Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Physiological Demands Of A Division Iii Field Hockey Goalie: A Case Study, Kayla Brady, Sarah Miller-Richards

Student Scholar Showcase

It is essential to evaluate the physiological demands of the sport of field hockey, specifically of a division III field hockey goalie. There has been limited research on this sport, let alone on the position of goalies. Some recent studies have evaluated ice hockey goalies on their anthropometrics, upper and lower body strength, power output, and aerobic capacity. The purpose of this study was to examine the physiological demands and performance profile of a division III field hockey goalkeeper. A division III goalie went through several baseline tests including anthropometrics, resting and maximum heart rate, upper and lower one rep …

The Effect Of Nurse Staffing On Patients Perceived Care, Jenna Racey, Victoria Newman, Erin Wojtkowski, Jillian Crews

Student Scholar Showcase

In discharged patients, how do fully staffed units compared with short-staffed units affect patient satisfaction levels during their inpatient experience? From the literature review, it was found that as nurse staffing declined, so did the patient-perceived quality of care and their loyalty to the respective hospitals. Also, as the percentage of assistant nurses to registered nurses increased, the patients reported poor care and decreased nursing guidance. While more research is needed on this prevalent issue, a recommendation of how nurse staffing issues could be changed is to increase nurse staffing visibility, especially in units with poor reported patient outcomes in …

Cracking A Back Is Not Rehabilitation: A Comparative Analysis Of Chiropractic Vs. Physical Therapy, Lauren M. Radack

Student Scholar Showcase

There is an increasingly common belief among the general public that chiropractic care is more successful in treating injuries than physical therapy. Research shows that chiropractic care cannot be compared to physical therapy due to their different skill sets, knowledge of treatment, and applications; therefore, one modality cannot be determined better than the other. While the two domains are incomparable, individuals continue to feel pressured to select between chiropractic care and physical Therapy. Analyzing the influence of the false claims and misinformation that surrounds rehabilitation services, the belief that physical therapy treatment is able to be replaced by chiropractic treatment …

Annotation Of Hypothetical Genes In Lactococcus Lactis Ssp. Il403, Jennifer A. Tangires

Student Scholar Showcase

The human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) harnesses various microbial organisms involved in almost all processes of physiological homeostasis, among these are lactic acid bacteria (LAB). These bacteria, almost all of which belong to the order Lactobacillales, are able to produce lactic acid, and play an important role in food preservation because they produce bacteriocins. Bacteriocins are antimicrobial proteins that are used to fight off related bacteria in their environment that are competing for the same resources. This study focuses on a specific LAB strain, Lactococcus lactis ssp. IL1403 where 21.9% of its predicted genes have not yet been assigned a function. …

Protocols For Postpartum Hemorrhage, Nicole A. Mitchell, Wilbur Greene, Samantha Claxton, Lydia Lester

Student Scholar Showcase

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the protocols for postpartum hemorrhage and lack of implementation, how race may play a role in care, the different effect on maternal lives; physically and mentally, and more effective treatment options. Many women all over the world struggle with postpartum hemorrhaging as it is a life-threatening complication that can follow giving birth. There are standard protocols set in place for different facilities that relay how the healthcare professionals should act in that situation. The PICOT question, “In child-bearing women, how do protocols for postpartum hemorrhage compared with a lack …

Strategies For Combating Vaccine Hesitancy In Primary Care, Elizabeth Perkins Hayes

Student Scholar Showcase

This article will summarize methods for providers to effectively combat vaccine hesitancy in their patient populations. Vaccine hesitancy is a growing concern in the medical field, as new cases of vaccine preventable diseases arise. However, vaccine hesitancy is more common than vaccine resistance and can be converted into vaccine acceptance with effective communication strategies.

