Exercise Physiology Commons^™

Cortisol Production In Female Soccer Players, Katelyn Seagraves

ASPIRE 2024

Cortisol is released from the adrenal glands when there is an apparent stressor. Exercise, while beneficial, is seen as stress to the body and incites increased cortisol release. Cortisol is known to increase with exercise, and higher-intensity exercise tends to raise cortisol more compared to lower intensities. However, less is known about interval training and cortisol concentrations.

This review of literature dives into the background of cortisol: how it's produced, what systems it regulates, and differences in production based on gender, stressors, exercise intensity, and duration. This paper identifies some knowledge gaps and links training intensities in soccer to cortisol …

Occupational Engagement In Recreational Sports For The Deaf And Hard Of Hearing: An Employee Guidebook, Colleen Mcerlean, Mary Ann Smith, Christopher Ebner

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

An employee guidebook to help increase occupational engagement within recreational sports for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing population in the Austin, TX area.

Attitudes And Self-Efficacy Of Swimming Coaches Towards The Inclusion Of Swimmers With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Eleftheria Kasagianni, Dimitrios Kokaridas, Panagiotis Varsamis, Vasilis Tsimaras

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes and self-efficacy of swimming coaches regarding the inclusion of swimmers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The sample consisted of 150 Greek swimming coaches with an average age of 29.58 years. Each participant completed the Swimming Coaches Attitudes towards Inclusion Questionnaire for perceptions assessment and the Biddle and Goudas (1997) self-efficacy questionnaire. The statistical analysis used SPSS 27 to calculate Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson product-moment correlations, independent t-tests, and ANOVA. The findings of the study showed that the swimming coaches expressed positive attitudes and a high percentage of perceived self-efficacy towards the …

A Research Framework To Improve Evidence-Based Practice Surrounding The Resuscitation Response To Drowning In Surf Lifesaving, Elissa Hooper, Aaron T. Scanlan, Shayne D. Baker, Samantha Fien

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Surf lifesaving members are essential first responders who patrol public waterways, performing rescues and resuscitation to individuals in the community when needed. In this way, surf lifesaving members experience arduous physical requirements alongside extensive psychological stress during resuscitation. Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) represents the predominant, frontline lifesaving service in Queensland, Australia; however, little research has explored key aspects of drowning resuscitations involving this organisation, as well as in the broader lifesaving industry, limiting our current understanding on this vital topic. We sought to explore key aspects of drowning resuscitations within SLSQ and create a framework to generate evidence-based practice. …

‘You Have To Respect The Water’: Participant Experiences Of Appreciating And Managing The Risks Associated With Open Water Swimming – A Rapid Ethnographic Study, Mark A. Christie, David Elliott

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Open water swimming (OWS) has rapidly grown in popularity, driven by the purported health benefits of cold-water immersion. A paucity of research remains specifically considering the notable risks inherent in OWS participation, and a lack of qualitative research on freshwater swimming experiences, and safety-related issues therein. This rapid ethnographic study, based at a dedicated OWS lake in the UK, conducted semi-structured interviews with OWS participants (n=17; female=11, male=6). Two core themes emerged: environmental issues impacting OWS experiences and behaviours; and knowledge and education of OWS which highlighted safe/unsafe practices, levels of education for managing risks, personal preparedness, swimming solo/with others, …

Lay Rescuer Equipment Preferences And Efficacy During A Simulated Drowning Event, Alison M. Miller, William D. Ramos, Kristina R. Anderson, Jill Cuvala

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

During a drowning incident where a lifeguard is not present, a bystander – referred to as a lay rescuer - may put themselves in danger by attempting a rescue. When lay rescuers can avoid entering the water by using rescue equipment to help a drowning victim, it serves to not only help the person actively drowning, but also provides a layer of protection to a lay rescuer. This study sought to examine the following questions: (a) which pieces of rescue equipment were preferred by lay rescuers at pre-determined short and long distances, (b) do lay rescuers select appropriate rescue equipment …

Barriers: Location, Functionality, And Method Of Access In Childhood Pool/Spa Submersion Incidents, United States, 2000-2017, Alison Miller, Kristina R. Anderson, William D. Ramos

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Drowning is a leading cause of fatality among children in the United States, and residential pools/spas currently account for as much as 80% of these submersion incidents. This study reviewed narrative case reports obtained from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to understand barrier location, type, and functionality as methods of pool/spa access for childhood submersion incidents. Retroactive analysis of 1,523 fatal and non-fatal submersion incidents among children aged 13 years old and younger was conducted using the CPSC in depth investigation dataset from 2000-2017. Narrative descriptions were coded according to the attributes of barrier location, functionality, and …

