Motor Control Commons^™

The Effect Of Fatigue On Lower Extremity Joint Kinematics And Performance, Shelley Payne, Sarah Alloto, Joe Wilkins, Ashley Simons

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

OBJECTIVE

ACL injuries are multifactorial in nature meaning they can be the result of faulty biomechanics, individual genetic predisposition, or environmental factors (Alentorn- Geli et al., 2009). A focus of most healthcare professionals including physical therapists and athletic trainers includes the screening for preventable risk factors for non- contact ACL injuries. Preventable risk factors include asymmetry between a person’s limbs, decreased hamstring strength, increased muscle fatigue, decreased landing angle of hip and knee Tlexion, increased valgus landing, and lack of Tlexibility in the hip internal rotators (Brophy, 2021). Given the short and long-term negative consequences of an ACL injury, it …

The Effects Of Attentional Focus Instructions On Approach Jump Performance, Hanwen Liu

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Introduction: Attentional focus is a crucial factor that impacts motor learning and performance. Instructions that direct performers’ attention externally (i.e., toward the effects of movements) have been shown to enhance performance compared to those that direct attention internally (i.e., toward the body’s movements). Research has also demonstrated that novices perform better when they are instructed to focus externally on the process of skill execution versus the outcome. However, this effect has not been tested in complex jumping skills that are important in many sports.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to test the effects of internally and externally directed …

Gaze During Turning In Older Adults, Kalina Mavrov

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

To navigate complex environments, our gaze needs to attenuate to locomotor tasks, such as walking and turning. Shifting gaze (i.e., rotation of the eyes and head), is important when moving through different environments. The aim of this study was to compare gaze anticipation during clinical tests and complex real-world locomotion. I hypothesized that older adults would shift their gaze in a new heading direction in anticipation of turns. I further predicted increased gaze anticipation in tasks that have a high demand for spatial orientation. Participants were asked to complete clinical tasks consisting of a 2-minute walk, figure-8, and 360-turning in …

Obstacle Crossing In Healthy Young And Older Individuals, Hope M. Hanson, Ashlyn M. Jendro, Abigail C. Schmitt

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: In the United States, the average population age is rising and will continue to increase in the coming years.With an older population comes increased risk of injury associated with falls. Falls are considered a leading cause of injury and death in older individuals, and many falls are caused by body imbalance or obstacle collision due to a clearly visible stationary object (e.g., rug, chair, branch). Older adults tend to cross obstacles with increased toe clearance in order to prevent tripping, but much of what is known about obstacle crossing in older adults is limited to artificial obstacles that are …

Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation Does Not Decrease Torque Loss Over High Intensity Repetitions, Ian Koskinen

All NMU Master's Theses

Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation, TENS, has been used widely as an analgesic and ergogenic aid for many years. Compared to other modalities of electrical stimulation, TENS has been shown to provide some benefits in exercise performance by reducing pain and increasing endurance in low intensity applications, such as time trial cycling or isometric endurance. While TENS has been shown to have a significant effect on exercise induced pain in individuals performing endurance activities, to my knowledge it has not been examined in high intensity contractions. 18 active young adults (age: 23.11 years ± 2.08, resistance training experience: 7.08 years ± 3.79, …

Guidelines For “Topics Brief” Submissions, James W. Navalta, Robert Salatto, Donald L. Hoover, Andrea Stevenson

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 6, 2023. The “Topics Brief”, a novel submissions format, is introduced with authors guidelines. Within this submissions format, a category describing a target audience should be identified, such as Topics Brief for: Patients, Clinicians, Practitioners, or Students. Authors may also suggest their own category for a target audience. The title should be descriptive and allow for maximum searchability. Authorship criteria include a substantial contribution, assisting with the manuscript draft, and approval of the final version. The format is open, with a focus of presenting work in a clear and …

Introducing The “Topics Brief”: Bridging The Gap Between University And Non-Academics In A Potentially More Meaningful Way, James W. Navalta, Robert Salatto, Donald L. Hoover, Andrea Stevenson

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 5, 2023. Introducing the “Topics Brief”, aiming to bridge the gap between university and non-academics. Topics Briefs should include the following: 1. Share what was done to a non-academic audience, 2. Condensed format (limited to 1-2 pages, 1 page preferred), 3. Include only the most important parts (i.e., main concepts, main results, main learned experience) to be implemented in practical application, 4. May be heavily visual (we encourage authors to be creative)

Attentional Focus Effects On Motor Variability, Charlend Kenneth Howard

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Subtle changes in task instructions with associated changes of one’s focus of attention (FOA) can have measurable effects on performance and learning of complex motor skills (Wulf, 2013). The beneficial effects of adopting an external focus of attention (EF) have been well-documented in physical environments, and recently have also been demonstrated in virtual reality (VR) environments (Cochran, Aiken, Rhea, & Raisbeck, 2021; Yamada, Kuznetsov, Diekfuss, & Raisbeck, 2021). However, these studies primarily focused on performance outcomes (such as error and accuracy), with relatively less emphasis on movement coordination. Given that most human movements are motor abundant (more degrees of freedom …

