Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Examination Of The Monoamine Oxidase A Gene Promoter On Motivation To Exercise And Levels Of Voluntary Physical Activity, Erin M. Kinney

Senior Theses

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the genetic basis underlying voluntary exercise. Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) is an enzyme that acts on monoamine neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, to cause inactivation. There are several polymorphisms in the promoter region of the MAO-A gene, and these variations change transcriptional activity and the amount of MAO-A produced, leading to alterations in available dopamine levels. Interestingly, polymorphisms in MAO-A have been associated recently with physical activity level. This study sought to determine whether there is an association between motivation to exercise, levels of voluntary physical activity, and MAO-A gene polymorphisms.

Methods: …

Working It Out: An Examination Of Modern Exercise Culture As Displayed On A College Campus, Mary Bolgan

Senior Theses

When asked to describe, as simplistically as possible, what one believes to be the most basic needs for human survival, it is likely that a few concepts will come up repeatedly: food, shelter, and procreation. In modern times, barriers to these needs tend to be financial resource. However, this has not always been the case. In primitive times, a third necessity would be needed to survive, that being a certain degree of physical fitness. To obtain food and build shelter, our ancestors had to have a great deal of physical competency to be able to hunt, gather, build, and keep …

Disc Golf As A Public Health Option: Utilizing America's Natural Resources To Offer Low Cost Outdoor Exercise, Victor Martins

Senior Theses

This paper explores the appeal and growth potential of disc golf as a way to offer a fun and immersive exercise experience. In a time when the United States is a world leader in obesity, understanding issues like appeal, exercise motivation and accessibility are important as the country looks to redirect itself towards a healthier future. In order to understand what brings disc golfers in, a survey of player motivations across demographic groups was completed using a rated average system. In doing so, researchers gained insight and verification of the game’s appeal under the framework of previous public health and …