Motor Control Commons^™

Effects Of Balance Training On Spinal Reflexive Excitability Modulation, Corticospinal Excitability, And Balance Performance In Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability, Sunghoon Chung

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a neurophysiologic deficit resulting in diverse sensorimotor impairments. Following acute ankle sprains, pain, mechanical instability, and joint deafferentation reduce sensory input to the central nervous system (CNS). In response, the CNS sends altered motor signals to lower extremity muscles. These CNS changes contribute to various neuromuscular impairments in CAI patients, the most common of which is reduced balance performance. Specifically, CAI patients struggle to modulate spinal reflex excitability of the soleus muscle when progressing from simpler to more complex balance tasks. This overreliance on spinal reflexes results in inconsistent activation of the ankle stabilizing muscle. …

Determining The Barriers To The Use Of Post-Match Fatigue Monitoring In The Rugby Codes: A Concept Mapping Study., Mitch Naughton, Tannath Scott, Dan Weaving, Scott Mclean, Colin Solomon

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 5: Issue 1, Article 3, 2024. The rugby codes (i.e., rugby union, rugby league, rugby sevens [termed ‘rugby’]) are team-sports that impose complex physical demands upon players which in-turn, leads to domain-specific fatigue (e.g., neuromuscular, cardio-autonomic). Quantifying post-match fatigue through various methods and metrics is important to monitor player fatigue status, which influences training readiness. The specific and general barriers limiting the use of post-match fatigue monitoring in rugby are not presently known. Therefore, the aims of this study were to identify specific and general barriers (clusters of specific barriers) to the use …

Integrating Cannabis Education Into The Athletic Training Curriculum, Jeff G. Konin, Jimmy Onate

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

Context. Cannabis has become more prevalent in society and requires greater knowledge on the part of the athletic trainer. Objective. The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for recognizing how cannabis education can be integrated into the athletic training curriculum utilizing the existing accreditation standards. Background. For decades the use of cannabis has been illegal. Athletes who were caught with cannabis in their system were penalized by their respective e sport organization body. During the past decade in the United States the federal government has moved toward decriminalization and expungement for those found with and …

Breaking Barriers And Building Confidence: Interprofessional Education's Impact On Allied Health Students' Competence And Self-Efficacy In Addressing Exercise Accessibility For People With Disabilities, Elizabeth A. Starns, Rebecca Wehler, Lindsay A. Church, Stephanie Kubiak

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

Purpose: The researchers’ objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of an interprofessional educational (IPE) program on student learning while addressing exercise accessibility barriers experienced by people living with disabilities (PLWD), including allied health professionals’ lack of practical experience, knowledge, and perceived competence and comfort working with PLWD in a fitness setting. Method: A qualitative explanatory single case study approach utilizing individual interviews was used. The individual interviews that explored how a collaboration between allied health students influenced learning, perceived comfort, and perceived competence working with PLWD were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed. Results: Four major themes emerged: collaboration, comfort, …

Acute Ingestion Of Dark Chocolate Fails To Affect Running Economy In Recreational Female Runners, Bianca J. De Lucia, Beau Kjerulf Greer, Christopher B. Taber

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 5: Issue 1, Article 1, 2024. Ingestion of dark chocolate (DC), a dietary source high in flavanols, may increase nitric oxide bioavailability. Elevating blood nitric oxide concentrations may augment metabolic efficiency by reducing the amount of oxygen or energy needed to perform a given task. Utilizing a crossover design, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of acute ingestion of DC on running economy (RE). Nineteen recreationally trained females (age: 20±1 years) volunteered for this investigation, with 16 completing all procedures (n = 16). Two-hours before RE assessment, participants consumed …

Human System Composite Performance Measures: General Systems Performance Theory Insights, Lawrence Disalvi

Bioengineering Dissertations - Archive

Composite Performance Measures (CPMs) of human performance are widely employed in applications that range from mundane to life-changing, yet they are frequently presented without explanation or reference to theoretical underpinnings. The conceptual soundness of a widely used CPM approach, based on additive combination of constituent components, has been called into question by Kondraske. He argues the relevance of General Systems Performance Theory (GSPT) and performance capacity envelope concepts when applied to multidimensional CPM measures.

