Motor Control Commons^™

Effects Of Added Vestibular Noise On Blindfolded Locomotor Veering, Russell J. Carmichael, Allison Sam, Philip K. Schot Phd

International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities

BACKGROUND: Nearly every fundamentally healthy human, regardless of fitness, age, or gender is incapable of walking in a perfectly straight line when visual information is removed. This is known as veering. Many different potential causes have been examined, but the most persuasive explanation is that without visual input, sensory interference (or noise) accumulates and causes random motor output errors. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine veering behavior during blindfolded walking when added vestibular noise (vibration) was applied to the skull at select locations. METHODS: A handheld massager attached at the top of the head or over one …

You’Re Too Slow! Self-Selected Volitional Efforts Reveal Unexploited Neuromuscular Reserve Capacity Compared To Maximal Efforts During Fatiguing, Load Equated Resistance Exercise, Brian Benitez

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

This investigation examined how movement intent influences neuromuscular excitation strategies during fatiguing resistance exercise, comparing maximal intended concentric efforts versus self-selected volitional efforts during load-equated Smith machine back squat exercise to quantify reserve capacity and characterize underlying neuromuscular mechanisms. Twenty-three resistance-trained participants (12 males, 11 females) completed a repeated-measures design, with replication, across six visits, performing smith machine back squat repetitions-to-failure at 70% 1RM under maximal intent (accelerate rapidly) and volitional intent (self-selected effort) conditions. Maximal voluntary isometric contractions used rapid (instantaneous 10-second effort) and ramp (5-second build-up, 5-second maximal) protocols. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was recorded from vastus lateralis and …

Computational Approaches For Diagnosing Neurological Impairments And Restoring Functional Movement, Serhii Bahdasariants

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Movement is the primary means by which the nervous system converts intention into interaction with the environment. Voluntary limb motion enables standing, walking, reaching, and grasping—actions that underpin self‑care, communication, and economic participation. When diseases or injuries disrupt the pathways that couple neural commands to muscle forces—whether through cortical stroke, spinal cord injury, or peripheral nerve damage—mechanical outcomes such as weakness, loss of coordination, and ultimately reduced mobility emerge. These impairments cascade into secondary complications, increased dependence on caregivers, and diminished quality of life. Quantifying how the lesion alters the mechanics of movement is therefore essential for designing targeted interventions …

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 …

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) ( …

Clinical Utility Of Opencap Motion Analysis In Lower Limb Prosthesis Users, Sarahi Fernandez Leon

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

The use of prosthetics has gradually increased due to various diseases, and it is estimated that 35-40 million people are prosthetic/orthotic users, with the number estimated to increase to two billion by 2050. Mobility has been determined to be a strong predictor of quality of life. There are various ways to measure mobility and predict outcomes in lower-limb amputees (LLA), such as self-report and performance-based measures. However, these come with many limitations, showcasing the need for quantitative measures of gait parameters to allow for better development of prosthetic components. Motion analysis tools are expensive and time consuming, but an inexpensive, …

Influence Of Acute High-Intensity Resistance Exercise On Cognitive Performance And Prefrontal Cortex Oxygenation In Recreational Weightlifters, Samuel M. Camacho, Terence Moriarty, Mick G. Mack, Jacob P. Reed, Hyeyoung Cho

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Acute exercise has been shown to be effective in improving post-exercise cognitive performance, including executive function. In addition, changes in prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation have been linked to any such improvements. Since resistance and higher intensity exercise is much less studied, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of high-intensity resistance exercise on cognitive performance and to determine if PFC activation was related to this cognitive performance in recreationally trained weightlifters. Ten (M = 5, F = 5) college aged (22 ± 2 years) recreationally trained weightlifters completed the Stroop task prior to and 15- and 30-min …

Incidence Of Achilles Tendon Ruptures And Associated Factors In Women's Artistic Gymnastics, Kayla Horton, Amanda Hawkes

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 5: Issue 1, Article 10, 2024.

