19, You Fu, Ryan D. Burns, Hayley Almes, Xiangren Yi, Nora Constantino

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Purpose: Adolescents identifying as a sexual minority frequently experience mental health issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical activity (PA) has numerous benefits for mental health and emotional development. The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effect of PA on the association between sexual minority status and mental health among adolescents during COVID-19. Methods: A sample of adolescents (grades 9-12) completed the online Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (ABES; N = 7677; 49.6% male) in 2021. The independent variable in this study was a recorded binary response item asking about sexual orientation. The dependent variable was a …

Exploring Exercise Motivation And Mental Well-Being In College Students, Elaine M. Lindesmith, Anqi Deng Dr

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study examined the relationship between physical activity, exercise motivation, and mental well-being among 48 undergraduate students at the University of Arkansas. Guided by Self-Determination Theory, the study used survey data to measure depression, anxiety, physical activity, and open-ended exercise motivation responses. Motivation responses were coded as autonomous or controlled.

Results showed that physical activity was weakly and negatively related to depression and anxiety, but these relationships were not statistically significant. There were also no significant differences in mental health between autonomous and controlled motivation groups, and motivation did not significantly predict mental health outcomes in regression analyses. Overall, the …

More Than A Prescription: The Need For Behavioral Theory To Guide Exercise Interventions For Osteoarthritis - A Narrative Review, Christine Pellegrini, Lisa C. Carlesso, Daniel K. White

Faculty Publications

Objective

Design

Results

Social Influences On Exercise And Physical Activity, Domanick Speelman

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Background: Regular exercise plays a big role in maintaining an individual’s physical and mental health, preventing diseases, and improving overall well-being. A plethora of things can influence an individual’s exercise habits, for better or worse, including social, environmental, and familial contexts. This study described exercise and social influences among undergraduate college students. More specifically, this study described exercising habits (frequency, duration, type, etc.) as well as the role of social media, environmental conditions, and family support during a typical week of the academic semester.

Design: Cross-sectional, descriptive survey

Methods: A sample of 33 undergraduate students from a public university in …

Decreased Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Capillary Recruitment In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, David Langleben, Stylianos E. Orfanos, Benjamin D. Fox, Michele Giovinazzo, Magali Kaddis, John D. Catravas

Bioelectrics Publications

The human lung normally accommodates exercise-induced cardiac output increases mainly via recruitment of non-concomitantly perfused pulmonary capillaries. Recruitment is detectable by measuring the first-pass transpulmonary metabolism of ³H-benzoyl-Phe-Ala-Pro, providing an estimate of functional capillary surface area (FCSA). Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) results from luminal narrowing of small precapillary arterioles, reducing downstream perfused FCSA. We hypothesized that exercising PAH patients would not be able to recruit FCSA normally. We studied two patients with severe PAH. Despite exercising to maximal dyspnea, neither could recruit FCSA. These limited data are the first direct measurements of FCSA in exercising PAH patients.

Ultrasound-Derived Liver Composition And Metabolic Flexibility Under Exercise Stress, Rhodes Van Houten

All Master's Theses

Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) is characterized by abnormal liver fat accumulation in conjunction with metabolic syndromes. MAFLD affects 33% of individuals worldwide, though little is known about how increased liver fat impacts physiological responses to exercise. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between liver composition and metabolic flexibility during a graded exercise test.  Body composition was analyzed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Liver ultrasound was evaluated for echogenicity, where elevated mean gray volume (MGV) indicates abnormal liver tissue. Rates of fat (FATox) and carbohydrate (CHOox) oxidation (g/min), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and blood lactate concentrations ([LA^-], …

Host-Intrinsic Factors Determine Anti-Tumor Efficacy Of Exercise In Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Sumedha Pareek

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths with a low 5-year relative survival rate of approximately 13.3% for all stages combined. We have previously shown that exercise can improve quality of life and enhance functional capacity among patients with PDAC. Exercise induces a variety of changes in the tumor microenvironment with beneficial effects in several tumor types. However, our understanding of the clinical effects of exercise and the mechanisms that mediate anti-tumor effects are limited in pancreatic cancer.

