Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Strength-Based Physiological Profiles Of Ncaa Division I Womens Basketball And Gymnastics Athletes: Implications For Injury Risk Assessment, Curtis Cazier

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive strength-based physiological profile of women’s collegiate basketball and gymnastic athletes; and to make sport-specific comparisons for various isokinetic and maximal and rapid isometric strength characteristics of the knee flexor and extensor muscles. A focus on antagonist muscle balance (hamstrings to quadriceps ratios, H:Q) will help elucidate particular vulnerabilities in these at-risk female athletes. Fourteen Division I collegiate level women’s basketball and 13 women’s gymnastics athletes performed isokinetic and isometric strength testing of the knee extensors and flexors. Outcome measures included absolute and body mass normalized (relative) isokinetic and isometric peak …

Comparison Of Land And Aquatic Loaded Countermovement Jump Landings In Female Ncaa Division I Collegiate Athletes, Samantha L. Nielson

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate alterations in lower extremity kinematics during the landing phase of a countermovement jump when performed in different environments and under multiple external loads. Twenty-four NCAA Divison I collegiate female athletes performed 12 countermovement jumps on land and 12 jumps in water, submerged to the xiphoid process, for a total of 24 jumps. Within each environmental condition, four loading conditions of three jumps each were performed using a weighted vest: Unloaded, 10%, 20%, or 30% of body mass. The hip, knee, and ankle angles were measured as the smallest angles between the major …

Evaluation Of Long-Term Effects Of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury On Visual Motor Control Of Ncaa Division I Football Athletes, Kathryn Delost

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Context: Current concussion evaluation assessments rely largely on static measures that may not detect subtle changes in behavior. Dynamic evaluation, such as visual-motor tracking tasks, may reveal subtle and meaningful changes in motor behavior post-concussion. Objective: This study compared measurements of performance regularity over a time series (approximate entropy; ApEn), which was derived from a visual-motor tracking task performed before concussion, post concussion, and at one month, three months, and six months post concussion. ApEn values were compared for number of previous concussions and playing position groups. Design: ApEn values were collected from the visual-motor tracking task, and history of …

Pitch Perception In Preschool-Age Children Who Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing, Megan Lambert

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This research thesis will 1) provide an overview of the psychoacoustics of music perception, particularly as related to the properties of pitch perception in young children and 2) describe the methods and outcomes of an exploratory study to evaluate the efficacy of obtaining pitch perception data from preschool age children with hearing loss. Each child completed a series of three tasks, including coaching and practice, single note perception, and pitch contrasts. All of the children readily understood the single-note pitch perception task. Pitch contrast performance across participants ranged from 50% to 96% correct for the first data collection period and …

Effect Of Increasing External Loads On Countermovement Jump Landing Kinetics Between Ncaa Di Women's Soccer And Gymnastics On Land Vs In Water, Paul Bryan Beachem Iv

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of differing loads on landing kinetics on land, and in aquatic conditions. Twenty four NCAA DI athletes volunteered for this study twelve female soccer players and twelve female gymnasts. Participants performed three jumps with four differing external loads in both land and aquatic environments. External loads were body weight (BW), BW*1.1, BW*1.2, BW*1.3 and applied via a weighted vest. All external loads for both conditions were added based upon participants BW on land. Kinetic measures were peak force, rate of force development, and impulse of the landing phase of the …

Conversational Alignment: A Study Of Neural Coherence And Speech Entrainment, Kristen M. Jensen, Stephanie A. Borrie, Breanna E. Studenka, Ronald B. Gillam

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Conversational alignment refers to the tendency for communication partners to adjust their verbal and non-verbal behaviors to become more like one another during the course of human interaction. This alignment phenomenon has been observed in neural patterns, specifically in the prefrontal areas of the brain (Holper et al., 2013; Cui et al., 2012; Dommer et al., 2012; Holper et al., 2012; Funane et al., 2011; Jiang et al., 2012); verbal behaviors such acoustic speech features (e.g., Borrie & Liss, 2014; Borrie et al., 2015; Lubold & Pon-Barry, 2014), phonological features (e.g., Babel, 2012; Pardo, 2006), lexical selection (e.g., Brennan & …

