The Longitudinal Effects Of Beta-Alanine Supplementation On Isometric Strength, Time To Exhaustion, And Lower-Body Isometric Torque In Female Masters Athlete Cyclists, Jordan Mckenzie Glenn

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Within the population of aging individuals exists a subset of competitive seniors or masters athletes (MA). As masters-level competition increases in popularity, MA must find methods to enhance individual athletic performance. Beta-alanine (BA) is an amino acid used to enhance physical capability based on ability increase intramuscular carnosine concentrations. Older adults and females have naturally lower carnosine levels compared to age- and gender-matched counterparts and may experience enhanced benefits from BA supplementation. Purpose: Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to examine the longitudinal effects of BA supplementation on isometric handgrip strength (HG), time to exhaustion (TTE), total work completed …

The Comparative Effects Of Hot Yoga And Thermoneutral Yoga On Flexibility, Heart Rate, Sweat Rate, And Mood, Hannah Kirkland Campbell

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Yoga is an ancient Indian philosophy, described as a therapeutic intervention and health maintenance practice that unites the mind and body to aid healing through the combination of physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation. There is ample research regarding yoga practiced in an environment that is thermoneutral, or in an environment that does not alter the metabolic heat production or evaporative heat loss of people. However, minimal research exists on the increasingly popular form of yoga known as hot yoga, or yoga practiced in an environment that is often humidified and 95° F or warmer. This exploratory study compared the …

The Longitudinal Effects Of Beta-Alanine On Punch Power, Punch Frequency, And Fatigue In Female Amateur Fighters, Rodger Wayne Stewart

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Beta-alanine is a non-essential amino acid typically obtained in the diet via high-protein foods (beef, chicken, pork, and fish) and produced in the confines of the liver. BA is a precursor to the cytoplasmic dipeptide carnosine (beta-alanylhistidine). Carnosine is found in high concentrations in human skeletal muscle where it plays a key role in intracellular pH buffering. Research indicates BA supplementation increased punch power, punch frequency, and lactate concentrations in male amateur fighters after 28-day supplementation. There are currently no studies evaluating the effects of BA on boxing performance variables in women. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to …

The Influence Of Neuromusculoskeletal Model Calibration Method On Predicted Knee Contact Forces During Walking, Gil Serrancolí, Allison Kinney, Benjamin J. Fregly, Josep M. Font-Llagunes

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

This study explored the influence of three model calibration methods on predicted knee contact and leg muscle forces during walking. Static optimization was used to calculate muscle activations for all three methods. Approach A used muscle-tendon model parameter values (i.e., optimal muscle fiber lengths and tendon slack lengths) taken directly from literature. Approach B used a simple algorithm to calibrate muscle-tendon model parameter values such that each muscle operated within the ascending region of its normalized force-length curve. Approach C used a novel two-level optimization procedure to calibrate muscle-tendon, moment arm, and neural control model parameter values while simultaneously predicting …

Lower Extremity Neuromechanics During A Forward-Side Jump Following Functional Fatigue In Patients With Ankle Instability, Hyun Kim

Theses and Dissertations

Ankle instability (AI) and fatigue impair neuromuscular control as well as dynamic joint stability of the lower extremity. No one has comprehensively examined the effects of AI and fatigue on neuromechanics of the lower extremity during a functional activity. Deficits associated with AI and fatigue could be additive in increasing the risk for injury in patients with AI. PURPOSE: To examine the interaction of AI and fatigue on lower extremity muscle activity, kinematic, and kinetic patterns during a forward-side jump. METHODS: 25 AI (23.3 ± 1.9 yrs, 176.5 ± 10.5 cm, 70.9 ± 11.4 kg), and 25 matched control subjects …

Association Of Markers Of Inflammation With Sleep And Physical Activity Among People Living With Hiv Or Aids, Michael D. Wirth, Jason R. Jaggers, Wesley D. Dudgeon, James R. Hebert, Shawn D. Youngstedt, Steven N. Blair, Gregory A. Hand

