Physiology Commons^™

Empowerher: A Pilot Study To Increase Physical Activity And Strength Through Powerbuilding, Aspen E. Streetman, Murry T. Streetman, Halle N. Brin, Emily L. Mailey, Katie M. Heinrich

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(8): 750-767, 2024. Engaging in empowering exercise develops movement competency (MC) and strength and supports physical health, mental well-being, and quality of life. Powerbuilding combines powerlifting and bodybuilding to increase physical activity (PA), MC, and strength. To our knowledge, powerbuilding has not been explored as an exercise intervention. This pilot study investigated the impact of an eight-week powerbuilding intervention on women’s PA, MC, strength, and empowerment. Eighteen women aged 25.1±9.8 with no powerbuilding experience participated in the intervention, meeting three times weekly for one hour. PA and MC were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Three-repetition maximum …

The 2024 International Journal Of Exercise Science Position Stand On Inclusion, James W. Navalta, Dustin W. Davis, Jafra Thomas, Matthew J. Garver, Shannon Siegel, Joel D. Reece, Jill M. Maples

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(8): 730-749, 2024. The International Journal of Exercise Science (IJES) Working Group for Opportunity, Representation, and Diverse Perspectives was tasked with developing a position stand to provide guidance in critical areas of inclusion. We present to authors, reviewers, and all readership IJES ideals to utilize in practice. Key points are presented, followed by a deeper look with greater explanation into the areas of inclusive language, diversity and inclusion in research, and accessibility. The same approach is presented for the areas of age, disability status, gender identity and sexual orientation, race, and ethnicity with attention to …

Smartpaddle® As A New Monitoring Feature: A Comparison Between Inertial Measurement Unit- And Strain Gauge-Based Devices On Tethered Swimming Forces., Joao Octavio Campos, Felipe Ribeiro, Gabriel L. Pereira, Marcelo Papoti

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(6): 670-681, 2024. Smartpaddle^® is a novel wearable device based on inertial measurement units (IMU) for in-field arm-stroke kinetics and kinematics analysis in swimming. However, the lack of data regarding its agreement and reliability, coupled with restricted access to raw data, emphasizes the need to evaluate it against a well-established strain gauge (SG) reference method for assessing swimming forces. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the agreement and reliability between the Smartpaddle^® and strain gauge in a 30-s all-out arms-only tethered swimming test. Twelve trained young adult swimmers performed a test-retest 30-s all-out …

Shoulder Taps: Relationships Between A New Movement Screening Assessment With Body Composition And Physical Fitness In Law Enforcement Recruits, Caitlyn E. Heredia, J. Jay Dawes, Joseph Dulla, Robin (Rob) Marc Orr, Robert G. Lockie

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 702-719, 2024. The overhead squat, as part of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), can analyze total- and lower-body mechanics. Shoulder taps, which incorporates a push-up position and challenges shoulder, trunk, and hip stability, may identify movement deficiencies indicated by multiple FMS actions which could be useful for law enforcement recruits. This study determined overhead squat and shoulder taps relationships, associations between these screens with body composition and fitness, and differences in body composition and fitness according to overhead squat/shoulder taps scores in recruits by sex. Retrospective analysis was conducted on 202 recruit datasets (158 …

Β-Alanine Plus Sodium Bicarbonate Co-Supplementation Does Not Decrease Neuromuscular Fatigue In Swimming, Felipe Alves Ribeiro, Danilo Rodrigues Bertucci, Carlos Augusto Kalva-Filho, Tarine Botta De Arruda, Matheus Silva Norberto, Giovanni Loureiro Raspantini, Ellen Cristini De Freitas, Alessandro Moura Zagatto, Marcelo Papoti

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(2): 648-659, 2024. This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic β-alanine (βA) plus acute sodium bicarbonate (SB) co-supplementation on neuromuscular fatigue during high-intensity intermittent efforts in swimming. Eleven regional and national competitive-level young swimmers performed a neuromuscular fatigue assessment before and immediately after two 20 × 25-m front crawl maximal efforts every 90 s, performed at pre- and post-4-week co-supplementation. Neuromuscular fatigue was evaluated by percutaneous electrical stimuli through the twitch interpolation technique on the triceps brachii and quadriceps femoris. Performance was defined by the mean time of the 20 efforts and …