Perceived And Real Water Competency And Drowning Risk Among Adults, Teresa Stanley, Kevin Moran, Dawn Garbett, Alan Ovens

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Traditionally, public understanding of drowning survival has focused on swimming capacity, often measured by how far a person can swim. With respect to the high incidence of adult drowning in high-income countries, using the more inclusive concept of water competency may yield a more comprehensive explanatory framework for understanding the reasons behind these drownings. Any competency base required to survive a drowning situation is dynamic, complex, and multi-faceted. Furthermore, perceptions of risk and capacity to cope with that risk are likely to be pivotal to the avoidance of drowning. Adults’ perceived water competence was measured against their actual water competence …

Evaluating Drowning Prevention Campaigns - The Challenge Of Getting The Right Information To The Right People At The Right Time: A Response To Calverley, Petrass, And Blitvich, Gemma Crawford, Meg Abercromby, Malena Della Bona, Justine E. Leavy Ph.D.

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Evidence-informed decision making requires timely and readily available research and evaluation for policy and practice. In the context of drowning prevention, evaluation of interventions in the grey and peer reviewed literature is relatively scarce. Lack of evidence and associated barriers to access limits the scope of knowledge translation efforts and the application of research outcomes to initiatives designed to prevent drowning. The paper, Alcohol Focused Drowning Prevention Campaigns: What Do We Know and What Should We Do Now? highlights a lack of specific evaluation for alcohol-focused drowning prevention campaigns. We offer insights as evaluators of a youth water safety program …

Stress Hormone And Heart Rate Responses To Various Exercise Training Methods, Tomas Gomez Jr., Rebekah Schlatter, Megan Zamora, Marco Arriago, Sue Anne Chew, Murat Karabulut

Research Symposium

Background: Blood Flow Resistance (BFR) training has garnered attention for its ability to induce positive physiological adaptations with low-load resistance exercise. The present study aimed to examine the responses of catabolic hormones and heart rates (HR) to various BFR training protocols. This investigation seeks to provide insights into the stress levels induced by different protocols and identification behind the most effective protocol for optimal positive exercise-related adaptations.

Methods: Study population involved 10 healthy adult males (height: 175.0±5.0 cm, weight: 96.67±26.6 kg, age: 21.3±2.67 yr.) in a five-session investigation. Informed consent paperwork, pre-testing and anthropometric measurements served as session 1; sessions …

Implementing Meta-Session Autoregulation Strategies For Exercise- A Scoping Review, Adam Ibrahim, Cory T. Beaumont, Kelley Strohacker

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(5): 382-404, 2024. Meta-session autoregulation, a person-adaptive form of exercise prescription that adjusts training variables according to daily fluctuations in performance considering an individual’s daily fitness, fatigue, and readiness-to-exercise is commonly used in sports-related training and may be beneficial for non-athlete populations to promote exercise adherence. To guide refinement of meta-session autoregulation, it is crucial to examine the existing literature and synthesize how these procedures have been practically implemented. Following PRIMSA guidelines a scoping review of two databases was conducted from August 2021 to September 2021 to identify and summarize the selected measures of readiness-to-exercise …

Maximal Aerobic Capacity As A Predictor Of Performance On Acft Total Score Of Rotc Cadets, Anthony M. Acevedo, Zachary Zeigler, Bridget F. Melton

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 429-437, 2024. The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) is a newly developed test that assesses the combat readiness of U.S. Army soldiers. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to determine if VO_2max can predict performance outcomes of the ACFT in ROTC cadets. This understanding can provide a better understanding of the aerobic demands of the ACFT. Cadets (50 males, 14 females; aged 21.43 ± 4.10 years) completed the 6-event ACFT (maximum trap-bar deadlift [MDL], standing power throw [SPT], hand-release pushups [HRPU], sprint-drag-carry shuttle run [SDC], plank [PLK], and 2-mile run [2MR]). The …

Influence Of Body Composition On Functional Movement Among Police Officers, Stacy L. Gnacinski, Frankie Porter, Madison N. Renner, Tessa Laska

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 418-428, 2024. Research indicates that the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) can be used to measure functional movement quality and characterize musculoskeletal injury risk in tactical populations. Although body composition has been linked to chronic disease in police officers, the link between body composition and functional movement quality has not been explored in this population. As such, the purposes of the study were to examine: (a) the effect of body mass index (BMI) on functional movement, and (b) determine the significance of fat mass (FM) and fat free mass (FFM) in predicting functional movement among …

