Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Utilization Of Physical Literacy To Understand Physical Activity In Individuals With A History Of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Rachel Renee Kleis

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is common in physically active populations. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is commonly performed after injury in order to restore joint stability and knee function and return patients to desired levels of physical activity. However, not everyone will return to their pre-injury levels of sport after surgery and recent evidence reveals that individuals with a history of ACLR are less likely to meet the recommended physical activity guidelines. Specifically, previous literature has reported that individuals with a history of ACLR take fewer daily steps and participate in less moderate-to-vigorous physical activity compared to …

The Physiological Effects Of Therapy Dogs During Exercise For Sedentary Adults, Josie Lynne Mazzone

All NMU Master's Theses

Previous research has shown therapy dogs may be utilized to attenuate heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) responses during various types of stressors due to an increase in oxytocin (OT) and decrease in cortisol (CL) production. These hormonal changes have also been shown to enhance exercise performance. Purpose: This study aimed to determine if physiological responses to exercise changed in the presence of a therapy dog for sedentary adults. Methods: Seven adult subjects (mean age of 30.86 ± 14.07 years) who self-reported less than 150 min of physical activity per week participated in a graded walking test with a …

The Effect Of Exercise On College Students' Overall Health, Tanner Steineke

Honors Thesis

Introduction: Many individuals are not attaining the World Health Organization and American Heart Association’s recommendations for daily physical activity. Physical activity habits are developed during young adulthood and it is therefore important to study barriers to physical activity in college students.

Objectives: Investigate the relationship between college student’s physical activity and their overall health. Methods: Data was collected by circulating an online survey to students on the University of South Dakota campus. Several survey questions were used from the SF-36 and the National College Health Assessment. Measures included mental health, physical activity, overall health, diet, and sleep habits.

Results: Results …

The Effects Of Exercise Training On Insulin Supply And Demand In Breast Cancer Survivors, Richard Viskochil

Doctoral Dissertations

Elevated insulin concentrations may influence cancer and cardiometabolic disease onset and prognosis, and lower insulin levels after exercise may contribute to disease prevention and overall health. The effect of exercise training on systemic and tissue-specific insulin supply and demand in breast cancer survivors and adults at risk for cardiometabolic disease is unclear. The objective of this dissertation was to evaluate the effects of exercise training on postmeal insulin concentrations in breast cancer survivors, and identify mechanisms responsible for changes to insulin supply and demand following exercise training in breast cancer survivors and adults at risk for cardiometabolic disease. Study 1 …

Relationship Of Stress, Sleep, Physical Activity, And Food Insecurity On Eating Behaviors And Obesity, Amy Lee Richards

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is an urgent need to find effective interventions to prevent and reduce obesity as it is associated with chronic disease and decreased quality of life. Gaining a better understanding of how modifiable variables such as stress, sleep, physical activity, and food insecurity are related to eating behaviors associated with obesity is essential to guide the direction of future interventions and research. Interventions that hold promise need to be tested to determine if they have merit or not. This dissertation presents three papers. Two papers are cross-sectional studies evaluating associations between eating behaviors, obesity, and modifiable variables (stress, sleep, physical …

Health-Related Quality Of Life And Physical Activity In University Employees, Meghan Hoefs

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) reflects an individual’s subjective perception. The relationship between health-related quality of life and physical activity has been investigated in various populations, but is not well-documented in University employees. Additionally, variables such as an individual’s beliefs about physical activity and their satisfaction with functioning at work have yet to be investigated in this population. Little is known about the relationship between HRQL and these variables. Purpose: Evaluate the relationships among multiple measures of HRQL and physical activity in University employees and provide a descriptive picture of the University population. Methods: Participants (N …

The Effects Of Health-Related Fitness On School Attendance In New York City 6th-8th Grade Youth, Emily M. D'Agostino

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Background: Only 42% of youth ages 6-11 in the United States meet the World Health Organization’s recommendation for ≥60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity. Estimates for adolescents ages 12-19 are even lower, ranging from 8-17%. Literature suggests low levels of youth health-related fitness (fitness) may negatively impact attendance, potentially due to reduced physical and psychosocial wellness. Nationally, 10-15% of (5-7.5 million) students are chronically absent, meaning that they miss ≥10% of the school year (or ≥20 days of school per year). Moreover, 20-30% of students in high-poverty, urban school districts do not attend school regularly (≥6 days …

Association Of Sleep Behavior To Physical Activity And Bmi In 9th And 10th Grade Students, Sonia Lina Davda

Senior Theses

Despite the topic’s popularity in research, the relationship between sleep duration and physical activity (PA) remains unclear. Measurement protocol differences, highly specific samples, and incomplete data contribute to varying results suggesting that additional research is needed. The purpose of the TRACK II study was to examine the relationship between PA, BMI, and self-reported sleep in adolescents. 369 9 th and 10 th grade students from 2 diverse school districts participated in the study. Participants completed a self-reported sleep questionnaire and had their height and weight measured. Demographic variables were also reported by participants. Actigraph accelerometers were used to objectively measure …

Exercise Motivations Of Older Adults, Laura J. Attaway

All Master's Theses

This study examined and compared activity levels and motives in 103 older (over 50 years of age) competitive athletes (CA) and non-competitive fitness exercisers (NCF). The findings indicate that the CA group was significantly higher in the motives of enjoyment, competition, and social recognition. Ranking of the strength of the motivation factors for each group indicated that enjoyment was the strongest motivating factor for both groups, health ranked high for both groups, and social recognition ranked lowest in both groups. Findings related to rankings were not tested for significance, so are more tentative.

Physical Activity And Its Effect On Reducing Disease: A Literature Review Of The National Runner's Health Study, Graham William Edson

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Factors Influencing Peripheral Skin Temperature Circadian Rhythm In Young Adult Males, Hannah Tranel

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Periodic cues, including scheduled exercise, social interactions, sleep habits, and feeding time, have been shown to alter the circadian system. A disruption in circadian rhythms has been shown to have negative effects on health. Frequent skin temperature measures have been shown to be a valid method of assessing circadian rhythm parameters. The purpose of this study was to determine group mean differences in temperature amplitude, stability and lag measures among groups of young men of varying (optimal, fair and poor) adiposities. The strength of the association among the temperatures parameters and measures of body composition, physical fitness and activity, nutritional …