Muscular Strength Predicts Phase Angle In Breast Cancer Survivors, Trevor Short, Cheri Teranishi-Hashimoto, Paulette Yamada

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 4, 2023. Phase angle (PhA) has emerged as a prognostic indicator of survival and quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients. Identifying measures of physical fitness that correlate with PhA can provide guidance toward optimizing cancer rehabilitation programs and future research. The purpose was to examine the relationship between PhA and physical fitness in breast cancer survivors. Sixty-three breast cancer survivors (60 ± 9 years, PhA 4.59±0.52, mean±SD) completed assessments for muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, and body composition. PhA and body composition were measured using bioimpedance …

The Pursuit Of Peak Athletic Performance, Trevor Short

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 3, 2023. Achieving peak performance in sports is a multifactorial phenomenon that spans several scientific disciplines. The optimization of human performance requires a comprehensive and systematic assessment that identifies potential performance-inhibiting factors. The result of such analysis allows for more individualized and accurate evaluation, athlete monitoring, and training interventions. Thus, there is a need for a multidisciplinary model of peak performance to guide practitioners when conducting a comprehensive analysis. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a brief but practical vade mecum for practitioners to consider in the …

Changes In Attitudes And Functional Performance After An Educational Intervention And Participation In The Dime In Cadets, Emily Gabriel, Cameron Powden

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

Introduction: Cadets frequently suffer from lower extremity injuries, but fail to participate in effective injury prevention programs (IPPs). The purpose of this study was to determine if an intervention focused on benefits and barriers of IPP with participation in an IPP would change attitudes towards participating in IPPs and functional performance. Methods: Thirty-four ROTC cadets (Male: n=28, Age: 19.67±1.45 years, Height: 175.57±8.30cm, Mass: 75.38±14.30kg) volunteered to participate in the study. Participants completed the Health Belief Model Scale (HBMS), Theory of Planned Behavior Scale (TPBS), Y-Balance test, Landing Error Scoring System, 2-mile run, push-up test, and sit-up test. During the Army …

The Theory Of Planned Behavior As A Framework To Identify Attitudes And Perceptions Of Athletic Trainers Towards Quality Improvement, Meredith Madden, Dominique M. Ross

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

Purpose: The BOC announced a concept for continuing professional certification for athletic trainers (ATs), including an optional quality improvement (QI) project to examine practice performance. The purpose of this study was to examine current attitudes, perceived control and subjective norms of ATs regarding QI. Method: Data was collected using a qualitative descriptive design. A web-based survey was distributed via email and social media. Open-ended questions were evaluated by two independent coders using a general inductive approach. Results: Three major themes emerged: reservations about QI, benefits of QI, and impacts on the profession. Conclusions: When integrated into the Theory of Planned …

Effects Of A Race Timer On The 3-Minute All-Out Test For Critical Power, Paul Mandell, Boe Burrus, Taylor Bloedon

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 2, 2023. The 3-min all-out cycling test (3MT) elicits valuable fitness metrics including V̇O_2peak, HR_max, Critical Power (CP), and Work Above End Power (WEP; equivalent to work prime; W’). Twelve (n = 12) healthy active males were recruited to participate in the current study on the effects of the implementation of a race timer on the 3MT. Participants completed a V̇O_2peak test and one 3MT familiarization trial before completing one standard 3MT and one 3MT with the presence of a countdown race timer in …

A Novel Digital Digit-Symbol Substitution Test Measuring Processing Speed In Adults At Risk For Alzheimer Disease: Validation Study, Anthony Campitelli, Sally Paulson, Josh L. Gills, Megan D. Jones, Erica N. Madero, Jennifer Myers, Jordan M. Glenn, Michelle Gray

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Assessing cognitive constructs affected by Alzheimer disease, such as processing speed (PS), is important to screen for potential disease and allow for early detection. Digital PS assessments have been developed to provide widespread, efficient cognitive testing, but all have been validated only based on the correlation between test scores. Best statistical practices dictate that concurrent validity should be assessed for agreement or equivalence rather than using correlation alone.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the concurrent validity of a novel digital PS assessment against a gold-standard measure of PS.

