Exercise Science Commons^™

Association Between The Intensity Of Exercise In The First Trimester And Early Second Trimester And The Risk Of Gestational Diabetes, Takaki Tanamoto, Misa Hayasaka, Tetsuya Kawakita

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Objective

Although some studies show that exercise decreases the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the optimal exercise intensity during pregnancy remains unclear. We examined GDM risk according to exercise intensity in pregnant individuals.

Methods

We analyzed data from the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers‐to‐Be (nuMoM2b), a prospective study enrolling nulliparous individuals in the first trimester. Participants with pregestational diabetes or delivery before 20 weeks were excluded. Exercise intensity during the first (6–13 weeks’ gestation) and early second (16–21 weeks’ gestation) trimesters was categorized by metabolic equivalent of task hours per week (MET‐hr/week) as none, low intensity (< 7.5), moderate intensity (7.5–14.9), or high intensity (≥ 15). The primary outcome was GDM; secondary outcomes included preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, preterm birth, small‐for‐gestational‐age birth, and stillbirth. Adjusted relative risks (aRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a generalized linear mixed‐effects model with a Poisson distribution and robust error variance, controlling for the random effects of individuals and potential confounders.

Results …

"On The Mat They Will Get Treated The Same": Male High School Wrestlers' Attitudes Towards Female Opponents, Emily Ann Kaht

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Wrestling has historically been considered a male sport. Until recently, so few girls wrestled that those who did had no choice but to take on male opponents. Media reports and the literature indicate that those girls faced a wide range of attitudes from their opponents. While some women reported feeling supported by their male teammates, others reported hostility. Some stakeholders have, in the past, argued that wrestling is inherently unsuitable for girls, and some girls had trouble securing matches due to widespread refusal of boys to wrestle against them. Reasons given for boys forfeiting against girls have included a fear …

College Athlete Workload Management To Improve Performance, Brody Reid

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Load management is an often used and misunderstood term within the realm of sport science. It has been described as the reason behind numerous soft tissue injuries as well as being the reason star athletes sit on the bench for games. This review aims to synthesize the existing literature regarding the workload management paradox within sport. Seminal work in this topic has been gathered mostly by Tim Gabbett in the paper “The Injury Prevention Paradox” where a relationship between fitness gain and fatigue accrued is outlined. This theory was first proposed by Roger Bannister in 1975. This paper …

Utilization Of Sprint Interval Training In Intermittent Sports, Marcus David Garcia

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Sprint interval training (SIT) is a powerful training method that involves short, maximal sprint efforts followed by brief recovery periods. This modality shares similar physical demands of intermittent sports, where athletes repeatedly transition between maximal exertion and submaximal efforts or rest. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of SIT on key performance metrics in intermittent sports, such as sprint speed, repeated sprint ability (RSA), aerobic capacity, and anaerobic power. SIT not only enhances anaerobic performance but also promotes adaptations like faster phosphocreatine resynthesis, increased glycolytic enzyme activity, and shifts in muscle fiber composition. These adaptations contribute …

Variations Of Hex Bar Deadlifts On Post-Activation Performance Enhancement In Collegiate Baseball Athletes, Samuel Sanders

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Single-session resistance priming protocols are used by strength and conditioning coaches to acutely improve neuromuscular mechanisms that are beneficial to athletic performance. This study aimed to examine if a concentric-only hex bar deadlift (CHBDL) would produce a similar post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) effect as a full-range-of-motion hex bar deadlift (THBDL) and mitigate perceived measures of fatigue and soreness in collegiate athletes. 19 NCAA Division I baseball athletes completed the study. A repeated measures design with randomized assignment and counterbalanced order was utilized. Over two weeks, the CHBDL and THBDL were added into a typical priming protocol used by the team’s …

Pregnant Adults' Interest In Physical And Mental Health Behavior Change Interventions Using Mobile Technology, Natalie M. Yarish, Cassidy M. Sandoval, Alicia Moulder, Meredith I. Turner, Danielle Symons Downs, Kristin E. Heron

Psychology Faculty Publications

Improving the health and well-being of pregnant adults is an important public health priority in the USA, and mobile health (mHealth) interventions may provide a scalable strategy to disseminate behavior change programs to pregnant adults. This study assessed pregnant people’s use of mobile technology, interest in making health behavior changes during and after pregnancy, and their willingness to use mHealth interventions. Participants were 133 pregnant adults (M_age = 27.86; 81% White) living across the USA recruited from social media to complete an online survey. Measures assessed mobile technology use and beliefs about improving mental/physical health in pregnancy and postpartum …

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.