The Multifaceted Interaction Of Pain Perception In Collegiate Athletes, Kristen Leigh Bartiss

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Deepening the present understanding of the multidimensional nature of athlete perceptions of pain requires attention to three specific gaps. First, the field currently lacks fundamental knowledge regarding the relationship between an individual’s athletic identity and the role of the brain in deciphering and responding to painful stimuli. Because athletes view injury as a potential loss of identity and thus a significant part of themselves (International Olympic Committee, n.d.), the severity they ascribe to pain is both conceptually and practically relevant. Second, the field has yet to fully explore the specific areas of the brain associated with subsequent functional connectivity as …

Dose Response Relationship Between Aquatic Treadmill Running And Change To Si In Land Treadmill Running, Luke Campbell Roberts

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Aquatic therapies have been used in some of the earliest human civilizations. Examples can be seen in China, ancient Rome and even in the early history of U.S. settlements.^1,2 Over the past few years aquatic environments have become a more common method for rehabilitation, injury prevention, and cross training. Additionally, research has observed that aquatic exercise may assist in pain relief, swelling reduction, and ease of movement due to the pressure and warmth of water.⁷ Aquatic environments can also be used to reduce forces placed on the lower extremities by reducing the weight of the subject through buoyancy. …

Validity And Reliability Of A-Mode Ultrasound For Body Composition Assessment Of Lean, Division I Athletes, Dustin L. Cain

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Athletes strive for a competitive advantage, and for some athletes building a lean body with a low body fat percentage (%BF) can help them achieve a higher level of performance. This is particularly the case in gravitational sports in which a high body mass hinders performance, in aesthetic sports in which there is a perceived ideal shape, and in weight class sports in which competition is organized into categories of body mass (20). However, some athletes put themselves at risk of health problems through extreme dieting, disordered eating, and fluid restriction in an effort to achieve a particular weight or …

Comparison Of Propulsive Power During Loaded Countermovement Jumps Performed In Water Versus Land In College Aged Males, Clint R. Nardoni

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

As use of an aquatic environment increases as a training and rehabilitative tool, the purpose of this study was to assess peak propulsive power in loaded countermovement jumps (CMJ) in water and compare them to loaded CMJ on land. 20 college aged (24.6±3.6 years) recreationally active males performed 4 randomized countermovement jumps on a force plate with increasing loads (bodyweight [BW], BW+10%, BW+20%, BW+30%) in two environments: immersed in water at the xiphoid process and on land. Peak power (PP) and mean power (MP) normalized to apparent mass were assessed for all jumps. A 2 (environment) by 4 (load) repeated …

Wingate Anaerobic Test Methods For Power-Trained Males Using Velotron, Nicolas W. Clark

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two methodologies (start method and sprocket size) of the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) on peak power (PP) and mean power (MP). Twenty power-trained males (24.6 ± 4.5 years; 25.4 ± 2.5 BMI) with the same exercise routine for the past 4 months performed, in a randomized order, four WAnT with different combinations of start method, flying (FLY) or stationary (STA), and front sprocket size, 62-tooth sprocket (S-62) or 85-tooth sprocket (S-85), using the Velotron Racermate®. The results showed main effects for start method (p < 0.001; ES 0.753) and sprocket size (p < 0.001; ES 0.69) for PP and MP, respectively. For PP, significantly (p < 0.001) higher mean differences were shown for both FLYs (14.4 w/kg) while MP showed significant (p < 0.01) increases for S-85 in combination with the FLY (10.9 W/kg) and for S-85 in combination with the STA (9.7 W/kg). Pearson correlation (r) revealed no significant relationship between same start methods, FLY (p > 0.05; r = 0.227) or …

Assessment Of Morphosyntactic Development Of Preschool Children With Hearing Loss Using The Clinical Evaluation Of Language Fundamentals-Preschool Second Edition, Angela Anderson