To obtain evidence-based answers to assertions regarding CPM types and rationale employed in medical and non-medical contexts, a Systematic Descriptive Review was conducted. Separately, the GSPT-based …

Acute Ingestion Of Dark Chocolate Fails To Affect Running Economy In Recreationally Trained Female Runners, Bianca De Lucia, Beau K. Greer, Christopher B. Taber

PTHMS Graduate Publications

Ingestion of dark chocolate (DC), a dietary source high in flavanols, may increase nitric oxide bioavailability. Elevating blood nitric oxide concentrations may augment metabolic efficiency by reducing the amount of oxygen or energy needed to perform a given task. Utilizing a crossover design, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of acute ingestion of DC on running economy (RE). Nineteen recreationally trained females (age: 20±1 years) volunteered for this investigation, with 16 completing all procedures (n = 16). Two-hours before RE assessment, participants consumed either 42.5 g of DC or an isocaloric amount of white chocolate (WC) …

Mimicking An Asymmetrically Walking Visual Cue Alters Gait Symmetry In Healthy Adults, Krista G. Clark, Louisa D. Raisbeck, Scott E. Ross, Christopher K. Rhea

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Gait asymmetries are a common problem in clinical populations, such as those with a history of stroke or Parkinson’s disease. The use of a split-belt treadmill is one way to enhance gait symmetry but relies on specialty (and typically expensive) equipment. Alternatively, visual cues have been shown as a method to alter gait mechanics, but their utility in altering gait symmetry has been relatively understudied. Before deploying this method to clinical populations, a proof-of-concept study is needed to explore using visual cues to alter gait symmetry in healthy adults. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the extent …

Using A Reverse Visually Guided Reaching Task To Distinguish Between Healthy Aging And Early Alzheimer’S Disease, Brandon Woolman

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Changes in motor behavior may function as a proxy for cognitive decline. While Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with impairments in learning and memory, recent studies suggest that subtle changes in motor task performance may reflect early cognitive changes. For example, the visuomotor rotation task that manipulates visual feedback about hand position during reaching movements, can be used to examine cognitive changes in aging populations. The current study used the reverse visually guided reaching task (rVGR) which rotates visual feedback of participant’s hand position 180⁰ relative to the actual hand position. We sought to expand on previous literature by recruiting …

Developing A Methodology For Evaluating Postural Control And Functional Ability In Children With Cerebral Palsy, Abigail Schoppa

Honors College Theses

Background: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a non-progressive group of disorders that interferes with postural control and gross motor function (GMF). The purpose of this study was to develop a methodology to evaluate and link postural control and functional ability by identifying the best measures to use.

Methods: For this study, children between the ages of 12 and 22 who have CP and a Gross Motor Function Classification System level I to III were recruited. They performed a series of gross motor tests from the BOT-2 while standing on a force plate to record their center of pressure (COP) movement. Several …

Modulation Of Persistent Inward Currents With Changes In Posture And Cutaneous Sensory Input, Ryan William Weller

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Spinal motor neuron (MN) persistent inward currents (PIC) increase and sustain the MN output. PIC is amplified by descending monoamines and reduced by afferent inhibition. There is strong coupling between plantar cutaneous sensory input and lower limb MNs. Given that monoaminergic drive is altered with postures and motor tasks, our purpose was to assess posture-dependent plantar cutaneous sensory modulation of tibialis anterior (TA) MNs. We hypothesize that: 1) a supine position will suppress PIC, 2) removing the load from the bottom of the heel will inflate PIC, and 3) cutaneous stimulation of the plantar aspect of the heel will reduce …

Understanding Physical Activity Preferences And Motives In U.S. Adults, Christopher R. Hill, Malasher Johnson, Victoria Mazaras, Stephen Samendinger

