Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Exploring The Vitality Of Athletic Training: Insights Into Professional Identity, Commitment, And Retention, L E. Eberman, M J. Rivera, K E. Games, M J. Drescher, J P. Young, J Clifton-Gaw, K Condrey, H Mccarn, N Mondelli, X Yuan

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: The confluence of fluctuating retention, fewer students entering professional programs, and the profession’s identity crisis (conflict between being a sports profession or a health profession) has created a serious question about the vitality of the athletic profession. However, research on the vitality of the profession has often focused on singular variables influencing professional identity, burnout, and commitment. The purpose of this project was to explore multiple factors influencing the vitality of the profession across professional identity and commitment in athletic training. Methods: We used a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, including surveys and interviews with athletic training students and athletic …

Using Ai-Generated Scenarios To Enhance Learning Of The Emergency Assessment Process, D Cobble, L Schroeder, J Vaughn, S Ford

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Rigorous accreditation standards require students to demonstrate competency in various clinical proficiencies through clinical practice or simulation-based educational activities. Therefore, simulation has become an integral component of athletic training education, as scenarios can provide realistic and reproducible experiences for all students. To that end, our study had two primary objectives: investigate the ability of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate accurate and realistic athletic training simulation scenarios and evaluate AI's effectiveness in teaching and reinforcing the emergency assessment process through student-created scenarios. Methods: Phase one, AI developed three different scenarios for patients experiencing (1) an ovarian cyst, (2) a hypoglycemic …

Prevalence, Perceptions, And Attitudes Of Accommodation For Students With Disabilities In Athletic Training Education Programs, T J. Babcock, L E. Eberman

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Disability accommodation has been widely researched in healthcare education programs, including medical doctor (MD), doctor of osteopathy (DO), and physical therapy (PT). However, little research has been conducted on classroom and clinical education accommodation in athletic training education. The purpose of this study was to explore these settings and gain an understanding of student experiences with accommodation in athletic training education programs. This project was deemed exempt by Indiana State University’s Institutional Review Board. Methods: A cross-sectional 24-question survey was developed and adapted from prior qualitative research on accommodation in physical therapy education. Emails containing a link to the …

Athletic Trainer Compensation Characteristics, J P. Young, K Ef Mair, L E. Eberman

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Athletic trainers (ATs) are integral to healthcare yet face ongoing challenges that affect job satisfaction and retention. Factors such as long work hours, low pay, and work-family conflict contribute to dissatisfaction and a desire to leave the profession. Salary disparities and lack of administrative support are key factors impacting professional fulfillment and career longevity. Identifying how compensation influences job satisfaction is essential for improving retention and advancing the profession. Our study aimed to examine the compensation characteristics of ATs and determine the key factors that predict gross income. Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted. The survey was validated …

Preceptor Development: Identifying The Best Modality For Building Clinical Educators, G W. Cohen, R M. Lopez, A J. Tritsch

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Preceptor training and development are not standardized within the athletic training profession. The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) requires that Athletic Training Programs provide an ongoing education plan for preceptors to promote a constructive learning environment for students. However, with the rapid expansion of clinical education opportunities outside of institutions' immediate area, programs must identify how to reach all their preceptors and uphold their programmatic expectations for clinical educators. Methods: The investigators conducted a cohort pre-test-post-test design study. A preceptor development program (PDP) was created and grounded in the theory of gamified learning and adult learning …

The Financial Stresses That Affect Athletic Training Students: A Qualitative Investigation, C Kuehner-Boyer, E León Zaragoza

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: A recent survey examining barriers that affect athletic training students found that financial-related barriers created significant stress for students in professional athletic training programs. The need to work while attending a professional athletic training program was the highest reported barrier with 54.82% of respondents indicating that this was a barrier for them during their program. Beyond the overall reporting rate, the need to work while completing a professional athletic training program was indicated by athletic training students to be the barrier that they encountered the most frequently with respondents reporting that this was a stress for them between monthly …

Characteristics Of Athletic Trainers That Are Satisfied And Dissatisfied With Their Compensation, K Ef Mair, J P. Young, L E. Eberman

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Job satisfaction among athletic trainers (ATs), particularly in relation to compensation, is a critical factor influencing retention and career fulfillment. Examining the factors linked to earnings satisfaction may offer insight into how workplace conditions can be improved to better support ATs. The purpose of our study was to investigate the attributes that distinguish ATs content with their compensation from those who are dissatisfied. Methods: We used a cross-sectional, web-based survey to gather AT compensation data, of which 1,887 participants responded to a question regarding their satisfaction with compensation. Respondents were divided into two groups based on their satisfaction with …