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

It is recommended that children with HL are assessed using standardized assessments normed on hearing peers (Houston & Caraway, 2009; Joint Commission on Infant Hearing (JCIH), 2007). However, as these assessments are more commonly administered to children with HL there is reason to further investigate the sensitivity of these assessments particularly in their ability to identify weaknesses specific to HL. The CELF-Preschool 2 (Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals – Preschool (Wiig, Secord & Semel, 2004)) has been found to be a valid tool for diagnosing language impairment in normal hearing children (Spaulding, Plante, & Farinella, 2006). However, this assessment has …

Effect Of Water Immersion And Jet Perturbation On Balance In Older And Younger Adults, Matthew Baldwin

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Background: Although balance exercises are often performed in shallow pools, the efficacy of this practice is not well understood. Purpose: To quantify the effect of water depth and jet intensity on measures of balance in older and younger adults. Subjects: Sixteen older (age = 62.8 °” 9.56 yrs) and fifteen younger (age = 22.5 °” 1.85 yrs) adults. Methods: Posturography data were collected as participants stood quietly for 90 seconds on land and at various water depths and jet intensities. Results: Main effects < 0.001) and pairwise comparisons revealed that all measurements increased with increasing water depth and jet intensity,with older adults increasing statistically less than younger adults at higher jet intensities. Conclusions: Water immersion to the xiphoid process and water jet intensities at or above 40% seem to be environmental conditions that produce the greatest postural sway.

Evaluation Of The Long Term Effectiveness Of The Nutrition Component Of The Fit Kids Of Arizona Program, Megann Dastrup

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The Fit Kids of Arizona program was created in 2009 to combat the childhood obesity epidemic in Northern Arizona. Fit Kids has been providing health education to overweight children and their families for the past five years. Research to validate the programs efforts has been lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the nutrition component of the Fit Kids of Arizona program. The study also aimed to analyze the changes in BMI percentile after program participation and to obtain program satisfaction comments from past participants. Through the research process it was realized that the data collection and …

Inter- And Intra-Rater Reliabililty Of A Modified Approach To Scoring The Balance Error Scoring System Bess In Undistracted And Distracted Conditions, Jacob Ryan Pierce

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Context: We have developed a modified approach to scoring balance errors with the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) by eliminating two of the six original error criteria.

Objective: To measure the inter- and intra-rater reliability of this modified BESS approach. Because of the potential auditory distractions that may be present in a clinical setting, we also measured reliability for distracted rating conditions.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: University sports medicine clinic.

Patients or Other Participants: Board of Certification (BOC) certified athletic trainers as raters (n=6).

Intervention: Raters used a modified approach to scoring the BESS to score 32 different …

Differences In Strike Index Between Treadmill And Aquatic Treadmill Running In Experienced Distance Runners, James Paul Hoover Jr.

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Strike index (SI) quantifies how one’s foot contacts the ground at the beginning of the stance phase of gait. SI is reported as a percentage of the total foot length, with lower percentages indicating a more posterior point of contact, while greater percentages indicate a more anterior point of contact along the foot. Differences in SI may be related to running-related injuries, such that experienced distance runners who are rearfoot (posterior) strikers may have approximately twice the rate of repetitive stress injuries than forefoot (anterior) strikers. Previous research has shown that forefoot strikers, as opposed to rearfoot strikers, produce lower …

Does Motor Learning Generalize Between Distinct Functional Upper Extremity Tasks In Older Adults?, Bergen Elyse Lindauer

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Background: The process of motor learning can decline with age, such that older adults tend to learn new motor skills at a slower rate and to a lesser degree than younger adults. The degree to which aging affects the generalization of motor learning, however, is unclear.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test whether task-specific training on one functional motor task would 1) result in motor learning, and 2) generalize to two untrained tasks in older adults.