There is no easy solution to the complex problem of vaccine hesitancy. Most studies demonstrate that effective conversion to vaccine acceptance requires tailoring vaccine information to the patient and listening to their concerns. Other methods include exposing patients to survivors of vaccine preventable diseases, or using …

The Invisible Epidemic: A Concussion Assessment Among University Faculty And Staff, Emily R. Brown, Jacqueline D. Villanueva Arevalo

Student Scholar Showcase

Background: The present body of research is deficient, and institutions frequently lack defined return-to-learn policies for students who have incurred or been diagnosed with a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)/concussion.

Purpose: This research study aims to determine the level of knowledge and awareness university faculty and staff currently have at a private university in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Participants: 64 collegiate faculty and academic staff

Methods: A Cross-sectional, web-based Faculty and Staff Concussion Awareness and Knowledge survey was completed by participants, consisting of 9 demographic, 21 Likert Scale, and 1 multiple-option question.

Results: Initial descriptive and frequency statistics of the 64 …

Evaluation Of Concussion Assessment Tools For Collegiate Athletes, Jacqueline D. Villanueva Arevalo, Emily R. Brown

Student Scholar Showcase

BACKGROUND: Due to the increase in sports-related concussions in the United States, there is a rising concern about concussion assessments in collegiate athletes with regard to long term vestibular ocular motor dysfunction and post-concussion syndrome.

PURPOSE: Due to varying practices in concussion diagnosis, this systematic review analyzed three concussion diagnostic instruments, The King Devick, Screening Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT-5), and Vestibular Oculomotor Screening Tool (VOMS), to determine the most appropriate instrument(s) for reducing vestibular ocular-motor dysfunction and post-concussion symptoms in collegiate athletes.

METHODS: Nested Knowledge was used to identify articles from PubMed, Europe Pubmed Central, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. Key search …

Colon Cancer Screening And The Association With Colon Cancer Incidence And Mortality Rates In Ethnic Minority Groups, Jovonne Smith

Student Scholar Showcase

Colorectal cancer (CRC) continues to be a public health burden and is the second leading cause of American cancer deaths. Strides have been made in the medical community, and there has been an overall decrease in CRC rates. This decrease is primarily due to a cumulative decline in late-onset colorectal cancer diagnosis (LOCRC), defined as CRC cancer in adults over the age of 50 years. CRC continues to burden American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIAN) and Non-Hispanic Black individuals (NHB) disproportionately. The incidence and mortality rates remain disproportionately higher than other ethnic groups, and the survival rate is lower than …

Recommendations For Providers To Improve Quality Of Care & Health Outcomes For Patients With Tick-Borne Diseases, Kayla G. Hugate, Jennifer Hall

Student Scholar Showcase

Background: Healthcare providers lack knowledge about tick-borne diseases related to recognition, diagnosis, treatments, and communication. With the number of ticks and types of tick-borne diseases increasing, it is vital that providers know how to effectively diagnose, manage and treat a TBD patient.

Methods: A mixed method survey was implemented in 2021 with persons diagnosed with a tick-borne disease to explore their experiences with diagnosis, management and treatment. The survey was posted on TBD social media pages and sent through email snowballing. Thematic analysis was used to code results from three open-ended questions.

Results: A total of 434 …

Post-Intensive Care Syndrome Prevention And Detection In Covid-19 Patients, Bethany Sloane Melega

Student Scholar Showcase

COVID-19 has impacts on patient health beyond the hospital. The trauma that patients, and families of patients, can experience during an admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) can last long after discharge from the ICU and the hospital in general. The psychological and physical impacts of ICU hospitalization can cause patients to experience Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS). PICS is the culmination of symptoms that persist after a critical illness that involve all aspects of a patient’s physical and mental well-being and can significantly affect family life and increase recovery time. Due to the strict personal-protective equipment (PPE) usage …