In this project, using C57BL/6 mice from Taconic Biosciences (Tac) and Jackson Laboratories (Jax), we established a …

Novel Approaches To Combat Neuro-Degradation: Investigations Of Two Supplemental Strategies Aimed At Improving Warfighter Performance, Blaine Lints

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the efficacy of two distinct nutritional supplementation strategies for improving physical and/or cognitive performance under stress. The first study investigated the effects of 150 mg caffeine plus 150 mg theacrine ingestion in tactically trained individuals. Results indicated that the combination of caffeine and theacrine was associated with significant improvements in reaction time, accuracy, and measures of ocular control following high-intensity interval (HII) exercise. The HII exercise protocol consisted of ten repetitions of 60s high-intensity intervals (≥90% maximal oxygen uptake [VO_2max]) followed by 120s low-intensity intervals (~40% VO_2max) on a treadmill. These benefits were …

The Impacts Of Physical (In)Activity On Endothelial Function, Joel Ernest Harden

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Exercise and physical activity are known to have beneficial effects on endothelial function and vascular health. Sedentary behavior and physical inactivity, however, have been shown to be related to poor endothelial function and vascular health. The overall purpose of this dissertation was to further elucidate the physiological links between physical (in)activity and vascular health. In the first study, 12 active, young (18-40 yr) individuals and 12 active, old (55+ yr) individuals were recruited. Participants underwent 5 days of removal of exercise, and had their endothelial function assessed via flow-mediated dilation (FMD) during their normal, habitual exercise state (EX) and during …

Associations Of Parental Perceived Health With Child Movement Behaviors Within Two-Parent Households, You Fu, Hayley Almes, Nora Constantino, Doria Schmidt, Ryan D. Burns

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

This study aimed to examine how perceived parental mental and physical health status was associated with child physical activity, screen time, and sleep. Participants were 6- to 17-year-old minors (N = 20,156; 47.9% female) from the 2022 US National Survey of Children’s Health. Dependent variables were children’s physical activity frequency, screen time, and sleep. Independent variables were parents’ physical and mental health status. Using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model, two adjusted path models were constructed. One for parent mental health associating with parental physical health, another for parent physical health associating with parental mental health–both further associating with child movement behaviors. …

A Comparative Analysis Of Stress Relief, Life Satisfaction, And Quality Of Life Based On Marriage Status And Gender Among Members Of Society Participating In Exercise, Ji-Hye Yang, Sicheol Jung, Hyejin Yang, Chulhwan Choi, Chul-Ho Bum

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Modern members of society tend to feel stressed in their workplace and at home, but exercising has been shown to effectively reduce stress and increase quality of life and satisfaction. This study aimed to investigate and compare stress relief, life satisfaction, and quality of life based on marriage status and gender among members of society who participate in exercise. We used a questionnaire survey with 311 participants, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, validity and reliability, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and a post hoc analysis. The study results showed that the single groups demonstrated higher mean …

International Society Of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Nutritional Concerns Of The Female Athlete, Ralf Jäger, Jeffery L. Heileson, Sidney Abou Sawan, Broderick L. Dickerson, Megan Leonard, Richard B. Kreider, Chad M. Kerksick, Stephen M. Cornish, Darren G. Candow, Dean M. Cordingley, Scott C. Forbes, Grant M. Tinsley, Tindaro Bongiovanni, Roberto Cannataro, Bill I. Campbell, Shawn M. Arent Ph.D., Cscs*D, Fissn, Facsm, Fnak, Jeffrey R. Stout, Douglas S. Kalman, Jose Antonio

Faculty Publications

Position Statement: The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) presents this position based on a critical examination of the literature surrounding the effects of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 PUFA) supplementation on exercise performance, recovery, and brain health. This position stand is intended to provide a scientific foundation for athletes, dietitians, trainers, and other practitioners regarding the effects of supplemental ω-3 PUFA in healthy and athletic populations. The following conclusions represent the official position of the ISSN: Athletes may be at a higher risk for ω-3 PUFA insufficiency. Diets rich in ω-3 PUFA, including supplements, are effective strategies for …