Maximal Running Speed And Critical Speed Are Positively Related To Phase Angle In Healthy Young Adults, Trevor Short, Paulette Yamada

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 405-417, 2024. Phase Angle (PhA), derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis, is a measurement of cellular resistance to electrical current and a non-invasive tool to monitor neuromuscular performance. The relationship between PhA and components of athletic performance is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to determine if maximal running speed, critical speed (CS), and/or D prime (D’) derived from a 3-minute all-out-test (3MAOT) correlates to PhA, reactance (Xc), or resistance (R). Sixty-one (male n=35, female n=26) healthy young adults (23.4±3.9 years) completed bioelectrical impedance analysis (Inbody770) and a 3MAOT. The correlations between …

The Effect Of Stroboscopic Vision Training On Blind-Folded Straight-Line Walking, Saira Talwar, Johneric W. Smith, John Lamberth

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(1): 438-444, 2024. Stroboscopic vision training has shown to improve visual-motor controland dynamic visual acuity in sport performance;however, no studies have considered using this training to enhance kinesthetic awareness during walking, applicable to high fall-risk populations. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of stroboscopic vision training on blind-folded straight-line walking. Methods: Thirty-seven college-aged healthy participants (age: 20.14 ± 1.23 years; females: N = 32, males: N = 5) completed this study. In this pre-posttest quasi-experimental investigation, participants with no epileptic or balance disorder history completed a four-week progressive stroboscopic vision …

A Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials On The Effects Of Photobiomodulation Therapy On Running Performance, Ana Paula Do Nascimento, Adriano Valmozino Da Silva, Juliano Casonatto, Andreo Fernando Aguiar

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 327-342, 2024. Objective: To conduct a meta-analysis to investigate the effects of Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy on running performance. Introduction: PBM has recently been advocated as a valuable non-pharmacological ergogenic strategy, however, the efficacy of PBM on running performance remains unproven. Methods: A computerized literature search was conducted until June 2023. The databases searched were PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were determined through the PICO process. The running variables analyzed were time-trial or time-to-exhaustion. Results were combined with the standardized mean differences (SMD) and the 95% confidence intervals. Results: Twelve …

Effects Of Different Physical Therapy Interventions In Improving Flexibility In University Students With Hamstring Tightness- A Systematic Review And Network Meta-Analysis, Esther Liyanage, Kt Malwanage, Mkid Senarath, Hm Wijayasinghe, Indrajith Liyanage, Fmd Chellapillai, Shiromi Nishshanka

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(3): 359-381 2024. The aim of the present study was to identify the different interventions for hamstring flexibility among university students with hamstring tightness and to determine the better treatment method. Design: Systematic review and network meta-analysis. An electronic search of the databases: Medline, Pubmed, Cochrane, EMBASE, CINAHL, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) was conducted. A total of 11 articles were included in the review. Of these articles, 02 were case-control studies, 02 were interventional pre-post studies and 07 were RCTs. The 07 RCTs were included for network meta-analysis. The findings of the initial network meta-analysis …

Acute Effects Of A Hop-Stabilization Warm-Up Program On Dynamic Balance, Ground Reaction Force, And Muscle Activity During Cutting Movements In Collegiate Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability, Teerapat Laddawong, Hiromi Saito, Toshiaki Soga, Hirose Norikazu

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(1): 343-358, 2024. First-time lateral ankle sprains often lead to chronic ankle instability (CAI), with 47% facing recurrent injuries, emphasizing the need for preventive measures. Side-cutting movements in sports pose a risk for CAI individuals due to potential biomechanical control alterations. While the hop-stabilization warm-up program has proven effective in preventing ankle sprains, its specific acute impact on CAI individuals lacks substantial evidence. This study employed a crossover design with eight CAI participants (23 ± 3.4 years, BMI 23 ± 1.5 kg/m²) and eight healthy participants (25 ± 3.6 years, BMI 23 ± …

Maximal Resistance Training In The Treatment Of Anorexia Nervosa – A Case Report Series, Darren R. Healy, Nicole Mansson, Mia Furu, Solfrid Bratland-Sanda, Jan Magnus Sjögren