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

This study examined associations of sleep and minutes spent in moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin (IL)-6 among persons living with HIV (PLWH). Cross-sectional analyses (n=45) focused on associations of inflammatory outcomes (i.e., CRP and IL-6) with actigraph-derived sleep duration, latency, and efficiency; bedtime; wake time; and wake-after-sleep-onset; as well as MVPA. Least square means for CRP and IL-6 by levels of sleep and MVPA were computed from general linear models. Individuals below the median of sleep duration, above the median for bedtime, and below the median of MVPA minutes had higher CRP or IL-6 levels. …

Will Ultrasound Performed With The Rich-Mar Autosound™ Be As Effective At Increasing Tissue Temperature As Ultrasound Performed With A Traditional Machine?, Heather Diane Black

Theses and Dissertations

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized crossover experiment. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the Rich-Mar AutoSound™ would be as effective as traditional ultrasound at increasing the temperature of the triceps surae muscle during a 10-min, 1 MHz, 1.0 W/cm2 ultrasound treatment. BACKGROUND: The AutoSound™ is a hands-free ultrasound device that is strapped on the body and left for the duration of the ultrasound treatment. It requires no clinician during the actual ultrasound treatment, thus freeing the clinician to perform other tasks and reducing clinician error during treatments. METHODS: 16 healthy subjects (6 males, 10 females, age = 22 ± 1.6 yrs, height = 173.2 …

Meat Intake And Insulin Resistance In Women Without Type 2 Diabetes, Larry A. Tucker, James D. Lecheminant, Bruce W. Bailey

Faculty Publications

Purpose. To examine the relationship between meat intake and insulin resistance (IR) in 292 nondiabetic women. Methods. IR was evaluated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Diet was assessed via 7-day weighed food records. Servings of very lean meat (VLM) and regular meat (meat) were indexed using the ADA Exchange Lists Program. Physical activity was assessed using accelerometers and body fat was measured using the Bod Pod. Results. Meat intake was directly related to HOMA (F = 7.4; P = 0.007). Women with moderate or high meat intakes had significantly higher HOMA levels than their counterparts. Adjusting for body fat …

Slow Walking On A Treadmill Desk Does Not Negatively Affect Executive Abilities: An Examination Of Cognitive Control, Conflict Adaptation, Response Inhibition, And Post-Error Slowing, Michael J. Larson, James D. Lecheminant, Kaylie Carbine, Kyle R. Hill, Edward Christenson, Travis Masterson, Rick Lecheminant

Faculty Publications

An increasing trend in the workplace is for employees to walk on treadmills while working to attain known health benefits; however, the effect of walking on a treadmill during cognitive control and executive function tasks is not well known. We compared the cognitive control processes of conflict adaptation (i.e., congruency sequence effects—improved performance following high-conflict relative to low-conflict trials), post-error slowing (i.e., Rabbitt effect), and response inhibition during treadmill walking (1.5 mph) relative to sitting. Understanding the influence of treadmill desks on these cognitive processes may have implications for worker health and productivity. Sixty-nine individuals were randomized to either a …

Cardiorespiratory Responses To High Intensity Interval Shallow Water Exercise, Laura Miller, Mitchell Fisher, Heather Gerrish, Karen Roemer, Debra D'Acquisto

Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the cardiorespiratory responses to shallow water, high intensity interval exercise (SW-HIIE). Interestingly, no studies have investigated the physiological responses of performing HIIE in a water medium. Thus, the main question of this investigation was the following: What is the physiological load imposed on the human body during an acute SW-HIIE session? Physically active females, n=9 and 26+6 yrs, volunteered for this descriptive study. Volunteers performed a familiarization trial, an incremental maximal shallow water exercise test, and a SW-HIIE session. Participants were submerged to ~75 percent of stature (axillary level). SW-HIIE consisted of …

Effect Of Carbohydrate Intake On Pacing In Endurance Cycling, Morgan A. Price

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

PURPOSE: To study the influences of carbohydrate intake (CHO) on pacing in endurance cycling, as well as the effects of wearing metabolic headgear (HG) on power output. METHODS: Eight male endurance trained cyclists completed 120 min of constant load cycling at 55% W_max, immediately followed by a simulated 30 km time trial, on two occasions. On one occasion, subjects consumed a CHO solution at regular intervals throughout the trial, while a placebo (PL) was consumed during the other trial (in a randomly counterbalanced design). For statistical analysis, the 30 km time trial was divided into 4 segments (S1 …

The Effect Of Run Sprint Interval Training On Prediabetic Adults: Health Related Quality Of Life, Perceived Enjoyment, And Exercise Adherence, Nicole M. Gilbertson

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and perceived exercise enjoyment are greater in a run sprint interval training (RSIT) group compared to a moderate intensity training (MIT) group in sedentary, prediabetic adults after an 8-week intervention.