Development Of A Personalized Conversational Health Agent To Enhance Physical Activity For Blind And Low-Vision Individuals, Soyoung Choi, Jooyoung Seo, Ashwath Krishnan, Sanchita Kamath, Justin Haegele

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Background: With the advancements in mobile health (mHealth) technologies, sighted individuals can benefit from mobile apps and wearable devices to more easily manage their physical activity (PA) and wellness data through intuitive touch gestures and effective data visualizations. However, for blind and low-vision (BLV) individuals, these conventional interaction methods are often challenging, not only limiting their ability to use these technologies but also potentially diminishing their motivation to adopt them to support health-promoting behaviors. We aimed to develop a health monitoring application called Personalized and Conversational Health Agent (PCHA) that supports BLV individuals with self-monitoring and management of their PA …

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 …

Autistic Young Adults' Experiences And Recommendations For Strength Training, Ashlyn Barry, Justin A. Haegele, Daniel Schaefer, Kristen A. Pickett, Luis Columna

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Strength training can be a beneficial form of physical activity (PA), but little research has examined how autistic individuals experience it or what makes programs accessible and supportive. Therefore, the purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to explore autistic young adults’ experiences with strength training, and (2) examine their recommendations for designing programs that meet their needs. Thirteen autistic young adults (ages 22–25) participated in semi-structured interviews about their strength training experiences and preferences for program design. A qualitative descriptive approach with a constructivist lens guided reflexive analysis. Participants described key factors that influenced their participation in strength training, …

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 …

Contemporary Normative Values For Five Common Static Standing Tasks On Firm And Compliant Floor Surfaces In Children Two To Thirteen Years, Nancy Darr

Funded Scholarship

Background/Objectives: Static upright tasks, including standing unsupported (SU), eyes closed (SEC), feet together (SFT), tandem (TS), and single limb (SLS), are routinely examined in children and are included in many norm-referenced measures. Existing normative values for these standing tasks may not apply to contemporary children and have not been established across wide age ranges. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate developmental trajectories of and relationships between four static standing positions (SPs [SU, SFT, TS, SLS]) in children aged 2 through 13 years who are developing typically. The effects of altered sensory input, including floor surface (firm and …

In-Person Versus Peer-Coordinated Virtual Health Coaching For Metabolic And Behavioral Outcomes In Women In Sober Living Facilities, Craig R. Witt

Dissertations

Background: Women in early recovery from substance use disorder often face metabolic health vulnerabilities, yet physical health behaviors are frequently under-emphasized in sober living settings. Feasible and accessible wellness strategies are needed to support both behavioral and metabolic health in this population.

Purpose: To compare the effects of professionally delivered in-person health coaching versus peer-coordinated virtual health coaching on metabolic outcomes and health-promoting behaviors among women in sober living facilities.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 32 women enrolled in a 12-week group-based health coaching program focused on nutrition, physical activity, and stress management; 18 completed post-intervention assessments (in-person: n = …

Protein Ingestion And High-Intensity Resistance Training Decrease Respiratory Exchange Ratio Following Exercise In Females Across Various Body Compositions., Lynnsey Bowling

Dissertations

Metabolic dysfunction is associated with excess adipose tissue and interventions to elicit improvements to body composition could combat these health consequences. Acute nutritional and exercise strategies have the potential to shift metabolic processes toward those favoring fat oxidation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) and pre-exercise protein (PRO) ingestion on post-exercise respiratory exchange ratio (RER) in lean (LN) and overweight (OW) females. Twenty recreationally-active females (LN: n =10; OW: n = 10) completed two experimental sessions, consisting of HIRT and two acute nutritional interventions: PRO and placebo (PLA). RER was analyzed …

Astaxanthin Supplementation Does Not Significantly Alter Cognitive Performance Following Mental Fatigue In Females, Gavin A. Barker