Enhancing Health And Wellness In Female University Students: A Study On The Impact Of Self-Monitoring, Goal Setting, And Feedback, Halle Landies

Masters Essays

Incorporating exercise into daily routines helps female university students navigate the challenges of university life, promotes long-term health, and fosters a balanced and productive lifestyle (Kohl, 2013). This study aims to expand the research on applied behavior analysis by examining the effectiveness of self-monitoring, goal setting, and feedback in helping female students achieve daily goals related to step count, exercise, distance walked, etc.. Using a changing criterion design, participants recorded data via an Apple Watch, with the intervention's effectiveness evaluated weekly over a six-week period.

Associations Of Different Types Of Physical Activity And Sedentary Behavior With Self-Rated Health In Children And Adolescents: A Systematic Review Of Research From 2010 To 2024, Yahan Liang, Xihe Zhu, Ji-Hye Yang, Fei Wang, Danqing Zhang, Xingyi Yang, Sitong Chen, Yang Liu

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Self-rated health (SRH) is one of the common measures to evaluate individuals’ overall health. Many studies have explored the associations between different types of physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and SRH in children and adolescents. These studies report inconsistent findings and sometimes highlight gender differences. This systematic review aims to synthesize findings to provide a comprehensive evaluation of these associations.

Comparative Effectiveness Of High-Intensity Interval Training And Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training On Cardiometabolic Health In Patients With Diabesity: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Sameer Badri Al-Mhanna, Eric Tsz-Chun Poon, Barry A. Franklin, Mark A. Tarnopolsky, John A. Hawley, John M. Jakicic, Emmanuel Stamatakis, Jonathan P. Little, Linda S. Pescatello, Deborah Riebe, Walter R. Thompon, James S. Skinner, Sheri R. Colberg, Jonathan K. Ehrman, George S. Metsios, Helen T. Douda, Norsuhana Omar, Abdullah F. Alghannam, Alexios Batrakoulis

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Objective

To evaluate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiometabolic health-related outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and concurrent overweight/obesity (diabesity).

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Data sources

PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched from inception up to January 31, 2025.

Eligibility criteria for selected studies

RCTs comparing HIIT alone ≥ 2 weeks in duration with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). Participants were adults with diabesity.

Results

A total of 26 RCTs qualified, involving 790 patients (50/50 female/male ratio; age: 59.8 ± 12.9 …

The Efficacy Of Physical Activity Or Exercise Among Individuals With Cerebral Palsy: An Umbrella Review Of Systematic Reviews, Majed M. Alhumaid, Faris Yahya I. Asiri, Mohamed A. Said, Justin A. Haegele

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Introduction

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood disability, affecting 1.5-3 per 1000 live births. Physical exercises have been shown to improve muscle and limb outcomes in CP. This systematic review critically appraises existing systematic reviews on the effects of physical activity and exercise on physical, functional, and psychosocial outcomes in individuals with CP compared to those without.

Methods

Using a PICO framework, the question was: In patients with CP, do physical activity and exercise improve muscle- and limb-related outcomes compared to no intervention or usual care? PubMed, Cochrane, ISI Web of Science, and Embase were searched for systematic …

Impact Of Aerobic Exercise On Cardiometabolic Health In Patients With Diabesity: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Sameer Badri Al-Mhanna, Barry A. Franklin, John M. Jakicic, Emmanuel Stamatakis, Linda S. Pescatello, Deborah Riebe, Walter R. Thompson, James S. Skinner, Sheri R. Colberg, Jonathan K. Ehrman, George S. Metsios, Norsuhana Omar, Nouf H. Alkhamees, Bodor Bin Sheeha, Abdullah F. Alghannam, Alexios Batrakoulis

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Purpose

This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise on cardiometabolic health-related indices in patients with type 2 diabetes and concurrent overweight/obesity (diabesity).

Methods

PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched from inception to October 2024. The search strategy included the following keywords: diabetes, aerobic exercise, and endurance training. RCTs comparing aerobic exercise training ≥2 weeks in duration to standard treatment were considered eligible. Participants were adults with diabesity.