Methods: Over 8-weeks, subjects in the RSIT group progressed from 4 to 6 30-second sprints per session, and the MIT group progressed from 30 to 60 minutes of continuous moderate intensity exercise. Participants in both groups completed 8-weeks of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Diabetes Prevention Program educational classes. HRQOL …

The Effect Of Run Sprint Interval Training On Diabetic Metabolic Markers In Prediabetic Adults, Kathryn L. Hilovsky

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Abstract

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to compare the effects of an 8-week run-sprint interval training (R-SIT) and continuous moderate-intensity training (MIT) on fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin sensitivity, and β-cell function in sedentary, prediabetic adults. Secondary outcomes of the study included anthropometric, body composition variables, and aerobic capacity.

Methods: Sedentary, physician diagnosed prediabetic individuals were randomized into R-SIT (n=7, BMI 36.76 ± 9.79) or MIT (n=8, BMI 40.59 ± 12.49) interventions. Subjects participated in supervised exercise three times a week and attended a Diabetes Prevention Program course, once weekly. R-SIT participants performed 4-6 x 30-second …

Satellite Cell Behavior In Cyclists Following Intensified Training With And Without Protein Supplementation, Alec I. Mckenzie

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

PURPOSE: The objectives were to determine the satellite cell (SC) response among endurance-trained cyclists (n=8; VO_2max: 63.1 ± 8.4 mL/Kg/min)to a period of intensified training (ICT) (10 days) and 10 days of recovery (RVT), with and without protein supplementation. METHODS: Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis prior to- and immediately following ICT and RVT. Fluorescent microscopy was used to analyze SCs and myosin heavy chain I and IIa (MHC I and IIa). Data were analyzed using magnitude-based inferences. RESULTS: MHC I SCs were exceptionally abundant at baseline (38 ± 20 SCs/100 fibers). MHC I SC count …

The Association Between Sleep Quality, Physical Inactivity, And Risk Of Developing Metabolic Syndrome, Matthew Scott

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study is to assess the independent effects of sedentary time, sleep quality, and physical activity on risk factors for Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in college students.

Methods 40 college aged students were recruited from James Madison University. Height, weight, blood pressure, waist circumference, and body composition were assessed on visit 1. Blood pressure, blood glucose, and lipid profile were assessed on visit 2. Subjects were required to wear an Actigraph GT3x accelerometer, which measured physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep quality for 7 days and nights. Univariate Pearson correlation analyses were performed to determine the …

Effects Of Thigh Compression Wraps On Sprint Performance In A Physically Active Population 2015, Kevin Ostempowski

Master's Theses

Compression garments are widely used in sport to enhance performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of thigh compression wraps on 60 m sprint performance. Twenty-six physically active college students, seven men and nineteen women, were participants in the study. The participants completed three 60 m sprints in each of two test sessions. The second test session occurred two to seven days after the first test session. The participant’s thighs were compression wrapped in one test session, the treatment session, and not wrapped in the other test session, the control session. Whether or not the first …

An Investigation Of Aerobic Fitness, Perceived Quality Of Life And The Direct Effects Of Self-Determination Theory In College Students 2015, Alanna Darling

Master's Theses

There have been numerous studies examining the association between physical activity, motivation and quality of life. In contrast, studies focusing on aerobic fitness and its relationship with levels of motivation and perceived quality of life are lacking. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between a direct measure of aerobic fitness, behavioral regulations, and perceptions of quality of life in college-aged sample. Participants included both males (n=129; 21.1±1.8 years) and females (n=89; 20.8±1.4 years) who completed the Behavioral Regulations of Exercise Questionnaire-2 sub-scores and Perceived Quality of Life (PQoL) instruments. Participants then performed the Queen’s College Step …