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(3): 308-326, 2024. Objective: Anorexia Nervosa (AN) has one of the highest mortality rates of all mental health disorders, low recovery rate and is associated with widespread endocrine dysfunction. Resistance training (RT) has been consistently shown to provide beneficial effects on health outcomes that are often negatively affected by AN, however participation in exercise is controversial for individuals with AN. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of maximal RT as an add-on to standard of care in patients with AN. Methods: Originally, a controlled clinical trial was planned but due to …

Strengthening First Responders’ Coaching Proficiency Through A Peer Fitness Leader Workshop: A Preliminary Efficacy Trial, Sarah N. Lanham, Thomas R. Nagel, Haresh Rochani, Bridget F. Melton, Richard E. Cleveland

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(3): 298-307, 2024. First responders require physical fitness to perform dangerous tasks in unpredictable environments. To promote physical fitness among first responders, many agencies use a peer fitness leader (PFL) approach; however, resources for the fitness, wellness, and health of PFLs are often minimal. This study’s purpose was to investigate the effectiveness of a training workshop to increase PFL’s training knowledge and coaching comfort (CC). Thirty-six PFLs (Experience: 14.6 ± 9.1 yrs; Age: 41.0 ± 9.8 yrs; BMI: 28.9 ± 7.0 kg·m^-2) attended a one-day workshop. Paired samples t-tests assessed for differences …

Using A Walking Test To Assess Firefighter Fitness, Stephanie Donahue, Bilal Chaudhry, Carly Mcmorrow, Morgan Daly, Summer B. Cook, Michael Brian, Deborah L. Feairheller

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 285-297, 2024. Tactical populations face increased risk on the job, and it is known that firefighters have high levels of cardiac-related death. Aerobic fitness is a modifiable cardiac risk factor, but many fire stations lack the proper equipment to easily assess aerobic fitness levels of their firefighters. Additionally, many fire stations lack wellness programs to hold firefighters accountable for maintaining their fitness levels. Purpose: We assessed the validity of the submaximal 6-minute walk test (6MWT) as a measure of aerobic capacity compared to a maximal treadmill test and the submaximal Gerkin protocol. Methods: Twenty-four …

Influence Of The International Journal Of Exercise Science, Duane V. Knudson, Gracie K. Burson

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(2): 265-273, 2024. The International Journal of Exercise Science (IJES) publishes research from numerous subdisciplines of exercise science and health. This study documented the scholarly influence of the initial 15-year history (2008-2022) of the IJES. Publication, indexing, from the IJES website and four database services: Dimensions, Google Scholar (GS), PubMed, and SCImago Journal & Rank. The IJES has published 1055 articles in 79 issues in the first 15 years. The top 106 (10%) cited articles received a total of 7,195 citations according to GS. Top-cited IJES articles …

Acute Effects In Postural Sway As A Result Of Self-Myofascial Release On The Lower Extremities In Collegiate Female Athletes., Mackenzie Melton, Andrew Shim, Monica Dial, Guilherme M. Cesar

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(1): 274-284, 2024. Myofascial release is a popular therapy technique used to manipulate connective muscle tissue to become more pliable. The maintenance of body posture relies on mechanoreceptors located in connective tissue, thus manipulation of connective tissue should affect postural control. The effects of this phenomenon have not been well studied, leaving room for this investigation. PURPOSE: To observe if postural sway scores changed before and after foam rolling proximal (quadriceps and hamstrings) in comparison to distal (calves) muscles. METHODS: Thirty-six, college-aged female athletes (age 20.39 ± 0.25 years, mass 68.70 ± 1.97 kg, height …

Effects Of Hypopressive Exercise On Dynamic Neuromuscular Control In Female Roller-Skaters, Esther Hernández-Rovira, Tamara Rial-Rebullido, Diego A. Alonso-Aubin, Dolors Cañabate Ortiz

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(6): 252-264, 2024. The effects of hypopressive exercise (HE) on dynamic balance have never been studied. We aimed to study the effects of a HE program on dynamic balance, posterior chain kinematics and expiratory peak flow on female competitive roller skaters over a 6-week training period. Twenty competitive female roller-skaters (13-22 years of age, SD 2.25) performed a 30-minute HE session once weekly before the regular roller-skating practice for 6 weeks. The HE program consisted of breathing and postural awareness exercises in addition to 5 basic HE poses performed three times each. Dynamic neuromuscular control …

Correlation Between Lower-Body Strength And Performance Tests Among Female Ncaa Division Ii Softball Players, Elizabeth L. Alfaro, Jocarol Shields, Javier Zaragoza, Marcel Lopes Dos Santos, J. Jay Dawes, Doug Smith