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 16, 2023. This study examined U.S. adult physical activity preferences and explored how a sample of Americans conceptualize these preferences, as previous attempts have primarily focused on non-U.S. or special populations. A sample of adults (n=402) was surveyed and stratified into 'Alone' or 'Group' physical activity preference conditions, with additional items exploring preference characteristics and social-psychological motives. Most adults preferred to exercise Alone (n=126), with a Partner (n=88), or with the use of a Virtual/Video environment (n=122) compared to those who preferred Group exercise (n=66). While there were no …

Ischemic Preconditioning On Swimming Performance: An Exploration Into Practical Application, Samantha Erickson, Zachary Pandorf, Shane D. Scholten

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 14, 2023. Ischemic preconditioning (IPC), in exercise science, is the practice of repeatedly creating an ischemic event within a limb before exercise in an effort to improve athletic ability. The athletic aid, currently under review for its applicability to aerobic sports, has garnered conflicting results in the last decade of study. This research investigated the effects of IPC over distances of 250 and 500 yards while imposing commonly suggested methodologies. Sixteen college-aged swimmers, either recreational or competitive, were given IPC treatment with individualized limb occlusion pressure (ILOP) accompanied by …

Compensating For Effects Of Autotomy On Locomotion In Stink Bugs (Halyomorpha Halys), Lilian C. Jubb

Longwood Senior Thesis Proposal

Autotomy is the voluntary release of an appendage, typically to avoid predation or entrapment. Autonomy of a single leg can have minimal effects on locomotion in arthropods with more than six legs. Hexapods, however, use a double-tripod gait which is completely disrupted with the loss of a single leg, thus locomotor performance should be greatly reduced leading to lower survival. Autotomy is so costly to locomotion that some insects regenerate a lost limb in a subsequent molt leading to reduced investment in other important functions (e.g. reproduction). Autotomy persists in adult hexapods with no opportunity for regeneration, which suggests some …

An Exploratory Survey Of Self-Reported Joint Pain Among College Students, Stephen B. Podsen, Sabrina R. Fordham, Andrew J. Jakiel, G Ryan Hipp

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 13, 2023. Prior research has shown that college students are a unique subset of our global population that commonly experience stresses and strains to their musculoskeletal system as they complete their traditional coursework. Most of this population is viewed as healthy since their joints and skeletal systems have yet to be subjected to the levels of wear and tear of their elder constituents. However, there are still individuals within this population that often report experiencing some level of joint pain or discomfort that would not fall underneath the classic …

Successful Closed Reduction And Tooth-To-Tooth Wire-Fixation Of A Mandibular Singular Parasymphysis Fracture In A Male Collegiate Lacrosse Player, Steven Ross Murray, Coryann L. Leadford, Nathaniel Snyder, Robert W. Pettitt, Jeremy R. Hawkins

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

A 19-year-old male collegiate lacrosse player suffered an acute singular parasymphysis fracture of the mandible when he was struck in the facemask of his helmet by a lacrosse ball during practice. The fracture was confirmed via panoramic radiography and treated with a closed reduction under local anesthetic by looping a 26-gauge wire around the two right incisors and the right cuspid. This approach to managing the fracture was taken instead of an open reduction and plate application to be less invasive with the hope of a faster recovery and fewer complications. The fracture healed and aligned properly, and after six …

Reliability And Construct Validity Of The Single-Leg Landing Error Scoring System (Sl-Less) In Physically Active Females, Jennifer E. Earl-Boehm, Madison Mach, Erin Lally, Maegan O'Connor, Hayley Ericksen

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

PURPOSE Single-leg landings are common in sport and often result in injury, however a rubric to evaluate biomechanics during single-leg jump landing (SLL) does not exist. The Single-Leg Landing Error Scoring System (SL-LESS) is a rubric developed to evaluate movement during SLL. The purpose of this study was to 1) determine inter- and intra-rater reliability of the SL-LESS, 2) and determine the content and construct validity of the SL-LESS when evaluating SLL

METHOD 28 healthy females completed SLL on two days while 2D and 3D data were recorded. 3D angles were trunk flexion/lateral-flexion, pelvic tilt/contralateral drop, hip flexion/adduction, and knee …

Leadership And Management Curricula Trends In Athletic Training Education, Stephanie Wise, Matthew R. Kutz