Enhancing Clinic Efficiency: A Quality Improvement Initiative For Postoperative Patient Care In An Outpatient Orthopedic Physician Practice Setting, D Stepan, T Jp Greffly, R M. Williams

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Following orthopedic surgery, patient post-operative (post-op) visits are deemed global surgical observations where day 00 to day 90 are appointments that cannot be billed. Patients are typically seen 3 times during this global period. Thus, the outpatient clinic needs to have non-billable time slots each day for these patients. The current scheduling model double books patients every 15 minutes, with the physician being the primary provider seeing patients for post-op visits. Therefore, the clinic has demonstrated inefficiencies with scheduling these patients while having sufficient appointments available for billable patients. This quality improvement initiative aimed to decrease post-op patient visits …

Adolescent Femoral Neck Fractures: A Case Study On Initial Surgical Intervention, Avascular Necrosis Development, And Subsequent Total Hip Arthroplasty, K A. Fisher

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Background: The patient sustained a femoral neck fracture at the age of 13 after slipping and falling in his home. He was seen in the Emergency Department the same day and underwent a closed reduction and percutaneous pinning procedure the following morning. Ten weeks after returning to full weightbearing, and 13.5 weeks after his initial fracture, he developed stress fractures of the medial distal femoral and proximal tibial metaphyses. He experienced gradual worsening of hip pain and difficulty with ambulation between 11 to 13 months post-closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP). Avascular necrosis and collapse of the femoral head was …

Strength Assessment Protocol In Pre-Professional Ballet Dancers, Simona Di Nardo, Ivan Mascio

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Purpose: This research project aimed to investigate the effects, particularly regarding the ability to generate force, that could emerge following a ballet class. The purpose of the study was to support the thesis that low levels of fitness and performance in professional and amateur dancers, should be considered a significant gap that needs to be addressed. Larger will be the gap and bigger will be the demand of a dancer to be prepared athletically. While the shorter the gap and more efficient the artistic side of the dance performance will be. As a result, a stronger and healthier body will …

Using Detrended Fluctuation Analysis To Determine The Effects Of Footwear On Postural Dynamics In Children, Samantha Martinez, Crystal S. Trevino, Bryon C. Applequist

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

ABSTRACT

Footwear, particularly stiff-soled shoes, can impact postural control in young children during a critical period of motor development. While proprioception plays a key role in maintaining balance, shoes may restrict natural movement, potentially affecting overall posture and proprioceptive abilities. This study examines how stiff-soled footwear influences postural control during quiet standing in children. PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the influence of stiff-soled footwear on postural control in young children by analyzing balance and stability during quiet standing. Specifically, we assessed whether wearing footwear with various degrees of stiffness influenced the temporal correlations of center of pressure (COP). …

Treadmill Training Program For A Non-Ambulatory Individual With Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, Krysta V. Rivero Romero, Vanessa Mikan Phd, Edward Merritt

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

CASE HISTORY: 26-year-old Caucasian male. Primary medical history includes spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, otherwise negative health history. Presented to human performance laboratory for case study of pre- and post-exercise training cardiorespiratory fitness testing. PHYSICAL EXAM: Patient examination indicated bilateral upper and lower limb contractures, and bilateral upper and lower limb spasticity. Hyperlordosis was also noted. Patient had a limited range of motion across hip, knee, and ankle, and was unable to walk without support on a motorized treadmill. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES: General: Alert and oriented. Neural: spastic upper and lower extremities. Musculoskeletal: upper and lower extremity contractures. TESTS & RESULTS …

Mitochondrial Function In T-Cells: The Impact Of Cardiorespiratory Fitness And Body Fat In Men And Women, Nathan Fuentes, Emily Lavoy, Charlie Hodgman, Rebeka Hunt, Justin Crane, Micheal Herskowitz

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

PURPOSE: Determine whether T-cell mitochondria differ in women and men categorized by cardiorespiratory fitness and percent body fat. METHODS: 9 women (age: (mean ± standard deviation) 29.2 ± 6.8 years) and 17 men (age: 28.0 ± 6.3 years) visited our laboratory for a body fat scan, donate blood sample and complete a VO2max test. For the VO2max test, participants were fitted with a heart rate monitor and a mask for breath analysis with a metabolic cart. Participants cycled on bicycle ergometer with the resistance increased 20 watts/minute until volitional exhaustion. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and stained …

