Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Resting Energy Expenditure Using Indirect Calorimetry In Individuals With Moderate To Low Burns: A Pilot Study Of Associated Factors, Patient Acceptability And Comparison With Predictive Equations, Janica Bell

Theses : Honours

Background: Energy expenditure increases following a burn injury. The extent of hypermetabolism is dependent on a range of factors including burn total body surface area. Moderate to low burn injuries (< 15% TBSA) represent majority of hospital admissions for burn injuries however, their energy expenditure remains unpublished. While indirect calorimetry (IC) is the gold standard for determining energy requirements, less accurate predictive equations are often used in practice. Acceptability of IC from a burn patient perspective has not been published.

Aim: To describe the resting energy expenditure (REE) of patients with a moderate to low burn injury using IC; compare measured REE to predictive equations; and determine the patient acceptability of IC.

Methods: Demographic, anthropometric and dietary data were collected for five male and three female burn patients. REE was determined using indirect calorimetry (Ultima CPX) and five predictive methods (Schofield, Harris-Benedict, Toronto and the Ireton-Jones …

Short- And Moderate-Duration Static Stretching Do Not Decrease Vertical Jump Performance When Performed With A Complete, Sport-Specific Warm-Up, Alvin M. Goh

Theses : Honours

Background: Research has shown that static stretching may improve muscle flexibility as well as minimise soft tissue injury. However, recent studies have recommended the removal static muscle stretching from pre-exercise routines due to its deleterious effect on physical performance. Nonetheless, research has shown a duration-dependent effect of static stretching, with total muscle stretch durations < 45 s having little influence on subsequent sporting performance. Furthermore, some evidence indicates that muscle stretching may not influence performance when a sport-specific warm-up follows the stretching component. However, this protocol has not been implemented in most studies.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of shorter (5 s) and longer (30 s) periods of static stretching to dynamic stretching on vertical jump performance in sub-elite athletes when the stretches are completed early in a complete pre-exercise routine. It …

Assessment Of Static Balance Ability In An Athletic Pediatric Population, Cailyn Rogers

Theses : Honours

There is a large amount of conjecture surrounding the reliability of methods of balance assessment and the outcome variables used to assess balance in pediatric populations. There has also been limited research conducted on the balance ability of an athletic pediatric population, and the factors which may affect that ability. The purpose of this research is firstly to determine the reliability of postural sway measures used to assess balance including: average displacement of the centre of pressure in the mediolateral and anterior-posterior directions relative to both the centre of the plate and the centre of the base of support; peak …

Performing Successfully In The Heat At The 2004 Olympic Games In Athens: Which Active Cooling Strategies Represent Best Practice For Endurance Athletes, Marc Quod

Theses : Honours

Previous research using athletes has documented that precooling can improve endurance performance, especially in warm conditions. However, research comparing performance following different cooling techniques which are incorporated into a prerace routine is rare. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two precooling techniques on cycling time trial performance in warm conditions. Methods: Six endurance trained, regionally competitive cyclists completed one maximal graded exercise test (V0_2peak 71.4 ±3.2 ml’kg^-1min^-1) and four ~40 min laboratory cycling time trials in a heat chamber (34.3 ± 1.1°C; 41.2 ± 3.0% relative humidity (rh)) using …

An Electromyographic Comparison Of Neck Conditioning Exercises, Jemma L. Coleman

Theses : Honours

It is known that sustained muscular contractions can cause muscular pain, which explains the prevalence of neck pain of employees in static and semi-static work such as dentistry, sewing machine and computer operation. Additionally, exposure to high and sustained gravitational forces in high performance combat pilots is another source of neck pain in the workplace. Individuals with neck pain have been found to show decreased neck strength, in particular neck flexor strength has been found to be less than that of the general population. It has been suggested that neck-conditioning exercises may be useful in the prevention and rehabilitation of …

Examination Of Multiple Fatigue Models During Prolonged Cycling In Hot Versus Cold Climates, Chris Abbiss

Theses : Honours

Much of the previous research into understanding fatigue during prolonged cycling has found that endurance performance may be limited by numerous physiological, biomechanical, environmental, mechanical, and psychological factors. From the literature presently available, fatigue would appear to be task- and condition- specific. Studies demonstrating this, however, are limited. The purpose of this thesis, therefore, was to examine variables from multiple fatigue models concurrently to determine which variables were best related to fatigue during prolonged endurance exercise in hot versus cold conditions. Following a 100-km familiarization time trial (22°C) , nine endurance trained male cyclists ( VO_2max = 62.1 ± …