Results

A total of 1391 middle-aged/older adult patients (55 % females) were included …

Impact Of High-Intensity Interval Training On Cardiometabolic Health In Patients With Diabesity: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Sameer Badri Al-Mhanna, Barry A. Franklin, Mark A. Tarnopolsky, John A. Hawley, John M. Jakicic, Emmanuel Stamatakis, Jonathan P. Little, Linda S. Pescatello, Deborah Riebe, Walter R. Thompson, James S. Skinner, Sheri R. Colberg, Jonathan K. Ehrman, George S. Metsios, Helen T. Douda, Norsuhana Omar, Abdullah F. Alghannam, Alexios Batrakoulis

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Aims This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiometabolic health-related outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity (diabesity).

Methods PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched from inception up to November 2024. The search strategy encompassed the following keywords: diabetes, obesity, and HIIT. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) recruiting adult participants with diabesity and comparing HIIT per se for ≥ 2 weeks in duration with non-exercise standard treatment were included.

Results A total of 18 RCTs qualified involving 504 patients (52/48 women/men …

Comparison Of Post-Exercise Lipid Oxidation Rates Between Lower And 1 Upper-Body Resistance Training In Well-Trained Females, Alyssa L. Parten

Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Lipid oxidation (LOx) is a relevant physiological process linked to metabolic health. Despite growing interest in resistance training (RT) as a means to influence substrate utilization LOx responses in females remain poorly characterized, with no study examining whether lower- and upper body RT elicits different LOx patterns during the recovery period following exercise. This distinction may  be relevant because lower-body exercises involves greater fat-free mass (FFM) and energy expenditure,  whereas upper-body exercises recruit less FFM, potentially influencing metabolic effects.

PURPOSE: To  determine if LOx rates after exercise differ between lower- and upper-body RT in well-trained females.

METHODS: Twenty-two females …

Beyond Strong: A Phenomenology Of Women Executives And The Connection Between Leadership And Fitness, Nozomi Bullock

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Senior-level executive leaders’ work in a dynamic, competitive, 24/7 business environment can be physically rigorous, mentally demanding, and emotionally isolating. The same holds true for women pursuing senior-level leadership roles in corporate America. Women who achieve and succeed in such roles remain the minority: Outsiders in elite spaces who are held to higher standards and overly scrutinized. Among senior-level executive women leaders, those committed to a fitness and training regimen including weightlifting constitute an even smaller minority. Senior-level executive roles require stamina, resilience, and courage—qualities that make up the foundation of the mindset of fitness and strength training (Foyster et …

The Effect Of Exercise Type On Working Memory, Ariana Gonzalez, William R. Kochen

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Martial arts encompass a wide range of sports and techniques that have been practiced for self-defense and combat for thousands of years. It has expanded to include various styles such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Taekwondo, judo, and karate. It has also been practiced as a form of exercise and entertainment. Martial arts have been associated to discipline, integrity, improved stamina, and increased mental and problem-solving capabilities. Unlike other exercise methods, most martial arts require focus, skill, and technique, which have been hypothesized to improve memory. The purpose of the study was to determine if there was a significant improvement in the …

Sculpting Success: The Importance Of Diet And Physical Activity To Support Skeletal Muscle Health During Weight Loss With New Generation Anti-Obesity Medications, Gregory J. Grosicki, Nikhil V. Dhurandhar, Jessica L. Unick, Shawn M. Arent Ph.D., Cscs*D, Fissn, Facsm, Fnak, J. Graham Thomas, Holly Lofton, Madelyn C. Shepherd, Jessica Kiel, Christopher Coleman, Satya S. Jonnalagadda

Faculty Publications

Obesity is a public health crisis, with prevalence rates tripling over the past 60 y. Although lifestyle modifications, such as diet and physical activity, remain the first-line treatments, recent anti-obesity medications (AOMs) have been shown to achieve greater reductions in body weight and fat mass. However, AOMs also reduce fat-free mass, including skeletal muscle, which has been demonstrated to account for 20% to 50% of total weight loss. This can equate to ∼6 kg or 10% of total lean mass after 12–18 mo, a loss comparable to a decade of human aging. Despite questions surrounding the clinical relevance of weight …