Achilles tendon rupture risk appears to be higher in women's artistic gymnastics compared to other collegiate sports, however little is understood about personal, training, and performance factors potentially associated with this elevated risk. Previous research has only examined gymnasts who have sustained Achilles tendon ruptures while in an NCAA environment. The overall incidence of Achilles tendon ruptures among gymnasts has not been assessed. This study aims to identify injury factors, Achilles rupture incidence and training habits related to Achilles tendon ruptures in current and former women’s artistic …

Observers Have Similar Improvements In Student Learning Outcomes As Participants In Athletic Training Simulation Education: A Pilot Study., Alma R. Mattocks Phd, Atc, Chse, Sara E. Mahoney Phd, Facsm, Rachele E. Vogelpohl Phd, Atc, Kim Hawkins Phd, Aprn, Fnp-C

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

Introduction: The use of standardized patient (SP) encounters in athletic training education programs have become more common; however, due to time and space constraints, it is possible that not all athletic training students will be able to participate and some must be observers. The objective of this study was to determine if observers experience similar improvements in student learning outcomes as participants for SP encounters. Methods: A pretest/posttest, non-randomized controlled trial was utilized. Nine athletic training students volunteered to participate in the research study. All participants completed a pretest survey including a knowledge assessment and confidence rating scale, followed by …

Bidirectional Nature Of Work Family Conflict: Family Interfering With Work Conflict Among Athletic Trainers In The Collegiate Setting, Stephanie M. Singe, Milana Adaspour, Alexandrya Cairns, William Pitney

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

Introduction: Work-family conflict is bidirectional, yet research has largely only investigated the extent to which work interferes with family conflict (WIFC) and not whether family interferes with work conflict (FIWC). Objective: Investigate FIWC among collegiate athletic trainers. Specifically, we were focused on relationships between gender, marital status, employment status of the athletic trainer’s spouse, and number of children. Methods: Data were collected via a cross-sectional, online survey (Qualtrics). Descriptive statistics were calculated for demographic information; Mann Whitney U analyses were utilized to discover differences between gender, marital status, employment status of spouse, and number of children.

Results: 984 (605 women, …

Telehealth Education In Athletic Training, W. David Carr, Mccall E. Christian, Jennifer L. Volberding, Zachary K. Winkelmann

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

Context: Within the broad telehealth education literature, there are numerous case studies and position statements from various associations of model practices. Little is known about how athletic training is addressing telehealth education. Objective: To determine how athletic training education programs teach, assess, and structure telehealth content. Design: Cross-sectional study Setting: Online survey instrument Patients or Other Participants: An institutional athletic training faculty member from 82 athletic training programs in the United States. Data Collection and Analysis: The survey contained the validated Telehealth Evaluative Content in Higher Education (TECHE) instrument, which consisted of descriptive items focused on how education programs teach, …

Athletic Training Students’ Experiences And Perceptions Of Exertional Heat Stroke Simulated Encounters: A Qualitative Analysis, Hannah L. Stedge, Malissa Martin, Beth L. Kinslow, Valerie Herzog, Christine Reyes

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

Introduction: Athletic trainers are trained to recognize exertional heat stroke (EHS), which is critical to implementing lifesaving measures. Rectal thermometry is the best practice for recognizing EHS, and the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) requires students to learn rectal thermometry. Rooted in transformative learning theory, this study explored the perceptions and experiences of athletic training students following simulated EHS encounters with either high-fidelity (HF) simulators or standardized patients (SPs). Methods: This was a qualitative study using phenomenological theory. Through semi-structured qualitative interviews, we explored participants' personal experiences and perceptions following their simulation interventions. Participants included sixteen first-year …

The Effects Of Anchor Scheme On The Central And Peripheral Contributions To Performance Fatigability, Perceived Responses And Sensations, And Psychological Factors Following Sustained, Isometric Forearm Flexion Tasks To Failure, Robert Walker Smith

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The Effects of Anchor Scheme on the Central and Peripheral Contributions to Performance Fatigability, Perceived Responses and Sensations, and Psychological Factors Following Sustained, Isometric Forearm Flexion Tasks to Failure Robert W. Smith, Ph.D. University of Nebraska, 2024 Advisor: Terry J. Housh This study assessed time to task failure (TTF), performance fatigability (PF), neuromuscular responses, central and peripheral measures of fatigue, and perceived responses including sensations and psychological factors that contributed to task termination during sustained, isometric forearm flexion tasks anchored to ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and the torque corresponding to RPE. Fifteen men (age = 21.5 ± 2.3 yrs; …