Methods: Twenty-one adults age 65 years and older participated in this study and were assigned to either a training group or …

Test-Retest Reliability Of The Neurocom® Vsr™ Sport In Division I Collegiate Female Soccer Players, Crystal Davisson

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The NeuroCom® VSR Sport stability evaluation test (SET) protocol was designed to identify postural control deficits in athletes who have sustained a concussion. The purpose of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability of the NeuroCom® VSR Sport SET protocol in non-concussed Division I collegiate female soccer players. A secondary purpose of this study was to determine whether participants displayed a learning effect when tested using the SET protocol across three days. A repeated measures design was used, testing participants on days 1, 7, and 8. Nineteen participants (20.05 ± 1.26 years old) from Utah State University’s women’s soccer …

Association Between Pelvic Motion And Hand Velocity In College-Aged Baseball Pitchers, William Temlin Horlbeck

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Previous research suggests that pelvic motion is closely related to pitching performance over the course of a season. Few studies have examined pelvic motion and its relationship to an acute pitching variable. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between pelvic motion and hand velocity in college-aged pitchers. Nine healthy club baseball team pitchers performed two tests: A pelvic motion test, and a hand velocity test during a pitch. The pelvic motion test required participants to lift their kicking leg 10 cm off the ground, then hold that position for two seconds before returning to a …

Clinical Assessment Of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Pre- And Post-Surgical Intervention In A Division I Female College Gymnast: A Case Study, Emily R. Silva

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is defined as a lateral and rotational curvature of the spine with an unknown origin. Scoliosis is diagnosed based on age of onset and clinical presentation. Physicians measure curve severity by Cobb’s angle, which is marked on an x-ray. Participation is sports, which require compressive and tensile forces on the spine increase risk of back-related injury, including scoliosis or the progression of scoliosis. Sports such as gymnastics have been shown to increase back pain; although, studies have found some participation in gymnastic activities helps in strengthening skeletal musculature and respiratory musculature, which benefits patients diagnosed with scoliosis. …

Effect Of Aquatic Immersion On Static Balance, Talin J. Louder

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Objective To quantitatively assess measures of static balance and limits of stability (LOS) in an aquatic environment compared to on land. Methods Fifteen healthy, young adults (23 + or - 2 years) performed 90 s static balance trials on land and aquatic immersion at two different depths (greater trochanter, xiphoid process). Measures of 95% ellipse area and center of pressure (CoP) mean velocity were computed from the force data. Additionally, participants completed a visual analog scale (VAS) of perceived stability for each environmental condition. Following the static balance trials, participants performed anterior-posterior and medial-lateral LOS assessments. Results Significant differences in …

Comparison Of Vo2 And Body Kinematics For Three Cycling Modes, Andrew I. Miller

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Cycling research in a laboratory has an advantage of being more tightly controlled compared to field studies; however, consideration must be given to ecological validity for the results to be best applied to its target population and environment. This was clearly demonstrated by Jones and Doust (8) where they reported treadmill running to be metabolically lower (p < 0.05) then outdoor running at the same velocity and incline. Cycling research is often targeted towards high-level cyclists interested in understanding cycling physiology and improving performance. Therefore, research results are most applicable when utilizing methods that best mimic conditions of the target population while still maintaining the control advantages that the laboratory offers

Lactate Threshold: Land Versus Water Treadmill Running, Ron T. Garner

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Aquatic treadmill running has become increasingly popular for rehabilitation and training purposes due to decreased joint impact on the lower extremities, which is beneficial for special populations such as the injured, elderly, arthritic, and obese (Greene et al., 2009; Hall, Grant, Blake, Taylor, & Garbutt, 2004). Accordingly, researchers have compared key differences such as heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (VO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), stride frequency, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) between land and water running at maximal and submaximal efforts (Brubaker, Ozemek, Gonzalez, Wiley, & Collins, 2011; Rife, Myrer, Feland, Hunter, & Fellingham, 2010; Rutledge, Silvers, Browder, & …

Factors Affecting The Outcomes In Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Report, Laura K. Parry

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The purpose of this case study was to determine the effects of femoral nerve block use during total knee arthroplasty on the return of quadriceps activation and functional outcomes in a single patient. This case study focused on an individual case consisting of simultaneous bilateral knee replacement. The individual received a femoral nerve block in one knee and traditional anesthesia in the other. We considered the improvement in functional outcomes following surgery. It was expected that the femoral nerve block will delay the activation of the quadriceps muscle and the return of functional measures. However, the femoral nerve block will …

Validating Resonance Raman Spectroscopy: A Non-Invasive Assessment Of Skin Carotenoids As A Biomarker Of Fruit And Vegetable Intake In Children, Sheryl Swain Aguilar

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Background: Adult studies have found a strong correlation between serum carotenoids and skin carotenoids measured by resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS). No published studies have examined correlations between skin and serum carotenoids among children.