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

Purpose: Leadership and management skills both are needed by athletic trainers. However, most professional education emphasizes management-related behaviors. The purpose of this study was to differentiate between leadership and management behaviors taught in athletic training programs and explore the pedagogical strategies used in teaching those behaviors. Method: A cross-sectional exploratory design was used to survey Athletic Training Program Directors (PDs). The Leadership and Management Education Assessment Instrument (LMEAI) was developed for this investigation. The LMEAI collected standard demographic characteristics of respondents and used a 5-point Likert scale (1 = extremely important to 5 = not at all important) to assess …

Quality Of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Performed Over Hockey Shoulder Pads: A Simulation Study, Jennifer Longo, Katie J. Lyman, Thomas A. Hanson, Adam G. Estabrooks

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

Purpose: Athletic trainers (ATs) must be prepared to manage cardiac arrest events in all athletes, including those participating in equipment-intensive sports. The goal of this study was to determine if first responders, specifically ATs, were able to perform high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) over hockey shoulder pads. Methods: A sample of 50 ATs completed a one-minute, compression-only CPR proficiency test on a medium-fidelity manikin (Resusci Anne QCPR). Once deemed proficient, each participant completed CPR according to 2020 AHA guidelines on the manikin fitted with hockey shoulder pads for 8 minutes and 59 seconds. The primary measures of interest were the percentage …

The Effects Of Different Training Types On Phase Angle In Men - An Exploratory Study, Trevor Short, Paulette Yamada

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 12, 2023. Phase Angle (PhA) has emerged as a valuable measure in clinical and sports settings due to its predictive relationship with health and sports performance. Fitness is related to PhA, but the type of exercise training that is most influential over PhA has yet to be determined. The purpose was to explore the effects of endurance training (ET), strength-based resistance training (RT), and sprint-interval training (SIT) on PhA, resistance (R), and reactance (Xc) in men. Thirty-five recreationally-trained healthy young adult males (24±4 years) were randomly assigned to one …

Quantifying Balance: Computational And Learning Frameworks For The Characterization Of Balance In Bipedal Systems, Kubra Akbas

Dissertations

In clinical practice and general healthcare settings, the lack of reliable and objective balance and stability assessment metrics hinders the tracking of patient performance progression during rehabilitation; the assessment of bipedal balance plays a crucial role in understanding stability and falls in humans and other bipeds, while providing clinicians important information regarding rehabilitation outcomes. Bipedal balance has often been examined through kinematic or kinetic quantities, such as the Zero Moment Point and Center of Pressure; however, analyzing balance specifically through the body's Center of Mass (COM) state offers a holistic and easily comprehensible view of balance and stability.

Building upon …

Effects Of Parkinson’S Disease On Motor Asymmetry, Deborah Mazanek Watson

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience changes cortically, subcortically and behaviorally. This dissertation examines the asymmetry of motor behavior to explore the role of asymmetry in persons with PD and its connection to clinical symptoms. Purpose: Project 1: To assess the hand asymmetry difference in young adults versus older adults. Project 2: To investigate the difference in hand asymmetry in older adults and persons with PD. Project 3: To explore the correlation between function and clinical symptoms of persons with PD. Methods: 55 right-handed participants [Young Adults (YA) = 20, Female = 10; Older Adults (OA) = 20, Female …

Age-Related Differences In Motor Performance, Jessica Anne Prebor

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this work was to study the age effects on average performance and variability of movement responses in children, young adults, and older adults across multiple motor tasks. Optimal motor performance is observed in healthy young adults with declines observed at either end of the lifespan. This pattern has been represented as a U-shaped/inverted U-shaped curve. Little is known about if this pattern persists in chewing dynamics. While chewing has been found to improve aspects of attention, a cognitive function, research is limited on the relationship between chewing and other motor tasks.