Breakaway Roping – Event Analysis And Resistance Training Model, Andrew A. Wolfe, Libby E. Winchell, Ruth Caddell, Jackson Maynard, Gillian Braden

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 5: Issue 1, Article 9, 2024. Breakaway roping is a rodeo event that has received little empirical investigation, and to the best of our knowledge, no specialized resistance training recommendations have been disseminated. Furthermore, the purpose of this article was to (1) outline and analyze the biomechanical and physiological requirements of breakaway roping, and (2) articulate a theoretical specialized annual strength training and conditioning periodization plan for collegiate breakaway roping rodeo athletes. Included within the training plan are 8 distinct mesocycles containing general and event specific exercises of which are associated with the …

In Football Players With Scaphoid Fractures, How Does Surgical Intervention Compare To A Conservative Intervention For The Outcomes Of Repair? A Critically Appraised Topic, Kaitlin Brun, Meggan Bartok, Caitlin Craig, Ally Smith

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

CLINICAL SCENARIO

Scaphoid injuries are common in high impact or high collision sports with 11% of all hand injuries and 60%-70% of all carpal injuries being attributed to the scaphoid bone. Athletes at the highest risk include males ages 20-24 years of age and those who participate in football, basketball, or ice hockey. Fracture of the scaphoid are often misdiagnosed which increase the chance of a nonunion fracture. Currently most scaphoid fractures are treated either conservatively or with surgical interventions. The increasing knowledge of this injury leads us to question the best treatment options for future football athletes.

Effectiveness Of Kinesio Tape In Treating Low Back Pain: A Critical Appraisal, Stacey Lansky, Sara Stiltner

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

CLINICAL SCENARIO

Low back pain is a musculoskeletal disorder that is expected to affect 80% of the population. ^2,7-8 There are several therapeutic interventions including modalities and rehabilitation exercises that have been used in standard treatment of low back pain to improve pain and disability. ^2,3,5,6,8,9 However, few studies have been done on the effects of Kinesio Tape (KT) on pain and disability in patients with low back pain. It should be a primary goal of clinicians treating patients with low back pain to understand if KT is an appropriate alternative intervention in treating pain and disability associated with low …

Athletic Trainers’ Knowledge And Perceived Ability Of Recognizing And Treating Panic Attacks, Caitlin Hill, Chyrsten Gessel, Jaclyn Tate

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

OBJECTIVE

Mental health is a condition of mental wellness that enables people to manage life's stressors, develop their potential, study and work effectively, and give back to their communities. One mental health condition is anxiety. Anxiety is the expectation of a threat in the future. There are multiple subtypes of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), specific phobias, separation anxiety, and panic disorder. This study investigates the relationship between ATs' knowledge and their perceived ability to identify and treat panic attacks.

Scapular Fracture In An Ice Hockey Player, Rachel N. Kornbluth, Art Mccreary, Aaron Lear

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

OBJECTIVE

Ice hockey is a fast and aggressive sport.^1-2 Due to deliberate collisions and fighting, a hard playing surface, and sharp skates, ice hockey players are at high and distinctive risk to injury.^2-5 The way in which ice hockey players collide with, or check, one another, makes the shoulder vulnerable. About 8.6-21.9% of injuries sustained in ice hockey involve the shoulder.⁴ Acromioclavicular joint sprains and anterior glenohumeral dislocations are most common.^1,4-5 This case presents a 25-year-old male collegiate ice hockey player who sustained a recurrent right-sided glenohumeral dislocation after being checked from behind with his arm …

Cpr Knowledge And Skill Retention Among Ncaa Division Iii Athletic Coaches: A Prospective Cohort Study, Allison Hanstine, Jaclyn Tate, Chyrsten Gessel

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

OBJECTIVE

It is crucial for athletic coaches to be proficient in CPR knowledge and skill performance for the health and safety of their athletes. This research aimed to assess CPR knowledge and CPR skill retention five months post-training among athletic coaches. In addition, the study assessed whether the number of years certified in CPR had an association with CPR skill performance scores five months post-training.

The Effectiveness Of Patient Education In A High School Setting, Noah Silvers, Laura L. Harris

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

OBJECTIVE

To compare different types of patient education when recommending best practices for the care of ankle sprains and concussions in adolescents.