The Effect Of Footwear And Speed On Nonlinear Variability Of Runners, Kaleb Luna, Becca Henicke, Bryon C. Applequist

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The high incidence of foot and lower leg injury in adult walkers and runners and its relationship with footwear is a problem that has been investigated exhaustively (Barnes & Smith, 1994; Herzog, 2012; Knapik et al., 2014; Tancred, 1996).Traditionally, measures such as stride length, step length, step width, stride time and step time, as well as kinematic (joint angles) and kinetic (forces) measures have been used to quantify gait (Chang et al., 2006, Diop et al., 2005, Diop et al., 2004, Samson et al., 2009). These measures are important, but may not reveal the mechanism, or mechanisms affecting gait. Many …

Balance Control During Stair Descent In Older Adults, David Wyatt

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Falls during step descent are a significant risk for older adults, often hindering independence in daily activities such as stair descent and stepping off curbs. This study examines the effects of gait width and foot angle on stability and control during step descent. PURPOSE: To determine whether a wider gait with a 30-degree foot angle improves stability and reduces the risk of falls, thereby supporting safer and more independent mobility in older adults. METHODS: Participants aged 18-25 and 70-79, with no known gait impairments or balance disorders, performed a 14 cm step descent using a normal gait and a wider …

The Effect Of A Short-Term Antibiotic Cycle On Blood Biomarkers In Adults With Overweight And Obesity, Anne George, Melissa Fernandez Alonso, Ashlyn Dooley, Matthew Loritz, Jessica Mrosla, Olivia Landis, Katelyn Harnen, Genevieve Aiwonegbe, Meggan Duncan, Angela Berry, Jaidyn Hooper, Sarah Mckinley-Barnard, Elisa Marroquine, Ryan R. Porter

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

It has been demonstrated in previous literature that early-life antibiotic exposure may contribute to metabolic dysfunction related to the development of overweight and obesity later in life. More recent studies suggest an additional relationship between antibiotic exposure beyond early life and obesity, as well as insulin resistance. However, there are a limited number of studies reporting the effects of short-term antibiotic exposure on insulin resistance and other blood biomarkers. PURPOSE: This study investigates the effects of short-term antibiotic exposure on insulin resistance and other blood biomarkers. METHODS: This study is part of a larger ongoing investigation examining the …

The Comparison Of Time To Peak Rapid Force Production In Division One Collegiate Male Football, Track, And Basketball Players, Anthony M. Rogers Jr, Matthew P. Gonzalez, Samuel Montalvo, Sandor Dorgo

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Sports such as football (FB), track (TR), and basketball (BB) use movements that require rapid force development in order to be successful. An athlete’s ability to generate power is vital for performance in these sports. While many studies have looked at rapid force development in one sport, there is a paucity of research when comparing athletes across different sports for their time to peak force development. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare male FB, BB, and TR athletes’ time to peak force and rate of development performance. METHODS: A total of 138 athletes (n=14 BB, n=108 FB, …

Paraspinal And Gastrocnemii Response To Shod And Barefoot Running With Rearfoot And Forefoot Landing, Shivaniba Gohil

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Barefoot (BF) and shod (S) running with conditions at heel landing (HS) and forefoot landing (FF) has impact on shock attenuation at the foot through the trunk. Muscle activation is crucial to understand the response of the system to vertical loading of the system during running. Purpose: This study investigated muscle activation in the gastrocnemii and lumbar paraspinal (LP) muscles during barefoot (BF) and shod (S) running with heel strike (HS) and forefoot strike (FF) landings to understand neuromuscular responses to vertical loading. Methods: Sixteen female collegiate runners (20.4 ± 3.2 yrs, 59.4 ± 7.7 kg, 1.63 ± 0.07 m) …

Association Of Urinary Incontinence And Landing Forces In Nulliparous Athletes, Nikolas Keratsopoulos, Jaci Kelly, Kindyle Brennan, Peggie Williamson, Laurel Proulx, Mandy E. Parra