The first aim of this research …

A Dynamical Systems Approach To Characterizing Brain–Body Interactions During Movement: Challenges, Interpretations, And Recommendations, Derek C. Monroe, Nathaniel T. Berry, Peter C. Fino, Christopher K. Rhea

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Brain–body interactions (BBIs) have been the focus of intense scrutiny since the inception of the scientific method, playing a foundational role in the earliest debates over the philosophy of science. Contemporary investigations of BBIs to elucidate the neural principles of motor control have benefited from advances in neuroimaging, device engineering, and signal processing. However, these studies generally suffer from two major limitations. First, they rely on interpretations of ‘brain’ activity that are behavioral in nature, rather than neuroanatomical or biophysical. Second, they employ methodological approaches that are inconsistent with a dynamical systems approach to neuromotor control. These limitations represent a …

A Case Study: Examining Biological Sex Differences In A 14-Week Neck Strength Protocol For Optimal Neuromuscular Indicators To Reduce The Incidence Of Traumatic Brain Injury, Jennifer L. Kale, Maggie Craig Tyndall, Alexander T. Mcdaniel, Lindsey Schroeder, Yishi Wang

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 9, 2023. The primary aim of this research was to analyze potential biological sex differences to determine if a variation in dynamic and isometric neck strength existed following a 14-week novel neck strengthening protocol. College-aged healthy participants who did not have a previous history of head or neck trauma were recruited for this study. A pre- and post-assessment was conducted to gather initial isometric and dynamic neck strength values. The neck strengthening intervention utilized a novel dynamic neck strength device for 14-weeks. 14-week neck strength protocol used in this …

Collegiate And University Athletic Trainers’ Use Of Squat Based Gradable Movement Screens, Ryan Hipp, Thomas Cappaert, Paula Turocy, Thomas Palmer

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 8, 2023. Squat Based Gradable Movement Screens (SBGMS) are orthopedic assessments used to detect and develop rehabilitation plans for patients with poor movement patterns. Reported to limit the effects of injury related factors, SBGMS have become common techniques identified among several professional domains of Athletic Training practice; however, there is limited descriptive data regarding the implementation and extent SBGMS are used by practicing Athletic Trainers (ATs) within the collegiate or university settings. The purpose was to explore the utility of SBGMS among ATs and to investigate the characteristics of …

Effects Of Creative Movement & Play Based Interventions On Motor Skills Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Results From A Randomized Controlled Trial, Sharanya Chandu

Honors Scholar Theses

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of creative movement, general movement, and seated play interventions on bilateral coordination, balance, and upper limb coordination motor skills of children with autism spectrum disorder.

Methods: This data was collected as a part of a multisite intervention study, Play and Move study, by the University of Connecticut and University of Delaware. Participants were contacted through the SPARK database, UConn Kids, fliers sent to local autism services, schools, community centers and by posting information online or to listservs. Forty-five children agreed to participate in this study and were randomly assigned …

The Effectiveness Of Eye-Hand Coordination Training In Virtual Reality, Kelley Burger

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Virtual environments (VE) and virtual reality (VR) through head-mounted displays (HMD) have been used to test and train eye-hand coordination skills in a way that is more immersive than traditional 2D video training. As this technology continues to evolve, researchers have sought to determine the degree to which these new technologies can augment training. This research attempts to expand the literature on sport skill training in VE and VR to elucidate the training protocols that support learning. The first study was designed to determine how a single session of occlusion training would affect football catching skills in VR. While adding …

Letter From The Editor: Oata Special Issue 2023, Sara Stiltner

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

Letter from the Editor

Thank you for viewing the OATA Annual Meeting Special Issue of the

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences:

The Official Journal of the OATA.

This is our 9^th year working in conjunction with the

OATA Annual Meeting to open a new volume of the JSMAHS.

This special issue would not be possible without the Managing Editor, Cole Dearing and the OATA Research and Grant Subcommittee Members who spend time and pour in effort to provide highly critiqued blinded peer review of the OATA Free Communication Abstracts. Those members include: Stacey Busser, Akron University, …

Perceptions Among Athletic Trainers’ Education In Treating Athletes With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity And Autism Disorders, Juliette Mueller, Audrey Wagstaff, Jennifer Walker

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

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the education and preparedness of athletic trainers when caring for athletes with Attention.Deficit.Hyperactivity.Disorder (ADHD) and or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).