Physicians’ Attitude, Knowledge, And Perceived Control Towards The Use Of Exercise As A Form Of Preventive Medicine, Matthew Robert Warner

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Exercise is a component of physical activity that can aid in the reduction of deaths, lowering obesity rates, and chronic illness. However, many Americans are not meeting the recommended physical activity levels (Carlson, et al., 2018). Quality and accurate health information regarding physical activity is one way to help combat health disparities. Health professionals such as primary care physicians can aid in promoting this lifestyle modification. However, there are shortfalls in physicians’ knowledge of using exercise as a form of preventive medicine for chronic illness. Many medical programs have little to no training in exercise principles (Cardinal et al., 2015). …

Collegiate Student-Athlete Responses To The Covid-19 Pandemic, Alexa Jenny Chandler

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Exercise imposes a physiological stressor on the body which is amplified as training intensifies. Collegiate fall-sport student-athletes return after summer break (off-season) and have approximately two weeks of training (preseason) with coaching staff before competition begins. The 2020 fall season was preceded by a five-month period away from campus due to the timing of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This also meant all commercial gyms and training facilities were closed, and student-athletes were forced to train with the resources they had at home. Upon return to campus, significant changes were made to practice and competition structures in attempt to …

Does Breaking Up Moderate Intensity Continuous Exercise Into Accumulated Bouts Improve Postprandial Metabolic Outcomes In Middle Aged And Older Adults?, Miranda Janis

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Due to the high incidence of CVD in older adults, low levels of habitual physical activity, and poor dietary habits, it is imperative to determine an effective minimal dose of exercise that is attainable to mitigate adverse postprandial (post-meal) responses. This study is the first to our knowledge to assess whether accumulated exercise to expend 25% of the calories consumed in a high-fat meal (HFM) of moderate intensity walking will lower postprandial triglycerides (TRG), glucose (GLU) and metabolic load index (MLI: summation of GLU and TRG), compared to continuous exercise, in middle-aged and older adults (OA). Methods: Ten OA (n=10, …

The Association Between Aerobic Exercise And Changes In Hdl Quality Induced By Egg Consumption – A Post-Hoc Analysis Of A Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Dietary Intervention Study, Rachael Woodruff, Catherine J. Andersen

Honors Scholar Theses

Abstract

Objective: Daily intake of whole eggs and aerobic exercise have independently been shown to increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and measures of HDL function, suggesting cardioprotective effects of these lifestyle interventions. However, it is unknown whether exercise volume can synergistically or differentially impact diet responses and egg effects on HDL. Therefore, we evaluated whether exercise volume was associated with distinct effects of consuming different egg-based diets on measures of HDL size, function, and composition.

Methods: Twenty-six healthy men and women completed a 16-week randomized, controlled, crossover intervention study which aimed to investigate the effects of egg-free, egg-white, and whole-egg …

Cortisol Production In Female Soccer Players, Katelyn Seagraves

Honors Projects

Cortisol is released from the adrenal glands when there is an apparent stressor. Exercise, while beneficial, is seen as stress to the body and incites increased cortisol release. Cortisol is known to increase with exercise, and higher-intensity exercise tends to raise cortisol more compared to lower intensities. However, less is known about interval training and cortisol concentrations.

This review of literature dives into the background of cortisol: how it's produced, what systems it regulates, and differences in production based on gender, stressors, exercise intensity, and duration. This paper identifies some knowledge gaps and links training intensities in soccer to cortisol …

Cortisol Production In Female Soccer Players, Katelyn Seagraves

ASPIRE 2024

Cortisol is released from the adrenal glands when there is an apparent stressor. Exercise, while beneficial, is seen as stress to the body and incites increased cortisol release. Cortisol is known to increase with exercise, and higher-intensity exercise tends to raise cortisol more compared to lower intensities. However, less is known about interval training and cortisol concentrations.

This review of literature dives into the background of cortisol: how it's produced, what systems it regulates, and differences in production based on gender, stressors, exercise intensity, and duration. This paper identifies some knowledge gaps and links training intensities in soccer to cortisol …