Does Box Height Matter? A Comparative Analysis Of Box Height On Box Jump Performance In Men And Women, Marcel Lopes Dos Santos, Jocarol Shields, Ricardo Berton, Taylor K. Dinyer-Mcneely, Michael Trevino, Olivia Anderson, J. Jay Dawes

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(1): 720-729, 2024. This study aimed to analyze the effect of box height on box jump performance among recreationally active college students. Fourteen males (age = 20.8 ± 4.1 years, height = 178.3 ± 6.3 cm, weight = 82.3 ± 13.0 kg) and seventeen females (age = 20.8 ± 2.1 years, height = 167.1 ± 5.5 cm, weight = 64.5 ± 7.4 kg) completed box jumps at five different box heights that corresponded to 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80% of their maximal box jump height. Variables of interest included peak force, rate of force …

Improvements In Postural Stability, Dynamic Balance And Strength Following 12 Weeks Of Online Ballet-Modern Dance Classes For Older Women., Emma Hsiaowen Chen, Andreas Bergdahl, Mary Roberts

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(1): 682-701, 2024. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among older adults and affect women at disproportionate rates. Dance has been used to improve postural stability, balance confidence and strength of older adults, but in-person classes are often inaccessible. This quasi-experimental pre-mid-post design study investigates whether 12 weeks of online dance classes can improve postural stability, dynamic balance and strength of women aged 65 plus. 16 participants (median=74 years, IQR=6) recruited via convenience sampling completed 12 weeks of twice weekly 75-minute online dance classes. In-person pre, mid and post assessments used 30-second trials …

Comparison Of Different Take-Off Thresholds When Assessing Vertical Jump Performance, J. Chadwick Smith, Hugh Lamont, Madeleine Barefoot

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(1): 660-669, 2024. Reliably determining vertical jump (VJ) take-off on a force plate is crucial when identifying performance-related biomechanical factors. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare several take-off thresholds (20 N, 10 N, 5 N, 1 N, five standard deviations above an unloaded force plate (5SD), and peak residual force (PkRes) produced when the force plate was unloaded) in terms of jump height (JH), movement time (MT), reactive strength index modified (RSImod), net impulse (netIMP), and propulsive impulse (prIMP). Twenty-one participants performed five countermovement VJs on a force plate. All thresholds were …

Time Scale Separation In Life-Long Ovarian Follicles Population Dynamics Model, Romain Yvinec, Frédérique Clément, Guillaume Ballif

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

Patterns And Potential Mechanisms Of Phenotypic Changes In Urban Small Mammals, Leslie Lopez

Master's Theses

Urbanization is an example of human induced rapid environmental change that can have wide-reaching ecological effects, including habitat destruction, fragmentation, and alteration of local climates. Effects of urbanization have been shown to impact wildlife, as disturbances resulting from urbanization can create novel environments and selective pressures that could lead to changes in morphology, physiology, or both. Small mammals such as rodents are an ecologically important set of wildlife species because they are a key prey item for several predators, hold strong influence over plants as a primary consumer, and some species carry and transmit major human and animal diseases. Previous …

Protein Oxidation In Aging And Alzheimer’S Disease Brain, Rukhsana Sultana, D. Allan Butterfield

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Proteins are essential molecules that play crucial roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis and carrying out biological functions such as catalyzing biochemical reactions, structural proteins, immune response, etc. However, proteins also are highly susceptible to damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). In this review, we summarize the role of protein oxidation in normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The major emphasis of this review article is on the carbonylation and nitration of proteins in AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The oxidatively modified proteins showed a strong correlation with the reported changes in brain structure, carbohydrate …

Agreement Of Air Bike And Treadmill Protocols To Assess Maximal Oxygen Uptake: An Exploratory Study, Travis Lipscomb, Megan Sax Van Der Weyden, Ali Boolani, Bryan St. Andrews, Joel Martin

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 633-647, 2024. Maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O_2max) is an important measure of aerobic fitness, with applications in evaluating fitness, designing training programs, and assessing overall health. While treadmill assessments are considered the gold standard, airbikes (ABs) are increasingly popular exercise machines. However, limited research exists on AB-based V̇O2max assessments, particularly regarding agreement with treadmill graded exercise tests. To address this gap, a randomized crossover study was conducted, involving 15 healthy adults (9M, 6F, 7 familiar with AB) aged 30.1 ± 8.6 years. Paired t-tests, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), Bland-Altman and Principal component …