Validating The Use Of The Shuttle Walking Test In Healthy Adult Women, Micheal C.M. Lim

Theses : Honours

The Shuttle Walking Test (SWT), with its externally paced characteristics, is commonly used as an objective measure of functional capacity. The reliability and validity of the SWT has been previously shown but only in patient populations. No studies have been carried out to investigate the validity of the SWT in healthy adult women. Therefore, the primary aim of this test was to determine if the SWT is a valid field measure of cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy adult women. A secondary aim was to identify if variables, such as age, body composition and habitual physical activity influence performance on the SWT. …

Changes In Muscle Function And Motorneuron Excitability Of The Triceps Surae Following A Bout Of Fatiguing Eccentric Exercise, Mikala Pougnault

Theses : Honours

A reduction in capacity of the neuromuscular system associated with exercise can occur from a wide range of physiological and psychological factors. Many researchers have investigated neural activation during exercise, or the effects of muscle damage associated with eccentric exercise, but few have studied the prolonged effects of a bout of eccentric exercise on strength and motorneuron excitability. Eleven male and female subjects (aged 20-43 years) were tested to determine the effects of a fatiguing bout of eccentric exercise upon maximal isometric plantarflexion strength, motorneuron excitability, and neural activation of the soleus (SOL) and medial gastrocnemius (MG). The exercise consisted …

The Specificity And Sensitivity Of The Criteria Used To Measure Vo2max, Geoffrey D. Juranovich

Theses : Honours

The use of V0_2MAX as a measure of cardiorespiratory fitness is widespread throughout the fields of exercise physiology, physiology and medicine. VO_2MAX is described as the maximal rate of oxygen consumption during increasing exercise intensities and is defined by a plateau or levelling off of oxygen consumption (VO₂). Taylor et al. (1955) derived the primary criterion for a levelling off (plateau) of VO₂ at the end of an incremental exercise test to exhaustion to be a change in VO₂ (ΔVO₂) /kg/min during the final minute. This primary criterion has been widely accepted …

The Effect Of Cycling On Muscle Activation In The Running Leg Of An Olympic Distance Triathlon, Tamika Heiden

Theses : Honours

Anecdotal reports from triathletes highlight the transition from cycling to running as the most difficult due to the change from non-weight carrying cycling activity to weight hearing running activity. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of prior cycling on activation of lower limb muscles in running during an Olympic distance triathlon. Ten elite level triathletes underwent two conditions; a 40krn ride followed by a 2km run and a 10km run followed by a 2km run, at their Olympic distance race pace. Testing was carried out in the field with at least one week between tests. EMG …

Muscle Responses To High-Intensity Eccentric Exercise : A Comparison Between Untrained And Highly Resistance-Trained Subjects, Gregory T. Morgan

Theses : Honours

Eccentric exercise, which is when the muscle produces force as it lengthens, has been shown to result in decrements to muscle functions. This study was designed to investigate whether there was a difference between the muscle responses of untrained (n = 8) and resistance-trained (n = 8) individuals after a bout of high-intensity eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors. All subjects were males aged 18 to 45 years and recruited based on specific training criteria. Subjects performed l0 sets of 6 maximal eccentric contractions of the elbow flexor muscles on an isokinetic dynamometer. 10 seconds rest was provided between each …

Back Stress And Assistance Exercises In Extreme Weightlifting, Adam J. Beard

Theses : Honours

The purpose or this study was to test the suitability or selected assistance exercises to strengthen the low back for the Olympic lilts in elite weightlifters. Four subjects were filmed by a five-camera Motion Analysis system operating at 120Hz. The subjects completed both or the Olympic lifts (Snatch and Clean) at a near one repetition maximum and four assistance exercises (Bent-over Row, Clean Pull Deadlift, Romanian Deadlift, and Good Morning) at an intensity typically performed at a routine training session. Peak moments, compressive and shear forces about the L5/S1 intervertebral joint were calculated via a top-down inverse dynamics model. Comparisons …

The Participant's Perception Of The Contribution Of Lyengar Yoga To Their Health And Well-Being, Ann Dragon