Methods: Adults aged 45-75 years (n=191) participated in this study. …

Effects Of Occupational Tasks And Personal Protective Equipment On Static And Functional Balance Among Career Firefighters, Petra Kis

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal injuries are commonly incurred on the fireground among firefighters. Most injuries are attributable to overexertion, fall, jump, slip, and trip mechanisms. These injuries may be caused by many factors, including the independent and collective effects of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and the fatigue induced by performing occupational tasks. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PPE and fire suppression tasks on static and functional balance among firefighters. METHODS: 32 healthy male career structural firefighters (Age: 31.8±9.5 yr) volunteered for this study. Static and Functional Balance Tests (FBT) were performed in …

Dataset For Effects Of Single-Session Practice Structure On Motor Skill Acquisition And Alpha And Beta Eeg Oscillations, Audrey Porter, Ronald V. Croce, Wayne Smith

Faculty Publications

Although it is known that practicing a motor skill updates the associated internal model, it is still unclear as to how cortical oscillations linked with the motor skill change under differing practice schedules. The current study investigated α- and β-power changes associated with motor skill acquisition. Firstly, we investigated the behavioral effects of practice on motor learning and retention during repetitive (RP) and variable (VP) practice schedules on an anticipation timing task. Secondly, we investigated changes in cortical α (10-13 HZ) and β (15-30 Hz) event-related synchronization and dyssynchronization (ERS/ERD) under RP and VP during early (EP) and late …

Effect Of Sleep Restriction On Quadriceps’ Strength And Voluntary Activation, Scott Sigrist

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Background: As little as three nights of sleep restriction reduces muscle strength. More than one-third of Americans are chronically sleep restricted (< 7.0 hours/night) and are at risk of muscle weakness (dynapenia). Presently, the mechanistic cause of sleep restriction-induced dynapenia (SRID) has not been elucidated. Rapid changes in muscle strength are typically driven by short-term changes in muscle contractility or voluntary recruitment. The purpose of this study was to investigate how sleep restriction affects muscle contractile function and voluntary recruitment. Methods: A sample of 12 subjects (age 24.8 ± 2.6y) underwent isometric and isokinetic knee extensor muscle testing following 3d of adequate sleep (SA; 8.05 ± 0.45h), 3 d of sleep restriction (SR; 5.02 ± 0.05h), and 7d of washout (WO, 8.27 ± 0.50). The morning (7-11a local time) following the last day of each sleep period, subjects performed muscle strength testing using an isokinetic dynamometer. Subjects sat upright with the dominant leg secured at 60⁰ of knee flexion to optimize maximal quadriceps torque. They then performed 3 maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) of the quadriceps. Then subjects performed 6 submaximal contractions at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90% of the greatest MVIC. Next, subjects completed an interpolated twitch experiment while on the isokinetic dynamometer to assess voluntary activation. Finally, subjects completed 5 repetitions of isometric contractions, in descending order, at speeds of 300, 240, 180, 120, and 60 degree/s. From these methods we measured the highest MVIC, calculated the voluntary activation (VA), measured twitch properties, and compared the torque-EMG relationship. One-way repeated measures ANOVA were used to compare sleep, MVIC, and VA values, two-way (time x twitch property) repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare twitch properties and the torque-EMG relationship. Results: MVIC torque decreased following SR compared to SA before and after sleep restriction (SA: 217.1 ± 69.4 Nm vs. SR: 199.4 ± 67.1 Nm, p = 0.032). MVIC after WO (219.2 ± 54.2 Nm) was significantly greater than SR (p = 0.018) but was not significantly different from SA (p = 0.991). Although peak isokinetic torque decreased with increasing velocity (p < 0.001), there was no significant effect of sleep or sleep x speed interaction. Peak twitch torque and rate of torque
development, but not relaxation rate, were significantly greater in the potentiated state, but no significant effect of sleep or sleep x time interaction was noted. Sleep 3 condition did not significantly affect voluntary activation (SA: 86.3 ± 11.1% v. SR:86.6 ± 11.9% v. WO 87.7 ± 11.1%; p = 0.695). The torque output at various levels ofelectromyography (EMG) activity was not significantly different among sleep conditions (p = 0.383). The mean power frequency (MPF) of the VL was …

Amphisbaenian Head Movement And Burrowing Forces In Damp Granular Media, Jacob Newell

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Damp granular media is a difficult environment to study because it is both practically complex and it lacks equations which fully describe its behavior. In this study, an oscillatory lateral head movement and its effects while penetrating damp granular media were tested using a robophysical model. This experimental research was inspired by the burrowing behavior of the clade Amphisbaenia, a group of usually limbless squamates that employ a variety of different burrowing behaviors, but it can apply to a wide range of burrowers. This research could help with both human burrowing technologies and the further investigation of animal behaviors.

Action Strategies Of Young Adults During An Attentionally Demanding Collision Avoidance Task In Virtual Reality, Brooke J. Thompson

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Walking and navigating through cluttered environments is a task that people do almost automatically while completing multiple cognitive and motor tasks simultaneously. Vision plays an essential role in adaptive locomotion as it allows individuals to make anticipatory actions (i.e., alter trajectory and/or gait speed) to successfully avoid oncoming collisions (Cinelli et al., 2008; Patla, 1997). To initiate a behaviour change at the appropriate time, humans rely on optical variables such as time-to-contact (TTC) (Cinelli & Patla, 2007). After determining when to initiate an avoidance behaviour, it is thought that humans maintain a protective zone (i.e., safety margin) by controlling the …