Physiology Commons^™

Reconsidering Undergraduate Anatomy And Physiology Curriculum, Eric Michael Walsh

Theses and Dissertations

In the past 50 years several convergent factors have spurred unprecedented change in anatomy and physiology (A&P) instruction. An explosion of biomedical knowledge, an increased demand for students well-versed in A&P, and decreased resources for the course has provoked a vast array of research. However, most studies employ one of three strategies to enact change: testing the effectiveness of new pedagogies, exploring the utility of new technologies, or documenting learning in new contexts. By comparison, a much smaller body of research focuses on changing the A&P curriculum to improve student learning. To address this gap, the musculoskeletal curriculum for an …

Estimation Of Body Fat Percentage In Jockeys: Implications For A Weight Category Sport, Arthur Dunne, Giles Warrington, Gillian O'Loughlin, Siobhan O'Connor, Michael Harrison, Adrian Mcgoldrick, Jennifer Pugh, Sarahjane Cullen

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(4): 511-525, 2020. The assessment of body composition in horse racing, a unique weight-restricted sport, provides an important health and performance indicator. The accuracy of skinfold prediction equations at estimating % body fat (% BF) was compared with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) data in a group of professional Irish jockeys (age 27.5 ± 7.7 years). Body composition was assessed in seventy-two male professional jockeys (flat n=35 and national hunt n=37) using standardised guidelines for skinfold thickness at 8 sites and DXA body fat assessment. Hydration status was assessed using urine specific gravity (Usg) to determine …

Relationships Among Metabolic-Risk, Body Fatness, And Muscular Fitness In Young Obese Latino Children, Justin J. Merrigan, Sina Gallo, Jennifer B. Fields, Robyn Mehlenbeck, Margaret T. Jones

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(3): 488-500, 2020. Given the high prevalence of obesity in Latino children and potential health risks, the purpose of this study was to: 1) evaluate relationships among metabolic-risk, fitness, and body fatness; 2) determine sex differences in cardio-metabolic risk factors and fitness of obese children of Latino descent. Sixty children (boys, n= 39, 7.8 ± 1.5 years; girls, n= 21, 7.2 ± 1.5 years; body mass index, 97.8 ± 2.5^thpercentile) completed assessments of height, weight, and body fat, prior to fasted blood draws and a battery of fitness tests. Cardio-metabolic markers …

Characterization Of Adult Heart Rate Responses During Recreational Skateboarding At Community Skateparks, Tyler Wiles, Daniel Kellogg, Heather Furr, Jeff A. Nessler, Sean C. Newcomer

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(2): 501-510, 2020. Youth participating in recreational skating at community skate parks attain exercise intensities and durations that are comparable with the CDC’s exercise recommendations for cardiovascular fitness for their age group. However, it is currently unclear if adults who skateboard in the same environment also achieve the recommended intensities and durations for cardiovascular fitness. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that skateboarding would elicit heart rates and durations consistent with the CDC’s recommendations for cardiovascular fitness in adults. Fifty-five subjects between ages 18-55 were recruited from six community skateparks …

Combined Berry Extract And Bromelain Supplement Improves Blood Pressure, Endothelial Function, And Skeletal Muscle Oxygenation Status In Healthy Young Adults, Tesean K. Wooden

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with the manifestation of increased levels of oxidative stress and inflammation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production may cause damage to the vasculature that can lead to diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and atherosclerosis. Anthocyanins are the largest class of flavonoid that are found in vegetables and fruit. Therefore, the combination of anthocyanins and bromelain may be an ideal intervention for improving or maintaining cardiovascular health. We sought to examine the effects of this combination of powerful antioxidants within healthy young adults.

Young healthy adults (n=18) volunteered to participate in this study. Participants were randomly assigned …

Mitochondrial Targeted Antioxidant Intake Improves Vascular Function And Exercise Tolerance In Peripheral Artery Disease Patients, Liz Pekas, Won-Mok Son, Ronald J. Headid Iii, Tesean Wooden, Song-Young Park

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a manifestation of atherosclerosis in the leg arteries, which causes reduced blood flow and leg pain. This may be in part due to excessive mitochondria-produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and attenuated mitochondrial respiratory function. Mitoquinol mesylate, a mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant, has been shown to scavenge ROS and improve vascular function in older adults and animal models. However, the impacts of mitoquinol on vascular function in PAD patients are unknown. We sought to examine the impacts of mitoquinol intake (80mg) on endothelial function (flow mediated dilation, FMD), resting heart rate (RHR), blood pressure (BP), arterial stiffness (pulse …

Impacts Of Mitoquinol Mesylate Intake On Vascular Function And Cognitive Impairment In Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Case Study, Lindie Strickler

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a decline in cognitive function to a greater extent than natural aging. It has been suggested that reduced brain blood flow is strongly associated with reduced cognitive function and neurodegenerative diseases, of which is partially attributed to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Mitoquinol mesylate has been shown to scavenge ROS and improve vascular function in healthy older adults. However, the effects of mitoquinol in MCI patients have not been investigated.