Theses : Honours

To date little research has been conducted to substantiate the many anecdotal claims that yoga improves both physical and mental health. Berger and Owen (1992) demonstrated that yoga practice could enhance mood state. Mind-body exercise modalities, such as tai chi and yoga, potentially offer significant benefit in the areas of exercise rehabilitation and health promotion strategy (LaForge, 1997). Yoga is steadily gaining popularity amongst western culture with an increasing number of people participating in this mind-body exercise modality. Investigating the perceived contribution of regular yoga practice to health and well-being could uncover a number of positive 'indicators towards exercise adherence …

Changes In Muscular Power Associated With Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, Carmel Nottle

Theses : Honours

The aims of the this study were to investigate the effects of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) following downhill running on cycling power output and to determine the extent of any relationships between power output, strength, and DOMS. 12 active male subjects (aged 18-25 years) were randomly assigned to either a test (n=7) or control (n=5) group. The test group performed a 5 x 8 minute downhill running protocol at a grade of -7% and a speed corresponding to 80% of the subjects age predicted heart rate maximum. Measurements of isometric knee extension and flexion strength, peak and average cycling …

The Efficacy Of A 'Spacer' In The Delivery Of Salbutamol For The Prevention Of Exercise-Induced Asthma, David G. Reed

Theses : Honours

Salbutamol is a Beta-2-agonist, commonly prescribed for the prevention and reversal of Exercise induced asthma (EIA). The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of a spacer device in the delivery of salbutamol for the prevention of EIA Thirteen confirmed asthmatic subjects (10 female and 3 male), completed 3 exercise test sessions consisting of three treatments a) Ventolin via MDI (metered dose inhaler) and placebo via spacer, b) Ventolin via spacer and placebo via MDI and c) Placebo via spacer and MDI, randomly administered utilising a single blind, cross--over design. Following treatment, subjects completed an asthmogenic physical challenge …

Sense Of Effort Associated With Exercise In The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Karen E. Wallman

Theses : Honours

Investigations into the mediators of effort sensation have indicated that central mechanisms related to corollary discharges may be responsible for an increased sense of effort during fatiguing isometric exercise. The role for central mediators for sense of effort have been objectively demonstrated through use of contralateral limb matching tasks. Subjects diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) often report prevalent fatigue associated with a greater sense of effort when involved in exercise. This study employed a fatiguing contralateral limb-matching task in order to determine if CFS subjects (n == 6) experienced an altered sense of effort associated with the task when …

The Effects Of Concurrent Strength And Muscular Endurance Resistance Training On Strength, Endurance And Body Composition In Previously Untrained Females, Derek W. Gibbins

Theses : Honours

The number of females engaged in some form of sporting activity is growing rapidly, but many women still shy away from weight training because of their fear of excessive muscular hypertrophy and its accompanying loss of femininity. Because strength and muscular endurance play a vital role in most sporting endeavours, and weight training has proven to be one of the most effective methods to improve both attributes, any training regime that could achieve concurrent increases in both measures without noticeable increases in muscle size would be ideally suited to most women. Changes in strength and endurance resulting from eight weeks …

The Perception Of Effort During Muscular Fatigue And Recovery, Juan H. Svendsen

Theses : Honours

This study investigated how sense of effort is altered during fatigue in nine normal subjects. A contralateral limb matching paradigm was used in which the subjects nondominant (reference) arm was held at 20% MVC with force production matched at one minute intervals by the dominant (marching arm). It was found that matching force increased in a linear fashion with fatigue. It was also observed that EMG amplitude increased in the reference and matching arm and remained elevated during a 15 minute recovery period. As in previous studies strong correlation (r = 0.85) between rmsEMG in the reference arm and matching …

Central Fatigue In Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Peter A. J. Hope

Theses : Honours

Fatigue associated with activity is a normal response, seeking to prevent damage or conserve energy. Some individuals show heightened fatigue responses with no distinct aetiology. In chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), peripheral fatigue mechanisms display no apparent abnormalities, indicating some central mechanism. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to compare force, perceived exertion, electromyogram response, motor evoked potentials (MEP) and silent periods (SP) following stimulation in normal and chronic fatigue groups. Participants (n=l2) were physically matched and performed a sustained sub-maximal (20% of MVC) isometric contraction of the elbow flexors. There were no significant differences (p < 0.05) in elbow flexor strength or time to reach fatigue. CFS participants showed a significant difference in perception of effort at outset. Differences were also noted in MEP amplitude and SP duration (p

Is There A Difference In Cortical Representation Between Dominant And Non-Dominant Arm Muscles Of Elite Badminton Players?, Dylan J. Edwards