Dissertations

Mental fatigue (MF) is a psychobiological state caused by prolonged periods of demanding cognitive activity, often characterized by impairments to cognitive performance. Astaxanthin (AX) is a naturally occurring antioxidant that can cross the blood-brain barrier and may preserve cognition when presented with a MF challenge. As yet, no studies have yet been conducted in an all-female cohort. This is the first study to investigate 4-weeks of AX supplementation on markers of cognitive performance (reaction time (RT), speed, and responses correct per second (RCS), visual analog scale of mental exertion (VAS-E)) following acute MF. Twenty-five recreationally active female subjects (AX: n …

The Impact Of University Engagement On Psychosocial Factors Among Division I Female Student-Athletes, Ashley A. Cook

Dissertations

Background: Female student-athletes navigate unique psychosocial challenges balancing academics and athletics, yet limited research has explored the impact of university engagement on their social and emotional well-being. This study examines the impact of university engagement on sense of social fit (SSF), nonspecific psychological distress (NPD), and loneliness among Division I female student-athletes.

Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among female student-athletes (n = 111) from eight sports at a mid-sized NCAA Division I university in the Southern U.S. Participants completed validated measures using the SSF scale, UCLA Loneliness scale, and Kessler-6 Psychological Distress scale. An exploratory factor analysis was performed …

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 …

Menstrual Cycle Phase Exerts No Influence On Running Economy Parameters In Recreational Female Runners, Savanna K. Knight

Dissertations

Hormonal fluctuations that occur throughout the menstrual cycle (MC) have been shown to affect substrate utilization and oxygen uptake when running. These MC induced changes could manifest as altered running economy (RE) when expressed as energy cost (Ec) and oxygen cost (O2c). Therefore, the current study aimed to determine if RE differs between MC phases, the early follicular phase (E-FP) and the mid-luteal phase (M-LP). Twelve eumenorrheic female recreational runners (ages 25 ± 4y; VO2peak 40.9±4.6 ml/kg/min) completed submaximal RE bouts (60%, 70%, 80% of VO2peak) during the E-FP and M-LP. During each bout, oxygen consumption (VO2), respiratory exchange ratio …

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 …

Patient Handling Interventions And Their Role In Reducing Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Healthcare Workers, Ashley L. Hawke

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are prominent among healthcare professionals, especially those who perform manual patient handling tasks. Assistive devices (e.g., slider sheet, gait belt, mechanical lift) have been used for patient handling. However, the effectiveness of these devices in reducing MSD risk factors is varied. Additionally, the relationship between healthcare workers’ acceptability of patient handling devices and organizational policies that facilitate or hinder widespread implementation is not well understood. The goal of my dissertation was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of existing patient handling devices and their role in mitigating MSD risk among healthcare workers. For Study 1, I conducted a …

Proactive Use Of Perturbation Training On Balance And Posture Control In Geriatric Rehabilitation- An Experimental Study, Reema Joshi, Kinjal Shah

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background:

Ageing is a complex process involving a range of variables that interact to cause deterioration of various physiological functions.

Objectives:

Study attempts to find effect of Perturbation training on postural control upon Centre of Gravity (COG) sway velocity in older individuals using modified-Clinical Test of Sensory Integration on Balance (mCTSIB) component on NeuroCom Balance master® and Timed up and go(TUG) test.

Methods:

An experimental study, employing a pre-post intervention model, involved 30 individuals aged 65-85 years with mild to moderate fall risk was conducted at Tertiary Hospital, Pune from August 2022 to January 2023. Perturbation Training was given …

Factors Affecting Sport-Related Concussion Non-Disclosure In Women's Rugby-A Multi-Country Qualitative Analysis, Lisa Ryan, Ed Daly, Katherine Hunzinger

Department of Exercise Science Faculty Papers

Background and Objectives: Collision-sport athletes, such as rugby players, are at risk of sport-related concussion (SRC). Women are known to be at higher risk of SRC and may experience more severe and chronic symptomology than men. Knowledge of the factors that affect a player’s disclosure of their concussive symptoms could help to inform strategies to improve compliance with reporting and management of head injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that may impact women rugby players’ disclosure of a concussion. Methods: Twenty-eight adult (≥18 years of age) elite and semi-elite women rugby players from the UK …