Purpose: to elucidate the impacts of mitoquinol intake on vascular endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation, FMD), arterial stiffness (pulse-wave velocity, PWV), and cognitive function in …

A Practical Method For Assessing Lip Compression Strengthening In Healthy Adults, Takashi Abe, Zachary W. Bell, Vickie Wong, Robert W. Spitz, Ricardo B. Viana, Yujiro Yamada, Raksha N. Chatakondi, Jeremy P. Loenneke

Faculty and Student Publications

© 2020 by the authors. There is no practical and accessible assessment method to evaluate lip muscle compression strength. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the standard method (i.e., Iowa Oral Performance Instrument) and a practical method in healthy adults. In order to achieve our research purpose, ninety-eight healthy adults (18-40 years) completed lip compression strength measurements (standard method) and lip grasping performance tests using a standard recyclable plastic water bottle (practical method). In the overall sample, the mean and standard deviation for standard method and practical method was 26.7 (7.0) kPa and 255 (119) …

Hypothesized Mechanisms Through Which Exercise May Attenuate Memory Interference, Lindsay K. Crawford, Hong Li, Liye Zou, Gao Xia Wei, Paul D. Loprinzi

Faculty and Student Publications

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. In this paper we introduce a mechanistic model through which exercise may enhance episodic memory, specifically via attenuating proactive and retroactive memory interference. We discuss the various types of memory, different stages of memory function, review the mechanisms behind forgetting, and the mechanistic role of exercise in facilitating pattern separation (to attenuate memory interference).

The Diffusion Of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Methods And Data Analytics Into An Undergraduate Nursing Research Course, Mary Anne Schultz

Q2S Enhancing Pedagogy

The project is the adoption of principles of Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning and Data Analytics into a traditional nursing research (hypothesis testing) course. Necessitated by the recent entrance of “Big Data” use in health care, there is an urgent need to inject an understanding of the AI/ML techniques necessary to extract, organize and derive meaning from this huge amount of evidence in clinical decision-making. In fact, our department recently approved the adoption of Precision Health (PH) (the clinical use of the plethora of highly-individualized data in health & medical decisions) principles into six undergraduate courses, NURS 4222 (Nursing Research & …

Life Line March 2020, Otterbein Biology And Earth Science Department

Life Line - The Biology Department Newsletter

The Department Welcomes Dr. Sinn; Modeling to Help with Global Research; The Paradise of Bombs Revisited; The End of an Era in Conesville Ohio; Reports from two recipients of the Melinda Phinney Award for Pre-Med Travel Experiences; Preparing Skins for Study; Genomics in the Jungle; Zoo Program Gets New T -Shirt and Sweatshirt Designs; Aquarium Track Dives Right In; Dr. Svitana’s Sabbatical Accomplishments;Biology Behind Bars; Grossology: The Science of Icky, Sticky, Disgusting Things.

Developing A Writing-Intensive Course In Animal Physiology, Tomasz Owerkowicz

Q2S Enhancing Pedagogy

The project details how Comparative Animal Physiology, a two-semester upper division biology elective, is transformed to meet writing-intensive discipline-appropriate criteria. Targeted and scaffolded assignments allow students to write about physiology in a variety of styles, and to help revise each other’s work to better understand the iterative process of writing. Assignments are aligned with WI student learning outcomes, to promote critical, reflective and effective communication skills.

Targeting Trna-Synthetase Interactions Towards Novel Therapeutic Discovery Against Eukaryotic Pathogens, Paul Kelly, Fatemeh Hadi-Nezhad, Dennis Y. Liu, Travis J. Lawrence, Roger G. Linington, Michael Ibba, David H. Ardell

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

The development of chemotherapies against eukaryotic pathogens is especially challenging because of both the evolutionary conservation of drug targets between host and parasite, and the evolution of strain-dependent drug resistance. There is a strong need for new nontoxic drugs with broad-spectrum activity against trypanosome parasites such as Leishmania and Trypanosoma. A relatively untested approach is to target macromolecular interactions in parasites rather than small molecular interactions, under the hypothesis that the features specifying macromolecular interactions diverge more rapidly through coevolution. We computed tRNA Class-Informative Features in humans and independently in eight distinct clades of trypanosomes, identifying parasite-specific informative features, …