The Effects Of A Core Stabilization Training Program On The Performance Of Functional Tasks In Firefighters, Emily G. Maxwell, Sean M. Collins, Jill M. Lucas

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 602-610, 2024. The purpose of this study was to observe if core stabilization training plays a significant role in firefighter time-to-completion during a functional performance test. A within subjects study design was used in which subjects (n = 13, 84.6% male, 33.7 ± 7.4 years of age, 91.06 ± 13.29 kg, 25.79 ± 6.55 percent body fat, 8.96 ± 7.51 years of firefighting experience) completed two performance tests (pre and post core training), comprised of 7 firefighter-specific exercises performed while wearing a 22.68 kg weight vest to mimic typical firefighter equipment. Between testing …

Probing The Paradox: Investigating The Impact Of Affect, Exercise Type, And Cannabis Use On The Alcohol-Exercise Relationship In College Students, Vanessa Stallsmith, Cianna Piercey, Maggie Mataczynski, Hollis Karoly, Noah Emery

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(3): 623-632, 2024. Alcohol has previously shown a paradoxical positive relationship with exercise behaviors. However, the relationship has not been explored according to type of exercise (aerobic vs. anaerobic), nor has the research considered other contextual variables that commonly co-occur with alcohol use, such as cannabis and mood. This study sought to expand upon previous research to understand how the alcohol-exercise relationship may vary based on exercise type. Additionally, this study included cannabis use and mood as moderators of the alcohol-exercise association. Cross-sectional survey data was collected from college students (N = 335). Negative …

Effects Of Ankle Compression Garments On Fatigue And Single-Leg Balance In Collegiate Basketball Players, Lauren Debolt, Jeff Hamon, Justin Hu, Tyler Vickers, You-Jou Hung

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(1): 611-622, 2024. Basketball players are prone to ankle injuries. It is unclear if wearing ankle compression garments (CGs) can enhance balance control and time to fatigue in those athletes. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of ankle CGs on both time to fatigue and single-leg balance. Sixteen Division II (D2) collegiate basketball players participated in the study. The Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) was used to assess ankle stability. Fatigue was induced through deficit heel raises, and single-leg balance was assessed with the Athletic Single Leg Stability Test (ASLST) of …

Elucidating The Luteal Microenvironment: The Role Of Fibroblasts In Luteal Regression, Corrine F. Monaco

Theses & Dissertations

The corpus luteum is a transient endocrine gland that produces progesterone, a steroid hormone needed for pregnancy. It is a heterogenous gland containing many different cell types: small and large steroidogenic cells, endothelial cells, immune cells, and fibroblasts. At the end of a non-fecund reproductive cycle, the corpus luteum undergoes cyclic regression, a process which is divided into two processes: 1) functional regression, in which progesterone production rapidly declines and 2) structural regression, in which the tissue undergoes rapid remodeling into a fibrotic scar called a corpus albicans. Although fibroblasts are well-known for their role in tissue remodeling, very little …

Sensory Dysfunction And The Role Of Nrf2 In The Production Of Pain In Chronic Hindlimb Ischemia, Oliver Kitzerow

Theses & Dissertations

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a progressive and debilitating atherothrombotic disorder that is estimated to impact >200 million people worldwide. Higher physical activity levels are associated with better overall survival rates, slower decline of functional capability, and improved quality of life. However, intermittent claudication, pain produced by physical activity, severely limits functional capacity in PAD patients. Despite known sensory dysfunction and documented neuropathy in diseased patients, the neural mechanisms that produce pain in PAD are yet to be identified. Importantly, few animal models of hindlimb ischemia (HLI) successfully recapitulate chronic human PAD. We developed a chronic animal model of HLI …

The Effects Of Limb Occlusion On The Slow Component Of V̇O2 During Intermittent, Heavy-Intensity Cycling, Sela Lomascolo

Honors Theses

This study examined the physiological responses to continuous, heavy-intensity (CONT), intermittent, heavy-intensity (INT), and intermittent, heavy-intensity cycling with limb occlusion (INT-LO). METHODS: Five young (23.2 ± 5.5 yrs.), healthy subjects participated in this study and completed a total of seven visits. Three conditions were completed by each subject: CONT, INT, and INT-LO. Each condition consisted of a 4-minute warm-up (20 W), 6 minutes of exercise, followed by 5 minutes of recovery cycling. For CONT, exercise was performed at Δ50% for the entire 6 minutes. INT and INT-LO alternated between 15 seconds of work at Δ50%, and then 3 seconds of …

The Effects Of Water Submersion On Skeletal Muscle Activation, Fatigue, And Whole-Body Gas Exchange, Caroline Griffin, Robert J. Shute

Honors Projects

THE EFFECTS OF WATER SUBMERSION ON SKELETAL MUSCLE ACTIVATION, FATIGUE, AND WHOLE-BODY GAS EXCHANGE

C.C. Griffin. Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, VA.