Programmatic Accreditation: Implementation Strategies For College Kinesiology Program Directors, Kworweinski Lafontant

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Programmatic accreditation within Kinesiology sub-disciplines, such as physical therapy and sports medicine, have typically been required at the graduate level. Within the coming decade, major certifications for exercise physiology (ACSM-EP) and strength & conditioning (CSCS) will institute programmatic accreditation requirements at the undergraduate level. This article takes a narrative review approach at examining ways that programmatic accreditation at the undergraduate level may impact incoming undergraduate students, such as necessitating earlier specialization and limiting the ability for late-stage career changes. To mitigate these impacts, college kinesiology program directors may benefit from considering the perspectives of students as they work to meet …

Game On! A Comparative Analysis Of External Load In Division Iii Soccer Players Across Gender And Position, Bianca J. De Lucia, Daniel M. Smith, Ashima Fillbach, Mary K. Feit

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Global positioning systems have been used increasingly in sports science due to their ability to quantify external loads of athletes during competitions and practices. Limited research has examined gender differences in external load throughout a collegiate soccer season. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare game workloads across collegiate men (MSOC) and women (WSOC) soccer players. Division III MSOC and WSOC players wore GPS devices during games throughout a 15-week season. METHODS: Metrics analyzed from GPS data were: total distance (TD), sprint distance (SD), number of deceleration efforts (decel) (>-3 m/s²), number of acceleration efforts (accel) ( …

The Relationship Between International Tennis Association Rankings And Total Athleticism Score In Collegiate Athletes, Ryne Yamashiro, Paulette Yamada, Trevor Short

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Training tennis athletes for peak athletic performance may translate to enhanced on-court performance, resulting in higher rankings. However, the specific trainable tennis attributes that account for the variance in International Tennis Association (ITA) remain elusive. ITA Rankings are calculated based on how a collegiate tennis athlete performs whereby their rankings will change based on wins or losses and scores against their opponents ITA Ranking. A lower ITA Ranking (closer to 1) indicates a higher ranked tennis player. Holistic athletic profiling can be performed by assessing multiple key performance indicators, with the total athleticism score (TAS) being utilized to …

Grip Strength As An Indicator Of Neuromuscular Recovery, Emily Wilhelm

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Purpose: To evaluate whether grip strength accurately tracks recovery from lower-body exercise comparable to other physical tests and a blood biomarker. Methods: Six subjects (three males and three females) completed testing for estimated 1-RM, jump squat velocity, grip strength, creatine kinase and leg extension peak torque one day prior to a fatiguing session of 10 sets of squats for 10 repetitions at 60% of estimated 1-RM. Each of these tests, as well as ratings of muscular soreness were performed again 24, 48 and 72 hours after the session of squats. Results: For peak torque, the 24 hours (129.5± 35.0 …

Advocating For Occupational Therapy Intervention With In-House Athletics, Jatia Littles, Cynthia Haynes

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Occupational therapists (OT) have the opportunity to work with athletes by outsourcing through orthopedic centers with professional leagues such as the National Football League (NFL) (Jobs in Sports, 2022) but rarely do you see OTs within the sports complex working in-house. Although many studies go into great detail on the benefits of occupational therapy during the rehabilitation process, there are only a limited number of studies that explore occupational therapy intervention in athletics (Andreas et al., 2021). This project designed and implemented an occupational therapy-focused advocacy project that involves informing interprofessional sports faculty on the benefits of OTs being a …

A011: Effects Of Aerobic Exercise On Microbiota: Gut-Brain Axis And Hippocampal Neurotransmitters In Aging Mice, Yuqian Liu, Wenqian Yang, Haitao Wang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Background/Objective: Gut flora plays an important role in host stress response, anxiety, depression and cognitive function through the gut-brain axis. Microbial diversity decreases with age, which in turn affects the function of the nervous system. The role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of age-related diseases and neurodegenerative diseases has received increasing attention. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the regulatory role of intestinal flora, gut-brain axis and nervous system function in the prevention of nervous system function decline in the elderly.

Methods: The sample consisted of 16, 52-week-old SPF C57BL/6 male mice that were randomly divided …