A Comparison Of Lower Body Power Characteristics Between Collegiate Athletes From Different Competition Levels., Cody A. Stahl, Keston G. Lindsay, J. Bryan Mann, Margaret Hunt, J. Jay Dawes

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(6): 470-479, 2020. The counter-movement jump (CMJ) is frequently utilized by strength and conditioning professionals working with athletes, given its relationship to a multitude of performance variables associated with success in sports. PURPOSE: To examine characteristics of CMJ performance between NAIA and NCAA Division I male and female athletes. METHODS: Archival data for 275 student athletes from two NCAA Division 1 universities (NCAA DI; males = 84, females = 74) and one NAIA university (NAIA; males = 66, females = 51) were utilized for this analysis. The CMJ was performed utilizing a dual single axis …

Large Inter-Individual Differences In Responses To A Block Of High Intensity Aerobic Interval Training: A Case Series In National-Level Cyclists And Triathletes, Solfrid Bratland-Sanda, Frank G. Pedersen, Marius N. Haave, Jan Helgerud, Øyvind Støren

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(2): 480-487, 2020. The aim was to investigate individual responses on VO_2maxand performance to a block of high intensity aerobic interval training (HIIT) in national-level endurance athletes. METHODS: National-level cyclists and triathletes (five men and two women, 31 ± 3.3 years, VO_2max65.1 ± 3.3 ml·kg^-1·min^-1) conducted 14 HIIT sessions (4x4 min uphill running at 90-95% maximal heart rate) in nine days during preseason. VO_2maxin running and cycling, lactate threshold (LT) in cycling, oxygen cost of cycling (C_C), and a cycling time-trial (TT) were …

Comparisons Of The Metabolic Intensities At Heart Rate, Gas Exchange, And Ventilatory Thresholds, Pasquale J. Succi, Taylor K. Dinyer, M. Travis Byrd, Haley C. Bergstrom

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(2): 455-469, 2020. PURPOSE: This study compared the O₂corresponding to the critical heart rate (CHRO₂) and the physical working capacity at the heart rate fatigue threshold (PWC_hrtO₂) to the gas exchange threshold (GET), ventilatory threshold (VT), and respiratory compensation point (RCP). METHODS: Nine runners (mean ±SD, age 23 ±3 years) completed an incremental test on a treadmill to determine O_2peak, GET, VT, and RCP. The CHRO₂and PWC_hrtO₂were determined from 4 separate constant velocity treadmill runs …

Measuring Physical Activity Using Triaxial Wrist Worn Polar Activity Trackers: A Systematic Review, André Henriksen, Jonas Johansson, Gunnar Hartvigsen, Sameline Grimsgaard, Laila A. Hopstock

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(4): 438-454, 2020. Collecting objective physical activity data from research participants are increasingly done using consumer-based activity trackers. Several validation studies of Polar devices are conducted to date, but no systematic review of the current level of accuracy for these devices exist. The aim of this study is therefore to investigate the accuracy of current wrist-worn Polar devices that equips a triaxial accelerometer to measure physical activity. We conducted a systematic review by searching six databases for validation studies on modern Polar activity trackers. Studies were grouped and examined by tested outcome, i.e. energy expenditure, …

Step Count Reliability And Validity Of Five Wearable Technology Devices While Walking And Jogging In Both A Free Motion Setting And On A Treadmill, Jeffrey Montes, Richard Tandy, John Young, Szu-Ping Lee, James Navalta

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(7): 410-426, 2020. Wearable technology devices are used by millions of people who use daily step counts to promote healthy lifestyles. However, the accuracy of many of these devices has not been determined. The purpose was to determine reliability and validity of the Samsung Gear 2, FitBit Surge, Polar A360, Garmin Vivosmart HR+, and the Leaf Health Tracker when walking and jogging in free motion and treadmill conditions. Forty volunteers completed walking and jogging free motion and treadmill protocols of 5-minute intervals. The devices were worn simultaneously in randomized configurations. The mean of two manual …

Ground Contact Time Imbalances Strongly Related To Impaired Running Economy, Dustin P. Joubert, Nicholas A. Guerra, Eric J. Jones, Erica G. Knowles, Aaron D. Piper