Email: [email protected]

Fatigue of skeletal muscle can be affected by multiple environmental elements. Fatigue threshold can be measured by VO2 max on a cycle ergometer combined with the use of a metabolic cart and Electromyography (EMG) measurements. PURPOSE: The purpose of this experiment is to determine if water submersion affects skeletal muscle activation, fatigue, and whole-body gas exchange. METHODS: Three participants were recruited to participate in a cold and no temperature trial. Participants arrived and baseline vitals and measurements were …

Investigating The Modulation Of Metastasis By Dax-1 In Adrenal Carcinoma Cells, Aarya Mishra

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The nuclear hormone receptor (NHR), DAX-1 (dosage-sensitive sex reversal, adrenal hypoplasia critical region, on chromosome X, gene 1), is important in adrenal and gonadal development as well as steroidogenesis. It is encoded by the NR0B1 gene and functions mainly as a transcriptional repressor. Classified as an orphan receptor within the NHR superfamily, DAX-1 has been shown to inhibit other NHRs including estrogen receptor, androgen receptor and steroidogenic factor 1. DAX-1 is found to be underexpressed in breast and prostate cancers and, specifically in prostate cancer, is believed to be a transcriptional repressor of genes that are involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition …

The Role Of B Cell Activation State And Sex In Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Mediated Induction Of Chemokine Receptor 9 And Alpha4beta7 Expression In Vitro, Logan Bauerle

Master's Theses

Defense of mucosal tissues from microbial infection and allergy is reliant on continual production of antibodies. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is known to regulate B cell development and is associated with suppression of systemic humoral immunity. Recent attention has been paid to the role of the AhR in altering expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). B cells express CAMs and chemokine receptors to migrate around the body for localized secretion of antibodies. AhR agonists promote B cell migration to the small intestine through upregulation of chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9) and integrin α₄β₇. Both the AhR …

Stopping The Bleed At Uri, Emily Lefebre

Senior Honors Projects

The number one cause of preventable death is uncontrolled bleeding from traumatic injury. From the unlikely scenario of a school shooting, to a campus car accident or an injury during a sports or club event, possessing skills to effectively stop a life-threatening bleed becomes a matter of life or death. The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT) STOP THE BLEED® program is a campaign to teach communities how to respond effectively and efficiently to life-threatening bleeding in emergencies. STOP THE BLEED® aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills to stop severe bleeding by tourniquet application, …

Asymmetries In Ncaa Division I Tennis Players Compared To An Athletic Control Group, Elizabeth Cafferty

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Limb asymmetries are an expected adaptation to years of training for athletes participating in dominant-sided sports. Previous research on this topic lacks an athletic control group. PURPOSE: To determine the magnitude of upper limb asymmetries in dominant-sided athletes (tennis players) compared to nondominant-sided athletes (cross-country runners). METHODS: Male and female NCAA Division I athletes (10 tennis, 11 cross-country) participated. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), and lean mass (LM) of the whole body, upper extremities, and forearms. Circumference measurements were taken at mid-biceps and the widest part of the forearms. …

Effects Of Nicotinamide Riboside In Ovo Feeding On High-Yield Broiler Performance, Meat Quality, And Myopathy Incidence, Clay J. Maynard, John M. Gonzalez, Taketo Haginouchi, Olivia G. Ellis, Ashunti R. Jackson, Casey M. Owens

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of in ovo nicotinamide riboside (NR) feeding on high-yield broiler growth and meat quality.

Methods: Fertilized Cobb 700 by-product eggs (N = 3,240) were randomly assigned to one of four in ovo treatments and injected with 0 (0NR), 250 (250NR), 500 (500NR), or 1,000 (1,000NR) mM NR at incubation-day 10. Chicks were hatched, vent sexed, and randomly placed 18 per pen in one of 32 floor pens. On day 48, birds were processed and deboned.