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Pelvic floor (PF) research in nulliparous athletes is emerging to better monitor PF health in female athletes who undergo high impact forces which may cause stress urinary incontinence (SUI) during activity. The link between the pelvic floor and deceleration is not well understood in an active population. This may help clinicians to better diagnose and prevent UI and PF dysfunction. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between peak braking forces and urinary incontinence in Division III acrobatics and tumbling athletes. METHODS: Twenty-one female acrobatic and tumbling athletes volunteered for this study. Data was filtered …

The Associations Between Pulmonary Function And Body Composition Parameters In Healthy, Non-Smoking Adults, Leroy K. Bolden, Tomas J. Chapman-Lopez, Olivia Russell, Mary C. Pickler, Andrew R. Gallucci

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Spirometry, or pulmonary function testing, is a commonly used method to assess lung function and to determine the severity of lung disease (e.g., COPD, Asthma). Current literature has identified relationships between pulmonary function and body composition in athletes and individuals suffering from various diseases (e.g., COPD, Asthma). However, there is limited research establishing this relationship in metabolically healthy individuals (e.g., healthy, overweight, obese). PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between body composition and pulmonary function in metabolically healthy, non-smoking adults. METHODS: 109 participants (51=M and 58=F, age = 42.3 ± 11.4, BF% 24.8 …

Sexual Pleasure, Satisfaction, And Activities In Masters Track And Field Athletes, Natalie Mclaurin, Lin-Sheng Chen, Tianyu Wang, Jonas Boecker, Jakub Adamczyk, Jacek Zielinski, Krzysztof Kusy, Joern Rittweger, Hirofumi Tanaka

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Sexual function is an important factor for quality of life and has been shown to decrease with aging but increase with exercise training. Masters athletes (MA) demonstrate substantial physical function, reduced disease risks, and enhanced mental outlook, compared with the general population (GP), in spite of their chronological age. Currently, it is unknown whether MA who engage in strenuous exercise on a regular basis possess greater sexuality than their predominantly sedentary peers. PURPOSE: To compare sexual history, desire, and satisfaction in male and female MA with the GP. METHODS: A 52-item survey that evaluated sexual function and history …

Effect Of A Bungee Tension System On Physiological And Perceptual Variables While Jogging, Jaelynn Barrera, Gary Guerra, John D. Smith

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The Lightspeed Lift, which is an unweighting system that utilizes bungee cords for support, offers a more affordable alternative to other unweighting systems. Few studies have explored its effect on energy expenditure, perceived exertion, and how much body weight is reduced. PURPOSE: To examine two different bungee attachments on oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE, VAS) and body weight. METHODS: Participants (n=16, age=33.94±14.9 yrs, ht=168.4±9.4 cm, wt=72.2±11.7 kg) jogged on a treadmill at five mph for 10 min while interfaced with an oxygen analyzer without unweighting (NU), unweighted with a standard tension bungee (ST), and …

Relative Energy Deficiency In Sports (Female Triad), Maryn S. Campbell, Lindsay Spindler, Chuck Ruot

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

CLINICAL PRESENTATION & EXAM: A patient with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) will often present symptoms of low energy availability (LEA), reduction in body weight (BW), fat mass (FM), and resting heart rate (RHR). In addition, there is disruption with gastrointestinal (GI) function and the menstrual cycle. RED-S symptoms typically start as LEA, then progress into decreased nutrient intake which can lead into the symptoms listed previously. Patients that experience RED-S are typically female athletes and tend to experience the symptoms during their sports season. Female athletes are more prone to RED-S because of the Female Triad. The …

The Effect Of 6-Weeks Of Yoga Training On Measures Of Health & Performance In Sedentary Individuals, Jaykuvarba D. Kher, Brett W. Crossland, Dr. Frank B. Wyatt, Khushbu M. Desai

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Yoga is a part of complementary and alternative medicine aimed at improving overall physical well-being. Yoga is a relatively new treatment approach often used in evidence-based exercise practice. It is known that aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, running, and cycling have beneficial effects on respiratory and cardiovascular systems. While yoga is not entirely an aerobic exercise, previous research justifies the benefits of yoga training on multiple systems of the human body. PURPOSE: Previous research has found a positive effect of Hatha Yoga practice on diseased populations. Minimal research supports the use of Hatha Yoga to increase makers of aerobic …

Cerebral Vascular Response During A Hypercapnic Challenge With And Without Simultaneous Activation Of The Sympathetic Nervous System, Sajjad Moradi, James E. Brown, John Kolade, Hannah E. Nagib, R Matthew Brothers