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(4): 427-437, 2020. Running economy (RE) is defined as the oxygen consumption (VO₂) or caloric unit cost required to move at a specific velocity and is an important performance marker. Ground contact time (GCT) has been associated with RE; however, it has not been established how GCT imbalances between feet impact RE. Purpose: Determine the relationship between cadence, GCT, and GCT imbalances and RE. Methods: 11 NCAA Division I distance runners (7 male) completed a graded exercise test on a treadmill to determine lactate threshold (LT) and VO₂max. Body composition was …

Comparison Of Acute Cardiometabolic Responses In A 7-Minute Body Weight Circuit To 7-Minute Hiit Training Protocol, Cruz Armas, Robert J. Kowalsky, Christopher M. Hearon

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(2): 395-409, 2020. To investigate the acute cardiometabolic responses of a 7-minute bodyweight resistance exercise circuit (HICE) compared to a 7-minute high intensity interval training cycle protocol (HIIE). Methods: Twelve apparently healthy and active young adults were enrolled in a randomized crossover study (HICE vsHIIE). The 12 HICE exercises used a 30:5 second exercise to rest ratio, followed by a 3-minute cool-down and was replicated in the HIIE cycle protocol. Following each protocol, subjects were seated for the next hour. Measurements included blood pressure (BP) heart rate, blood glucose and triglycerides, taken prior to …

Somatosensory Perception Of Running Shoe Mass May Be Influenced By Extended Wearing Time Or Inclusion Of A Personal Reference Shoe, Depending On Testing Method, James G. Saxton, Benjamin R. Mardis, Christopher L. Kliethermes, David S. Senchina

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(6): 342-357, 2020. Consumers may purchase running shoes on the basis of their masses, yet little is known about shoe mass perceptual abilities. In this multi-part experiment, four groups of twenty-five young adult males (total n= 100) were challenged to gauge the relative masses of five unfamiliar running shoes. The four groups differed by the length of time they were given to wear the shoes (up to 1 minute versus 5 minutes) and whether or not they were able to use their own personal running shoes as a reference. After wearing each individual pair …

Centesimal Age And Relative Age Effect In Elite Futsal Players, Dayse Dias Da Silva Carraco, Larissa Rafaela Galatti, Marcelo Massa, Irineu Loturco, Cesar Cavinato Cal Abad

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(6): 329-341, 2020. To investigate centesimal age (CA) and relative age effect (RAE) in elite male futsal players their date of birth and court-position were accessed through the official FIFA website. The absolute and relative frequency distributions of player births were quantified by quartiles and semesters. The two-way ANOVA and the Chi-Square analysis were applied to check for possible differences. The results showed a mean CA of 27.76 ± 4.11 years with no differences for both playing positions and competitions. In addition, no significant differences were found between quartiles or between semesters. The results suggest …

Outdoor Time Is Not Associated With Metabolically Healthy Overweight And Obesity Phenotype In Canadian Children Aged 6-14 Years, Brittany Rioux, Neeru Gupta, Danielle Bouchard, James Dunbar, Martin Senechal

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(2): 383-394, 2020. A large proportion of children living with obesity have favorable cardiometabolic profiles despite their adiposity levels, who are referred to as metabolically healthy overweight or obese (MHO). However, the contribution of active outdoor time to the MHO phenotype is unknown. The purposeof this study was to investigate the association between outdoor time and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with the MHO phenotype. A cross-sectional analysis of overweight/obese children aged 6-14 (n= 386) from the Canadian Health Measures Survey was performed. Outdoor time was self-reported using five questions in relation to …

Heart Rate Responses During Simulated Fire Ground Scenarios Among Full-Time Firefighters, Quincy R. Johnson, Jonathan Goatcher, Cody L. Diehl, Robert G. Lockie, Robin Marc Orr, Brent Alvar, Doug Smith, J. Jay Dawes

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(2): 374-382, 2020. Simulated fire ground scenarios (SFGS) provide firefighters with an opportunity to maintain skills, receive feedback, and optimize performance. Although there is extensive research on heart rate (HR) changes in the firefighter population, few examine the differences between positions. Firefighters are primarily responsible for fire suppression and control (23), officers for emergency operations and organizational management, paramedics for providing on-scene emergency medical care, and drivers are responsible for driving the fire apparatus. Utilizing HR analysis to quantify the physical demands of SFGS among firefighting crews by position. Sixty-seven male (age: 38.97 ± 9.17; …

Limb Occlusion Pressure: A Method To Assess Changes In Systolic Blood Pressure, Zachary W. Bell, Matthew B. Jessee, Kevin T. Mattocks, Samuel L. Buckner, Scott J. Dankel, J Grant Mouser, Takashi Abe, Jeremy P. Loenneke