Results: There were dose effects …

Sarcopenia And The Importance Of Resistance Training And Protein-Rich Diets For Prevention Of Muscle Loss In Older Adults: A Literature Review And Informational Pamphlet, Madison Steele

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The growing prevalence of sarcopenia among older adults as well as youths has prompted further research aimed at developing effective preventative measures and treatment plans. Sarcopenia is often thought to occur solely due to aging, but several other factors contribute to progressive muscle loss. Previous research studies have found an effect of physical activity and dietary protein levels on the risk of developing sarcopenia as well as its onset age. This study aims to review existing knowledge in the field to compile an extensive list of sarcopenia causes and methods of prevention. The main causes identified in this review are …

Using Additional Measures Of Handgrip Strength To Predict Aerobic Capacity In Wheelchair Users, Eric Naugle

All NMU Master's Theses

Manual wheelchair users have been shown to have low physical capacity and impaired ability to perform activities of daily living. Current tests and protocols for assessing physical capacity in wheelchair users have specific boundaries. Measuring handgrip strength (HGS) with electronic handgrip dynamometers has been shown to be a reliable measure of muscle function and a convenient assessment of overall muscle strength. This study aimed to determine the correlation of maximal HGS, HGS rate of force development, HGS fatigability, HGS isometric control, and HGS asymmetry to a six-minute wheelchair propulsion (6MPT) test in ambulatory young adults. Thirty-four recreationally active ambulatory individuals …

Effects Of Blood Flow Restriction During Acute Multi-Joint Eccentric Exercise On Muscle Recovery, Cody Fisher

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise has become an increasingly common modality due to evidence that it may yield positive muscle-related effects from low-intensity exercise. However, eccentric-only exercise in a multi-joint format has not yet been investigated in regard to the BFR influence on muscle recovery characteristics. The purpose of this study was to assess muscle recovery responses via isometric peak force (PF), soreness (i.e., VAS, PPT, PPD), and functional power (i.e., SLHD) following a 5-minute low-load multi-joint eccentric exercise bout with or without blood flow restriction. Thirty participants were randomly assigned into either an eccentric-only (CON) or an eccentric BFR …

Use Of Cre-Lox Mice As A Model For Ependymogenesis, Poorva Bagchee

Honors Scholar Theses

Stem cells in the lateral ventricles of the brain undergo a process of development within the ventricular-subventricular zone. In early development neuroepithelial cells divide to form more neuroepithelial cells or convert to radial glial cells (RGCs). These RGCs, or stem cells, then divide to form neurons or other glial cells such as ependymal cells, which form a single-layered ependyma along the ventricular wall. These stem cells divide in two ways: symmetrically, producing two ependymal cells or asymmetrically, yielding one neural stem cell and ependymal cell. To further study this process the Cre-lox system in mice will be used. By breeding …

Photobiomodulation Of Bovine Oocytes During Maturation Increases Atp Content And Enhances Subsequent Embryonic Development, Kendall Richey

All Theses

Bovine in-vitro production(IVP) of embryos is a growing field for producing offspring with desirable genetics in the cattle industries. While IVP is effective, oocyte cytoplasmic maturation is compromised, and bovine oocytes matured in-vitro have reduced metabolic activity than those matured in-vivo. Mitochondria are the central unit of oocyte metabolism, producing ATP through OXPHOS. Photobiomodulation is a light treatment reported to improve metabolic activity. In five experiments, we measured the effects of photobiomodulation treatment with red LED at 16-(L-16) and 20 h(L-20) of bovine oocyte in-vitro maturation on subsequent embryonic development, mitochondrial activity and nuclear progression. Bovine COCs were aspirated …

Potential Non-Invasive Detection Of Lesions In Broiler Femur Heads: Application Of The Dxa Imaging System, Alison Ramser, Elizabeth Greene, Robert Wideman, Sami Dridi

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Leg health is a significant economic and welfare concern for the poultry industry. Current methods of detection rely on visual assessment of the legs and gait scores and bone scoring during necropsy for full characterization. Additionally, the current scoring of femurs only examines the external surface of the femoral head. Through the use of the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) imaging system, we show the presence of a necrotic region in the femurs that would otherwise be considered healthy based on the current evaluation procedures. Importantly, these lesions were present in almost 60% (22 of 37) of femurs that scored normal …