Influence Of Sex And Sport Skill Type On Imagery Use Among Division Iii Athletes 2015, Daniel Jones

Master's Theses

There is limited research revealing the underlying trends and influences of imagery use in sports. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of imagery use among National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III collegiate athletes. Additionally, the influence of athlete sex and sport skill type was examined. A sample of 337 athletes from 15 different sports participated in the study. The Sport Imagery Questionnaire (SIQ; Hall, Mack, Paivio, & Hausenblaus, 1998) was administered to assess the frequency of imagery use between males and females as well as between open-skill sport (e.g., basketball, hockey, etc) and closed-skill sport …

The Effects Of A Four-Week Whole-Body High-Intensity Training Program On Female Athletes 2015, Lindsey Taylor

Master's Theses

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the aerobic benefits and changes in running economy (RE) following a fourweek whole-body high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on an athletic female population. Participants: Fourteen female student-athletes volunteered to participate in the study. Design: Participants reported on two occasions for VO2max and RE testing and were divided into two training groups based upon baseline VO2max: Endurance (END; n=6) and HIIT (n=8). Participants completed 12 total training sessions. During each session, END completed 30 minutes of vigorous-intensity running, while HIIT completed a total of four minutes of whole-body intervals. Measures: Maximal oxygen …

National Collegiate Athletic Association Head Coaches' Satisfaction With Athletic Training Services 2015, Whitney Larson

Master's Theses

Athletic trainers and coaches have a significant amount of interaction regarding the care of an athlete. This communication and cooperation is necessary to providing effective care. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of satisfaction that head coaches have with those providing athletic training services across all three NCAA Divisions. Overall satisfaction and four satisfaction categories (professionalism, communication, knowledge/ability, and accessibility) were examined. A total of 40 head coaches from NCAA Division I, II, and III schools participated in the study. The instrument used was originally developed by Beer (2004) and was modified to fit the current …

Pertinacity Volume 1 Issue 1, Yuri Hosokawa

Pertinacity

No abstract provided.

Four Weeks Of Controlled Frequency Breathing Training Reduces Respiratory Muscle Fatigue In Elite College Swimmers., Alex Robert Burtch 1991-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Controlled frequency breathing (CFB) is a common swim training modality that involves holding one’s breath for ~12 strokes before taking another breath. We sought to examine the effects of CFB training on reducing respiratory muscle fatigue (RMF). Elite swimmers (n = 25) were divided into either the CFB or a group that breathed regularly, every ~3rd stroke. The training intervention included 16 sessions of 12x50-m repetitions with either breathing pattern. RMF was defined as the drop in maximal inspiratory mouth-pressure (MIP) between rest and 46 seconds after a 200 yard free-style swimming race (~114 seconds). Pooled results demonstrated a reduction …

Effectiveness Of Cardiac Rehabilitation: Secondary Prevention Increases Functional Capacity In Myocardial Infarction Patients, Kristin Badillo

HIM 1990-2015

The purpose of this study was to discern the effectiveness of Cardiac Rehabilitation/ Secondary Prevention Programs (CR/ SPP’s) by evaluating increased functional capacity in the form of MET (metabolic equivalent) scores post-myocardial infarction (MI) or heart attack. The Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) survey is administered as part of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for participation in the Secondary Prevention Program. Criterion for the research included patients 65 and older, with a history of one myocardial infarction, and had completed all 36 sessions of CR. The scores from 11 SPP surveys were analyzed and compared in three time increments from …

Determining The Daily Caloric Needs Of Collegiate Female Athletes, Alicia D. Watson

Theses

Dietary requirements in athletes are critical to overall health and performance, yet no formula to predict dietary needs is available for female athletes. This study's purpose was to develop a validated prediction equation to predict the resting metabolic needs of female athletes. 63 NCAA Division II female athletes (19.7 ± 1.1 years, 169.3 ± 8.6 cm, 67.5 ± 9.1 kg) were recruited as participants in this study. Upon providing their informed consent, study participants arrived for testing in the morning between the hours of 0600 - 1000 after observing a ~10 hour fast and within 30 - 60 minutes of …