Animal-Assisted Therapy In The Intensive Care Unit, Amanda M. Pugh

Student Scholar Showcase

This paper will explore animal-assisted therapy used in intensive care units. Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are at risk for developing an array of complications called post-intensive care syndrome, which can negatively affect patients’ psychological, motor, and cognitive abilities. While the widespread use of animal-assisted therapy in the ICU is still in need of improvement, studies have shown animal-assisted therapy can improve depression and anxiety, increase motor function, and strengthen patient participation in treatment. This is significant because the benefits of animal-assisted therapy can counteract the symptoms related to post-intensive care syndrome. The studies will be analyzed, and …

Evaluation Of Resting Metabolic Rate Between Sex And Sport Type Of D3 Athletes., Alissa Anderson

Student Scholar Showcase

Introduction: Sex, muscle characaterstics, and training have been shown to affect resting metabolic rate (RMR) of elite level athletes. However, there is little known about the resting metabolic rates of non-elite Division 3 athletes.

Purpose: Therefore the purpose of this research study is to observe differences in resting metabolic rate among different types of various Division 3 athletic male and female teams.

Methods: University of Lynchburg Division 3 athletes between the ages of 18-22 were recruited to have their RMR, body composition, and anthropometrics assessed . 4 athletes were recruited from each of the following teams based on sex and …

Acute:Chronic Workload Ratios And Positional Differences In Collegiate Men’S Lacrosse Players, Michael J. Phifer

Student Scholar Showcase

Positional differences in Acute:chronic workload ratios (ACWRs), distance traveled, and activity intensity throughout a season for men’s lacrosse players have not been determined. The purpose of our research was to determine if there were positional differences in ACWRs, distance traveled, and activity intensity in men’s NCAA DIII lacrosse players. We recruited 53 NCAA DIII lacrosse players (age=20.4 years, weight=81.6 kg, height=182.4 cm, Attack=12, O-Mid=14, D-Mid=6, FO=4, Goalie=3, Defense=14) from one team for our cross-sectional study. Sport Performance Tracking (SPT, Melbourne, Australia) GPS units tracked athletes’ACWRs (AU), total distance traveled (m), and intensity (proprietary composite score; AU) for every game and …

Parent Perceptions Of Athletic Trainers At The Secondary School Setting, Rebecca Lynn Natoli

Student Scholar Showcase

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Environmental Conditions, Core Temperature, And Hydration Status On Women’S Soccer Performance, Abigail G. Poague

Student Scholar Showcase

This study aimed to discover the effects of hydration status, core temperature, sleep data, perceived exertion, and environmental conditions affected the GPS-tracked performance of women's division III soccer players. The results of this study support the association between internal load, hydration status, and environmental conditions with external load.

Investigating Alternative Induction Of The S. Aureus 80a Prophage, Jody Caretti

Student Scholar Showcase

Widespread antibiotic resistance has quickly become one of the most concerning crises affecting modern medicine, especially in cases of Staphylococcal infections, which have become resistant to all ��-lactam antibiotics. As a result, research into alternative forms of treatment for bacterial infections is a top priority. Bacteriophage therapy is a popular candidate for replacing antibiotics, due to the way the viruses interact with the bacteria. The 80�� prophage integrates its DNA into Staphylococcus aureus strain 10616 via the lysogenic cycle, and replicates with the bacterial cell. When stressed, the bacteria stop replicating and the prophage stimulates the lytic cycle, activating transcription …

Tetralogy Of Fallot: A Clinical Review, Jacob Wooten, Joshua Bahos Silva

Student Scholar Showcase

Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart disease that is associated with structural abnormalities during fetal development 1. The incidence of Tetralogy of Fallot in the United States is approximately 3-5 cases per 10,000 live births and is considered one of the most common cyanotic congenital heart diseases 2. The exact etiology of Tetralogy of Fallot is unknown, however it is thought to be associated with untreated maternal diabetes, maternal use of retinoids, as well as chromosomal abnormalities 2. The main components of this disease state include a right ventricular outflow obstruction, interventricular communication in the form of a ventricular …

Music And Exercise On Brain With Dementia, Claudio Otero Iii

Student Scholar Showcase

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Head Impact Mechanisms And Type Of Play For Women’S Lacrosse Over 4 Years, Jessica Riquelme

Student Scholar Showcase

Context: Lacrosse is a fast growing contact sport, minimal studies have examined head impacts in women’s lacrosse.