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Cerebral vascular function/health is crucial for the maintenance of neurocognitive function and prevention of various neurocognitive and cerebral vascular conditions/diseases. Cerebral vascular function is commonly assessed by evaluating the vasodilatory response to a hypercapnic stimuli. A larger vasodilatory response is associated with more positive outcomes, while a blunted response is associated with an increased risk of cerebral vascular and neurocognitive diseases in the future. However, it remains unclear whether simultaneous activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) can attenuate cerebral vasodilation during a hypercapnic challenge. PURPOSE: Therefore, this study tested the hypothesis that cerebral vascular vasodilatory responsiveness to a …

Potential Immune Health Benefits Of Nasal Breathing Exercise On Inflammatory Cytokines In Plasma And Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells, Camilia L. Castillo, Jose M. Moris, Yunsuk Koh

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Nasal breathing (NB) is gaining popularity in exercise routines to enhance performance and overall health. However, its effects on intracellular and extracellular inflammatory cytokines, which are crucial to the immune response, remain unclear. PURPOSE: This study examined the acute responses of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs – representing intracellular cytokines) and plasma (representing extracellular cytokines) following maximal aerobic exercise with NB. METHODS: Eleven physically healthy, sedentary men (age = 20.63±1.36, BMI=26.03±3.16 kg/m2, and VO2max = 32.60±6.46 mL/kg/min) were randomly assigned to either the NB (N=6) or the combined (control) breathing (CB, N=5) group. Both groups …

Preliminary Evidence For The Effects Of A Mental Toughness Intervention On Athlete Engagement: A Longitudinal Study In Collegiate Dancers, Spencer Cavan, Andreas Stamatis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Engagement is an active, work-related positive psychological state characterized by the intensity and direction of cognitive (CE), emotional (EE), and behavioral (BE) energy toward performance, well-being, and resilience outcomes in high-pressure environments. Mental toughness (MT), the capacity to consistently perform under pressure, may help increase engagement. As the professionalization of college athletics advances, athletes increasingly function as employees, requiring full psychological engagement. This study is the first to examine the effectiveness of an MT intervention on athlete engagement. PURPOSE: To examine the effectiveness of an MT intervention on athlete engagement, measured across CE, EE, and BE domains, as well …

Impact Of Electrical Muscle Stimulation During Prolonged Sitting Combined With Mental Stress - A Pilot Study, Takanobu Okamoto, Lin-Sheng Chen, Daniela Charry, Kazumasa Manabe, Kelvin Phan, Hirofumi Tanaka

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Mental stress superimposed on prolonged sitting is a common encounter. Both conditions are known to induce vascular dysfunction and impair executive function. While physical activity during sitting can mitigate these adverse effects, such activity is not always permissible for college students studying for important exams and office workers approaching critical deadlines. Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) of the lower limb muscles has been proposed as a potential alternative to voluntary exercise and might help preserve vascular and cognitive function under these conditions. PURPOSE: This pilot study investigated whether EMS could attenuate arterial stiffening and cognitive decline induced by combined prolonged …

Case Presentation For Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (Scfe), Isaac T. Edwards, Lucas M. Edwards, Kent Willis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

CASE HISTORY: The patient is a 15-year-old male who presented with left hip pain of approximately 2 weeks in duration. The patient reported that the pain worsened with hip movement. He also described intermittent popping in the hip and pain radiating to the lateral thigh. The pain began before he fell and struck his hip 3 days ago. Despite using ibuprofen and Tylenol, the pain persisted with minimal relief. PHYSICAL EXAM: The patient appeared well-developed and well-nourished with no apparent distress. Musculoskeletal exam revealed pain with full flexion and external rotation of the left hip, but muscle strength …

A Comparative Analysis Of Nutritional Knowledge Among Division 1 College Athletes, Malachi Lecadre-Grey, Emily Castillo

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Nutrition is a cornerstone of athletic performance, yet many athletes at the collegiate level lack sufficient knowledge about how to properly fuel their bodies for optimal performance. While athletes generally recognize that nutrition is important for health and performance, many fail to fully understand the specific nutritional needs that support their intense physical demands. This gap in nutritional knowledge can hinder not only their performance, but also their recovery and long-term health. Given the complex role that nutrition plays in athletes’ training, competition, and recovery, addressing this knowledge gap is essential for ensuring athletes can reach their full athletic potential. …