Effect Of Hydration Status On Post-Synaptic Cutaneous Vasodilatory And Sudomotor Responses, Ashley Six

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

"Purpose: Previous research shows dehydration decreases sweating and skin blood flow during heat stress but it is unknown whether these decrements are from pre-synaptic (i.e. central nervous system) or post-synaptic (i.e. sweat gland/blood vessel) alterations. The purpose of this study was to determine whether dehydration affects post-synaptic sweating and skin blood flow responses. We hypothesized that dehydration will negatively affect post-synaptic sweating and both endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilation. Methods: 12 males (age= 25 ± 3 y, height = 178.4 ± 5.1 cm, body mass = 75.9 ± 10.9 kg) participated. 24 h before each trial, subjects were passively heated for …

Hydration Biomarkers: Creating A User-Friendly Hydration Assessment Technique, Jenna Burchfield

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Despite the necessity of euhydration, an optimal, user-friendly, accurate hydration assessment technique fails to exist for the general population. The primary reason for this study is to validate a new hydration assessment technique, which utilizes no equipment or technical expertise to administer. We hypothesize that the number of urine voids over 24-hrs will correlate to hydration status. We used an observational research design in the field, recruiting fifty healthy individuals (n=24 females) 18-39 years old from the Northwest Arkansas area. Age 22±4 years, body mass 75.01±17 kg, height 168.6±22.6 cm, body fat 20.4±9 %. Individuals abstained from caffeine and alcohol …

The Relationship Between Muscular Strength And Cognition In Older Adults, Ashton R. Pohlman

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Little is known about the correlation between resistance training, muscular strength, and cognition. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between muscular strength and cognition in older adults. Data were collected for this cross sectional study at Butterfield Trail Village, a retirement community in Northwest Arkansas. Thirty participants, at least 65 years of age, without severe mental impairment were evaluated. Of the 30 participants, 23 females were included in the data analysis. The Stroop Color Test, Trail Making Test, and Dual Task Walking Test difference were used to measure executive cognition. Handgrip dynamometry was used as a measure of strength …

Changes In Sprint Kinetics Or Kinematics Following Static Or Dynamic Stretching, Kristyne Bartel

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of static or dynamic stretching on hip kinematics and kinetics during intermittent sprinting. To achieve this aim, intermittent sprint athletes were asked to complete either a static or dynamic stretch, followed by a repeated-sprint protocol. Hip joint kinematics and performance measures were evaluated during the sprint, including changes that occurred in these variables over the course of the sprint protocol. In addition, hip flexion torque was measured with an isokinetic dynamometer. Ten male (age = 25±2.3 years, 175±3.2 cm, 76.2±2.7 kg) and female (age = 20±1 years, 166±1.3 cm, 60±1.1 …

Validation And Reliability Of The Hexoskin And Fitbit Flex Wearable Bio Collection Devices, Jeffrey Montes

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the Hexoskin shirt and the wrist worn Fitbit Flex activity monitor were both valid and reliable for the physiological functions they were designed to monitor. Heart rate (beats·min-1), respiratory rate (breaths·min-1), step count, and energy expenditure results were collected for the Hexoskin. Step count and energy expenditure were collected for the Fitbit Flex. 49 adolescent participants performed a walking treadmill protocol at 1.5 mph, 2.5 mph, and 3.5 mph for 3 minutes at each speed. 46 subjects returned to perform the same protocol a second time. 31 of the participants were …

Effect Of An Exercise And Dietary Intervention On Cognitive Function In Obese Older Women, Kathleen Mae Uy

Senior Honors Projects

Background: Cognitive decline in older adults is a public health problem and prior research shows that higher levels of physical activity and dietary factors are associated with higher cognitive function. However, it is unclear how an exercise and diet intervention affects cognitive function in obese older women.

Purpose: To examine the effect of a combined Tai Chi (TC), resistance training (RT), and diet intervention on cognitive function and to evaluate the relationship between cognitive function and physical function in older obese women.

Methods: This was a non-randomized study where 31 obese (BMI= 37.6 ± 4.5 kg/m²) older (age= …