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(2): 366-373, 2020. Although often used as a surrogate, comparisons between traditional blood pressure measurements and limb occlusion assessed via hand-held Doppler have yet to be completed. Using limb occlusion pressure as a method of assessing systolic pressure is of interest to those studying the acute effects of blood flow restriction, where the removal of the cuff may alter the physiological response. Purpose: We sought to determine how changes in limb occlusion pressure track with changes in traditional assessments of blood pressure. Basic Procedures: Limb occlusion pressure measured by hand-held Doppler and blood pressure measured …

Metabolic Costs Of A 58-Minute Multi-Intensity Exercise Session With And Without Music And Cueing, Cecilia Guerrero, Robbin Tran, Elizabeth Gutierrez, Candice Campbell, Jade Rodgers, Michelle Alencar, Jan Schroeder

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(2): 358-365, 2020. It is unclear if the presence or absence of music and cueing influence total energy expenditure (TEE) during a multi-intensity exercise program. The purpose of this study was to determine the difference between TEE with or without music and cueing during a 58-minute exercise session using heart rate estimation (HRe) and indirect calorimetry (IC). Using a randomized crossover design, 22 participants (6 males; 16 females; 27.64 ± 10.33 yrs.) were randomized into two groups (Group A = 11; Group B = 11). All participants performed the same 58-minute exercise session under two …

Pre- And Post-Activity Stretching Practices Of Collegiate Soccer Coaches In The United States, Lawrence W. Judge, Jason Avedesian, David M. Bellar, Donald L. Hoover, Bruce Craig, Jason Langley, Nicholas Nordmann, Makenzie A. Schoeff, Clark D. Dickin

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(6): 260-272, 2020. Current pre- and post-activity stretching guidelines are designed to optimize performance and reduce injury risk. However, it is unclear whether soccer coaches adhere to these recommendations. The purpose of this study was to determine if collegiate soccer coaches’ perceptions and practices align with current scientific recommendations. A total of 781 questionnaires were electronically distributed to soccer coaches from NCAA Division I and III universities.The questionnaire obtained demographic, professional, and educational information, as well as stretching practices. Statistical analysis consisted of computing frequency counts and means where applicable. Pearson's Chi-square tests were performed …

The Effect Of Static Stretching, Mini-Band Warm-Ups, Medicine-Ball Warm-Ups, And A Light Jogging Warm-Up On Common Athletic Ability Tests, Bryan Christensen, Colin W. Bond, Ryan Napoli, Kelly Lopez, Jason Miller, Kyle J. Hackney

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(4): 298-311, 2020. Proper warm-up is important for facilitating peak athletic performance and reducing injury risk; yet, warm-up procedures vary considerably amongst coaches and athletes. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a static stretching, medicine-ball, and mini-band warm-ups relative to a light jogging warm-up only on athletic ability test performance. It was hypothesized that static stretching would negatively affect performance, while medicine-ball and mini-band warm-ups would positively affect performance relative to light jogging only. Twelve female collegiate soccer players (19.3 ± 1.2y, 65.2 ± 7.5kg, 1.67 ± 0.07m) participated in …

The Relationship Between Physical Characteristics And Maximal Strength In Men Practicing The Back Squat, The Bench Press And The Deadlift, Pierre-Marc Ferland, Alexander C. Pollock, Ryan Swope, Mark Ryan, Michael Reeder, Kristin J. Heumann, Alain-Steve Comtois

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(4): 281-297, 2020. This study was designed to quantify the relationships between physical characteristics and maximal strength in the back squat, the bench press and the deadlift on powerlifters and football players.Eighteen male junior drug-tested classic powerlifters and seventeen NCAA Division II American football players’ anthropometric measurements were taken to compare them with maximal strength results from either a powerlifting meet or testing from their supervised strength and conditioning program. Pearson’s bivariate correlations analysis revealed (statistical significance was set at p

Accuracy Assessment Of A Gps Device For Maximum Sprint Speed, Kathryn Alphin, Olivia Sisson, Brynn L. Hudgins, Catherine D. Noonan, Jennifer A. Bunn

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(4): 273-280, 2020. Global positioning system (GPS) technology can capture maximum sprint speed (MSS) using fewer resources than electronic timing gates (ETG). Yet,errors with GPS technology are typically 1.01 km∙hr^-1for instantaneous velocity, potentially limiting GPS accuracy. The purpose of this study was to compare MSS values obtained from GPS technology to those obtained from ETG. The MSS of 24 female athletes was determined using two tests that both began with a 20-m fly-in followed by: 1) 80-m maximal sprint with ETG placed at the start line, 30 m, 60 m, and 80 …