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 212-219, 2024. Softball is a sport that requires speed, agility, and lower-body power to be successful. Accordingly, strength and conditioning programs have focused on improving speed and lower-body power, which are beneficial to players performing softball-related tasks. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between absolute and relative lower-body strength to performance measures among female collegiate softball players. Archived data collected during pre-season performance testing for twenty-one (n = 21) NCAA Division II collegiate softball players was used for this analysis. Measurements included countermovement jump (CMJ), broad jump (BJ), linear …

Isokinetic Shoulder Strength And Its Associations To Injury In Tactical Populations: A Critical Review, Michael Wilkinson, Steven Obst, Joshua Guy

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(3): 235-251, 2024. The aim of this review is to evaluate existing isokinetic testing protocols for the shoulder in tactical occupations, document their shoulder strength profiles, and determine any associations to shoulder injury. Four electronic databases were searched (Medline/Pubmed, Ovid/Emcare, CINAHL/Ebsco and Embase) using the keywords police OR law enforcement, firefighter, military, AND isokinetic. Articles were eligible if they had at least one cohort of a tactical population and included isokinetic testing of the glenohumeral joint. The search yielded 275 articles. After screening for duplicates and inclusion criteria, 19 articles remained for review, six of …

Changes In Brain Activity Immediately Post-Exercise Indicate A Role For Central Fatigue In The Volitional Termination Of Exercise, Grant Chesbro, Cameron Owens, Melody Reese, Lisa Destefano, J. Mikhail Kellawan, Daniel Larson, Michael Wenger, Rebecca Larson

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(1): 220-234, 2024. Electroencephalography (EEG) allows for the evaluation of real time changes in brain (electrocortical) activity during exercise. A few studies have examined changes in electrocortical activity using stationary cycling, but the findings have been mixed. Some of these studies have found increases in brain activity following exercise, while others have found decreases in brain activity following exercise. Hence, it is of importance to identify post-exercise changes in brain activity. Sixteen healthy, untrained subjects (8 males; 8 females) participated in the study. All 16 participants performed a graded exercise test (GXT) to volitional exhaustion …

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic And A Physical Therapy Program On Students’ Health Outcomes, Kristin S. Moreno, Caitlyn P. Ferguson, Vanessa A. Garcia, Manuel Gomez, Alvaro N. Gurovich

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(3): 199-211, 2024. The COVID-19 pandemic affected many aspects of everyday life including school, fitness regimens, and social interactions. The purpose of this study is to understand how COVID-19 restrictions affect the cardiovascular and mental health of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students as they progressed through the program. Data collection occurred in 16 DPT students (8F:8M, 24±3 years) over a total of 3 visits from 2020 to 2022, during high, moderate, and low COVID-19 restrictions. Outcome measures included VO2max, Venous Occlusion Plethysmography (VOP), %fat mass measured via DEXA, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and International …

Estimating Physical Activity And Sleep Using The Combination Of Movement And Heart Rate: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, James W. White Iii, Christopher D. Pfledderer, Parker Kinard, Michael W. Beets, Lauren Von Klinggraeff, Bridget Armstrong, Elizabeth L. Adams, Gregory J. Welk, Sarah Burkart, R. Glenn Weaver

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(7): 1514-1539, 2023. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to quantify the difference in physical activity and sleep estimates assessed via 1) movement, 2) heart rate (HR), or 3) the combination of movement and HR (MOVE+HR) compared to criterion indicators of the outcomes. Searches in four electronic databases were executed September 21-24 of 2021. Weighted mean was calculated from standardized group-level estimates of mean percent error (MPE) and mean absolute percent error (MAPE) of the proxy signal compared to the criterion measurement method for physical activity, HR, or sleep. Standardized mean difference (SMD) effect sizes …

Older Persons Participation In Hard Martial Arts: Opportunities To Improve Psychological Well-Being? A Scoping Review., Dan Sullivan, Mike Climstein, Brian Moore, Luke Del Vecchio Dr

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(5): 183-198, 2024. This study aims to explore the potential psychological and cognitive advantages for older individuals engaged in hard martial arts (HMA), through a comprehensive scoping review of literature up to 2023. Specifically, it examines the extent of changes in cognition, mental state, and quality of life among elderly participants of HMA. Inclusion criteria were studies conducted on healthy persons who were over 50 years of age. Only papers published in the English language were included. The search was undertaken in electronic databases and sources of grey literature. Thirteen papers with a total of …