Objective: To compare head impact mechanisms and type of play in women’s lacrosse.

Design: Descriptive epidemiology study.

Setting: Collegiate lacrosse fields.

Participants: 29 women’s lacrosse players (age=20.39±0.39 years, height=162.13+6.50 cm, mass=60.99+4.82 kg) participated over years. Intervention: Participants wore xPatch sensors during games and practices.

Main Outcomes Measures: Peak linear (PLA; g) and rotational (PRA; deg/sec²) accelerations of head impacts.

Results: Stick to head impacts occurred most often (IR=483.87, CI₉₅=397.30-570.45); whereas, head …

Comparing Men’S Soccer Head Impact Characteristics Over A Three Year Time Period, Karlie Ennis

Student Scholar Showcase

By studying head impacts over multiple seasons, injury patterns may be recognized which can lead to rule changes and other injury reduction measures. The purpose of our study was to compare head impact characteristics (impact location and mechanism) in men’s soccer over 3 years. We recruited 26 NCAA Division III intercollegiate male soccer players (age=19.64±1.25 years, height=181.70±5.80 cm, mass=76.98±10.19 kg) over 3years. X2 Biosystems xPatch sensors measured frequency and magnitude of all head impacts over a 10 g threshold. The overall male soccer player IR was 7.50/1000 athlete-exposures (CI₉₅=2.85-12.15). The most common head impact mechanism was ball …

An Anatomical And Functional Analysis Of Digital Arteries, Katie Highsmith

Student Scholar Showcase

Blood flow to the tissue of the hands and digits is efficiently regulated by vasoconstriction and vasodilation. Through a series of cadaveric dissection, we examined arteries in the hands and digits, including ulnar artery, radial artery, palmar arteries, and digital arteries, for their distribution (branching) patterns and morphological parameters (e.g., thickness, length between branches, external and internal diameters). Using data directly collected from three female cadavers as input variables to our mathematical model, we simulated vasoconstriction (-20% and -10% diameter) and vasodilation (+10% and +20 diameter) to evaluate the extent of changes in blood volume and flow within the arteries. …

Exploration Of Prostate Cancer Cells: The Significance Of Active Herv, Dakota Shepherd

Student Scholar Showcase

The second most common cancer in men is prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is traditionally diagnosed by a digital rectal exam. Blood tests can also be used to test for PSA (prostate-specific antigen). These two methods can be used together but can sometimes provide both false negative and false positive results. A new method of testing for prostate cancer could prove to be beneficial. Previous studies have shown that active HERV sequences have been identified in some cancers, including prostate cancer. We hypothesize that the presence of active HERV in prostate cancer lines is significant. In this study, rabbit polyclonal antibodies …

Mobilization Of Calcium Across Mineralized Tissues In Yellow Perch, Perca Flavescens, Taylor Bopp

Student Scholar Showcase

Bones in many higher teleost fish, such as percids and centrarchids, lack osteocytes that function as both chemo- and mechano-sensors, and thus, are not actively involved in homeostasis of blood calcium level. Nonetheless, the vertebrae of yellow perch, Perca flavescens (P. flavescens), living in darker and low calcium (Ca) water, have demonstrated adaptive modeling and remodeling of vertebrae to be more mineralized and thus enhance transmission of the axial muscle torque into the thrust force for the C-start predator escape behavior. The prey-predator interaction is expected to occur at closer range between prey fish and predator fish in …

Comparing The Incidence Of Head Impacts Sustained In Conference Versus Non-Conference Women’S Soccer Games, Courtney Acors

Student Scholar Showcase

Context: Investigating head impacts in women’s soccer has become of increased interest due to women’s soccer having one of the highest concussion injury rates among organized sports.