Theses : Honours

Training for sport involves the development of skill and coordination. The physiological changes associated with skill acquisition are complex and at present poorly understood. One of the areas in the central nervous system thought to be involved with skill acquisition is the cerebral motor cortex where localised areas are responsible for controlling specific muscle groups. Learning or improving a motor skill may require reorganisation of the cortical areas controlling relevant muscles to accommodate the new skill. To test this idea we studied a group of elite badminton players that were highly skilled in their dominant playing arm. Transcranial magnetic stimulation …

The Effect Of Eccentric And Concentric Training On The Size And Strength Of Human Skeletal Muscle, Haydn J. N. Mcdonald

Theses : Honours

The objective of this study was to determine if the high forces generated through eccentric contractions, and the subsequent damage sustained, contributes to greater growth and force increase in human skeletal muscle than other contraction types, and whether damage from eccentric exercise effects the increase in torque and muscle size expected after a progressive concentric strength training program. 20 healthy subjects were split into four groups which participated in 3 different training protocols, with one group serving as the control (C). Groups underwent either concentric training (CT), eccentric damage (ED), or a combination of the two protocols (DC) with the …

Eccentrically Induced Skeletal Muscle Damage In Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Cfs), With Reference To Overtrained Athletes, David L. Wright

Theses : Honours

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and Overtraining syndrome (OTS) are separate, complex conditions which have so many similar debilitating effects that it has led some researchers to conclude that OTS is a sub-condition of CFS. The purpose of this research was to compare the force and damage-recovery characteristics of skeletal muscle in CFS patients and control normals, after a single damaging bout of eccentric contractions in the non-dominant forearm flexors. The subjects ( n = 25 ), a convenience sample were assigned to three groups; [I] CFS + eccentric damage (n = 8), [2] Control Damage (CD)+ eccentric damage (n = …

Effect Of Exercise Induced Muscle Soreness On The Motor Control Properties Of The Biceps Brachii, Alan J. Pearce

Theses : Honours

The objective of this study was to note the time course changes for up to 28 days on the motor control properties of biceps brachii muscle following a bout of eccentric exercise. Eight subjects (5 male, 25-40 years of age) performed 35 maximal voluntary eccentric contractions with the non-preferred arm of the elbow flexors through 130° of extension of 90°s^-1. Voluntary electromyographic (EMG) activity and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) were recorded via surface electrodes placed over the belly of the biceps brachii muscle. Maximal isometric strength was measured at 90° elbow flexion. …

The Effects Of High And Low Repetition Resistance Training On The Force Profile Of The Rowing Stroke, Benjamin Tarbox

Theses : Honours

The effect of resistance training on the ability to generate force throughout the rowing stroke has to date been unreported. The purpose of this study therefore was to determine the changes that occur in the force profile of the rowing stroke, following low repetition strength (LRS) and high repetition endurance (HRE) resistance training. Eight female and 10 male sub elite heavy weight rowers matched according to gender, strength and anthropometric variables, completed 12 weeks of LRS or HRE resistance training. Pre and post testing was completed to determine changes in bench press and leg press repetition maximum (3RM) strength and …

An Exploratory Study Of The Development Of Perceived Body Image In Elite Female Artistic Gymnasts In One Central Programme, Michelle A. Saliba

Theses : Honours

Women's elite gymnastics is characterised by subjective and aesthetic judgement and together with increasing technical requirements imposes strict body composition and body image requirements throughout the international gymnastic community. Limited research has been conducted on the younger, smaller, leaner and almost prepubescent gymnasts who now dominate the International arena. The purpose of this study is to provide an understanding of the way in which current and retired elite, female artistic gymnasts perceive their own and the "ideal" gymnast's body image, and to identify factors influencing the development of these perceptions. Nineteen subjects were drawn from one Australian women's artistic gymnastics …

The Effect Of Prolonged Cycling At The Conconi-Predicted Anaerobic Threshold On Blood Lactate Concentrations, Michael John Newton

Theses : Honours

A study which assessed the validity of the Conconi test to predict the anaerobic threshold (AnT) was undertaken with 20 sport science students. The study involved the subjects undertaking three tests over a one week period. Each test was separated by a period of at least 48 hours which allowed the subjects time to recover. The subjects initially completed a Conconi test which attempted to predict their AnT through plotting heart rate against work intensity. Following the specified recovery, a maximum oxygen uptake test (V0₂max) was undertaken by all subjects. Following another recovery period those subjects who produced …