Barriers To Implementation Of Post-Concussion Grade Exercise Tests, Tyler Beauregard

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

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the potential barriers to sports physical therapy and athletic training clinicians implementing graded exertional tests, specifically for their patients following concussion.

Accuracy Of Ottawa Ankle Rules In Adolescent Foot And Ankle Injuries, Kalie Siereveld, Olivia Teague, Laura L. Harris

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

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of Ottawa Ankle Rules (OAR) for informing physician referrals secondary to ankle and foot injuries within adolescents.

Quality Improvement Of A Post-Concussion Recovery Protocol, Halle Strege, Kaitlyn Burnham, Laura L. Harris

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

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of a post-concussion recovery protocol in an adolescent athletic population.

An Investigation Of Aed Access In One Secondary School, Michelle Skaggs, Laura L. Harris

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

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the accessibility and time required to retrieve and apply Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) against established standards.

Athletic Trainer Confidence In The Management Of Abdominal Injuries And Gi Conditions, Emily C. Roberts, Janet E. Simon

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

OBJECTIVE

Inadequate evidence, position statements, clinical practice and post-surgical guidelines challenge athletic trainers’ capabilities to provide care for abdominal injuries and GI conditions.^1-4 The primary objective of this study is to assess athletic trainers’ confidence in the management and treatment of abdominal injuries and GI conditions compared to musculoskeletal injuries.

The Effect Of Task Demands On Decision Making In Dynamic, Sport-Like Virtual Environments, Jeromy Alt, Paula L. Silva, Tehran Davis, Adam W. Kiefer, Ryan Macpherson

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

OBJECTIVE

To determine if level of temporal pressure to arrive at a desired location explains decisions about passability of closing gaps between opponents encountered and how decisions change with task experience.

The Effect Of Ankle Foot Orthotics On Collegiate Athletes’ Sprint Biomechanics, Elizabeth A. Starns, Paige Tucker

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

OBJECTIVE

Carbon composite dynamic response ankle foot orthotics (CCDRAFOs) are lightweight ankle braces originally made to help pathologically involved legs walk more efficiently¹. Since CCDRAFOs are traditionally not used on able-bodied individuals, there is limited information on the effects of CCDRAFOs on sprint performance of able-bodied athletes. However, the technology behind CCDRAFOs effectiveness has been suggested to have ergogenic aid properties^2-5. This study’s purpose was to evaluate the effects of CCDRAFOs on collegiate athletes’ lower extremity biomechanics, specifically ankle and knee joint angles.

Neurocognitive Performance Differences Between Athletes Who Are Deaf Or Hard-Of-Hearing And Athletes Who Are Hearing, Matthew P. Brancaleone, Jaclyn Caccese, James Onate

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

OBJECTIVE

There are over 71,000 college students in the United States who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (D/HoH), with many participating in athletics. Athletes who are D/HoH have similar concussion rates to athletes who are hearing at the collegiate level. Differences in neurocognitive baseline performance between athletes who are D/HoH and athletes who are hearing may exist due to misunderstanding of written English instructions or differences in sensory processing. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare neurocognitive performance between athletes who are hearing and athletes who are D/HoH.

Using Standardized Patients As A Tool To Explore Student Critical Thinking, Sara Stiltner, Andrea Cripps

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

OBJECTIVE

Standardized patients (SP) are a tool utilized regularly in athletic training to promote student confidence and independent thinking. SP are widely used in nursing, physical therapy, and in over 80% of medical education programs.¹ The use of SP to supplement student learning and career preparation, in the undergraduate setting has been a validated in increasing student confidence.³ SP’s are a tool that utilize an actor trained to portray a patient who has a specific medical condition or illness and the actor is trained to respond to the students in a consistent manner.^1,2 SP’s allow students the …

The Impact Of Differing Instability Devices On Postural Sway Parameters, Kacey Wallace

Honors Theses

Single-limb balance training is an integral part of preventing and rehabilitating lower extremity injuries. Practitioners use instability devices to provide a progressive overload to an individual during single-limb balance training sessions. Previous investigations have shown that when using instability devices, differences may or may not exist in postural sway parameters during use depending on the specific devices being assessed. Thus, this investigation sought to examine differences between a commonly used foam pad and a novel instability device (block) in measures of postural sway.

This experiment consisted of 22 healthy individuals with no history of lower extremity injury and neurological disorders. …