Objective: To determine frequency and magnitude differences in head impacts sustained by collegiate women’s soccer players during conference and non-conference game. Design: Descriptive epidemiology study.

Setting: Soccer fields. Participants: 24 intercollegiate women’s soccer players (age=19.65±1.27 years, height=165.80±4.87 cm, mass = 64.45±7.38 kg). Interventions: Game type served as the independent variable (non-conference and conference). We measured frequency and magnitude (peak linear accelerations in g-forces and peak rotational accelerations in deg/sec2) of head impacts with …

The Effect Of Previous Medical History On Student-Athlete Quality Of Life, Rachael Watkins

Student Scholar Showcase

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) assessments can provide Athletic Trainers with information about student-athletes’ overall well-being and health. The objective of this study was to examine the association between personal and family reports of medical history and HRQL in collegiate student-athletes. We recruited 271 student-athletes (age=19.00±1.15 years, height=175.18±4.29 cm, mass=72.29±12.03 kg). The independent variables included the presence of any family (parents, siblings, grandparents) or any personal history of balance disorders, psychological disorders, memory disorders or history of headaches. The dependent variables included the 9 subsets of HRQL (anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain interference, pain intensity, physical function, sleep disturbance, social roles) …

Functional Movement Patterns And Perceived Mobility In Collegiate Lacrosse Athletes, Christopher J. Rosenborough

Student Scholar Showcase

Context: The stress on the body from sport participation may play a role in an athlete’s ability to function throughout a season. The primary objective of this study was to examine the effects of a non-traditional lacrosse fall season on functional movement patterns for both males and females. Our second objective was to observe how collegiate lacrosse athletes perceived mobility.

Methods: Fifty males (age=19.38+1.24 years, height=182.63+6.16 cm, mass=82.37+8.46 kg) and 22 females (age=19.68+1.17 years, height=165.10+6.88 cm, mass=64.09+8.72 kg) who participated on National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III lacrosse teams volunteered to participate. Independent variable was time (pre, post). …

The Perception Of Head Impacts Sustained By Collegiate Baseball Catchers: A Pilot Study, Caleb Johnston

Student Scholar Showcase

Repetitive subconcussive head impacts have been studied in a variety of contact sports and have been found to impair performance in football, soccer, hockey, and lacrosse athletes. To our knowledge no one has investigated the frequency of head impacts in the sport of collegiate baseball. To date, athlete perceived number of head impacts and actual head impacts recorded during participation have not been compared. A sample of 3 baseball catchers from one National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III baseball team were studied.Our results indicated perceived game impacts did not differ from actual game impacts (t₂=1.76, P=.23; …

The Effects Of Soft Tissue Flossing On Hamstring Flexibility And Lower Extremity Power, Zack Maust

Student Scholar Showcase

Flossing includes wrapping a latex band around a joint or muscle group providing compression and partially occluding blood flow followed by performing exercises. Flossing is hypothesized to improve flexibility by dissipating myofascial adhesions. The purpose of this study was to determine if applying a floss band to the thigh would increase hamstring flexibility as well as lower extremity power. Our study included 21 active individuals(8 male, 13 female, 22.62±2.99 years, 171.52±9.08 cm, 73.57±11.37 kg).The participant first warmed up on a stationary bike, followed by hamstring flexibility measurement of supine hip flexion. After the flexibility test, we used a single-leg vertical …

Effects On Recovery And Neuroplasticity In Brain Injury Patients, Rebekkah Mclellan

Student Scholar Showcase

Abstract

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 1.7 million people sustain a Traumatic Brain Injury each year, making the topic of brain plasticity and patient recovery an important area of study. An added element is understanding whether biological, social, and environmental factors can impact the recovery and plasticity of the patient’s brain.The purpose of this literature review was to evaluate if the environment surrounding an individual who has sustained a brain injury affects their recovery and neuroplasticity. The databases used for the scope of this review included LC OneSearch, Medline, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar. Keywords included brain injury, …