Objectives: (1) To validate skin RRS methodology against serum carotenoid measurements by high-performance liquid chromatography and (2) to determine if RRS skin carotenoids can be used as a valid biomarker of total fruit and vegetable (FV) intake among children.

Design: Participants were 45 healthy children age 5-17 who provided 3 blood samples used to assess serum carotenoid concentrations and 3 RRS skin measurements (using a Biophotonic ScannerTM) …

The Relationship Between Confidence And Performance Throughout A Competitive Season, Benjiman R. Skinner

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The importance of understanding how confidence varies across time has been encouraged by sport confidence researchers (Vealey & Chase, 2008). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between confidence and performance throughout an entire competitive season. Two levels of confidence consistent to team sports were analyzed. Team and coach confidence were collected through the Collective Efficacy Questionnaire for Sport (CEQS) and Coaching Efficacy Scale (CES) respectively. Two teams, women’s soccer and volleyball (n=48) from a college in the western United States, completed their specific questionnaires five times throughout the season. The CEQS measured collective efficacy (team confidence) …

Metabolic-Cost Comparison Of Running On An Aquatic Treadmill With Water-Jets And Land Treadmill With Incline, Ryan R. Porter

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Purpose: This study investigated whether running on a land treadmill (TM) at specific inclines corresponded to an equivalent metabolic cost (MC, oxygen consumption, VO2) using water-jets on an aquatic treadmill (ATM) at equivalent running speeds. Methods: Sixteen participants completed two trials on separate days on a TM and ATM. For each trial subjects performed eighteen, 3-4 min submaximal runs at three self selected speeds (slow, medium, and fast) with either water-jet resistances of 0-100% of maximum jet flow capacity in 20% increments during ATM or inclines of 0-10% in 2% increments during TM. Trials were separated by at least 48 …

The Capability Of The Functional Movement Screen To Predict Injury In Division I Male And Female Track And Field Athletes, Brent Matthew Appel

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Track and field, formally know as athletics, formed part of the first Olympics in 776 BC and was included in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 (Quercetany, 2000). Ever since the creation of this sport, sport related injury has followed. The inevitability of musculoskeletal injury associated with sports in general is well known amongst its participants, and the people who research it. According to the NCAA Injury Surveillance System, a sixteen year sampling period (1988 through 2004), recorded 182,000 injuries (Hootman, Dick, & Agel, 2007). Despite the risk for injury, people continue to participate in track and field. During …

Functional Rehabilitation Of Low Back Pain With Core Stabilization Exercises: Suggestions For Exercises And Progressions In Athletes, Joshua Johnson

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Introduction: Low back pain is very common in the adult population and accounts for more time lost from work than other diagnoses. It also affects athlete's at all different levels of competition and results in missed practice and game time. Diagnosing and treating a specific pathology is often difficult because clinical evaluation and radiologic studies are often unable to find a root cause. A popular treatment approach with a high volume of anecdotal evidence is the use of core stabilization exercise in the treatment of low back pain.

Purpose: To evaluate exercise as a treatment for a low back pain …

Moving Toward Culture Change: Defining Skilled Nursing Facility Residents Dining Style Preferences, Katheryn Adams

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Background Public policy fulfillment coupled with skilled nursing facility's desire to increase quality of service to meet changes in residents' expectations and improve marketability warrant a new look at culture change and home like dining as defined by the residents in skilled nursing facilities.

Objective The objectives of this study were to determine residents' home dining practices, define residents' desired dining style practices in the skilled nursing facility and determine the relationship between at home dining and dining preferences in skilled nursing facilities.

Design The quasi-experimental study started with a convenience sample taken from a facility generated potential participant list. …