Smoking And Exercise: Mechanisms And Effects During Simulated And Genuine Quit Attempts, Stefanie De Jesus

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Cigarette smoking is a leading agent for premature morbidity and mortality among the global community. Most individuals surrender to tobacco use disorder due to the inability to cope with cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Exercise appears to provide acute relief. Currently, it is unclear how exercise attenuates these reductions. Furthermore, the available evidence has focused on acute outcomes besides smoking behaviour and is limited to simulated quit attempts. Three experimental studies were designed to address these outstanding issues. Not surprisingly, a bout of moderate intensity exercise was found in study 1 (chapter 2) to reduce cravings associated with a temporary period …

The Use Of Exercise Self-Talk By Female Adolescents, Sadie Puddister

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Already below recommended levels, physical activity participation in female youth is known to decline throughout adolescence. Self-talk, a form of self-regulation has been demonstrated to influence behaviour in both sport and exercise settings. The purpose of the present research was to explore the exercise related self-talk of teen girls (aged 14-18) with the intent of uncovering reoccurring themes and attributes in the self-talk of both low frequency exercisers (LFEs) and high frequency exercisers (HFEs). Participants were teen girls (N=28, M_age=15.56, SD_age=1.47) recruited from A. B. Lucas Secondary School in London, Ontario. Physical activity …

The Effects Of Consistent Exercise On Work Productivity Among Anesthesia Providers, Samuel K. Self

Doctoral Projects

Studies have been done that link various measurements of workplace productivity with varying levels of individual health. A thorough literature review examined the research to find any significant relation between regular exercise (as defined by the American Heart Association) and an improvement in workplace productivity among anesthesia providers. A Qualtrics survey was used to measure specific results regarding exercise activity and work productivity from anesthesia providers. This group included 53 certified registered nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologists. Descriptive analysis, Chi-square test of Independence, Fisher’s Exact test, and Cramer’s V test were all used to analyze the data. One significant correlation was …

Bed Rest And Its Continued Use In Women With High-Risk Pregnancy: A Review Of Literature, Irene De Los Reyes

Senior Theses

Bed rest is defined as confinement to bed and restriction of activity. In the clinical setting bed rest includes strict bed rest, strict bed rest in Trendelenburg position, bed rest with bathroom privileges, and up ad lib (Irion, Irion, Lewis & Giglio, 2012). Bed rest has been the standard treatment for over the past 30 years in preventing preterm birth and complications arising from high-risk pregnancy despite the lack of evidence to support its safety and effectiveness for the mother and fetus (Maloni, 2010). The purpose of this literature review and critique is to provide information about the adverse physiologic …

Effects Of 6-Week Squat, Deadlift, And Hip Thrust Training Programs On Speed, Power, Agility, And Strength In Experienced Lifters, Michael Zweifel

Health and Kinesiology Theses

The back squat and deadlift are common resistance training exercises used by Strength and Conditioning professionals to enhance lower body strength and sport performance. A relatively new exercise, the hip thrust, differs from both the squat and deadlift due to its horizontal loading pattern. It may, therefore, potentially impact sporting performance uniquely. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of six weeks of resistance training in the back squat, deadlift, or barbell hip thrust on jumping performance, sprinting speed, change of direction, and strength. Twenty-six subjects (n=26; age=22.15 ±2.2; height=180.17cm ±8.37; weight=87.27kg ±15.72) twenty males and six …

Correlates Of Awareness And Use Of The Hubway Bike Share Program And The Association With Weight Status, Lawrence H. Stahley

Graduate Masters Theses

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the correlates of awareness and use of the Hubway bike share program and assess the relationship between use and rates of overweight or obesity. Methods: Two-hundred, fifty-six students, faculty, and staff from the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMB) participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed an on-line survey during the fall of 2014 that assessed socio-demographics, behavioral and physical activity characteristics, Hubway awareness, and use of Hubway and personal bikes. Multivariable regression models were conducted to evaluate associations between socio-demographic and behavioral factors, and Hubway awareness, use, and the relationship with …

The Effect Of A Multiple Modality Mind-Motor Exercise Intervention On Single And Dual-Task Gait, Balance, And Executive Function, In Community Dwelling Older Adults With A Subjective Cognitive Complaint: A Randomized Controlled Trial., John P. Bocti

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Cognitive decline disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent, with older adults at increased risk. Combined exercise has been recently explored as an intervention to help to prevent the decline, however cognitive activation in combination with physical activity has yet to be explored. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to determine the effects of multiple modality exercise programs in combination with a mind-motor task and their effects on mobility and cognitive variables. A total of (n=89) older adults (55+ yrs), with subjective cognitive complaints participated in a multiple modality exercise class, three days a week over six months, with the intervention …

The Effects Of Ovarian Hormones And Exercise On Gene Markers Of Cardiac Dysfunction, Anisha S. Patel

Masters Theses

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in the United States. Premenopausal women appear to have better cardiac function and lower risk of heart disease compared to male postmenopausal female counterparts. Ovarian hormone loss influences blood pressure homeostasis and causes systemic inflammation, which may result in chronic stress on the heart. Two key physiological changes in cardiac dysfunction are reemergence of the fetal gene pattern and myocardial remodeling. Physical activity has been linked to improved cardiac function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ovariectomy on early markers of cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis …

The Effect Of Exercise On Emotion Regulation, Stacey Sylvetsky

Honors Theses

There is a substantial body of research on the effect that exercise has on emotion and on self-regulation. However, there has not been a great deal of research on the effect that exercise has on emotion regulation, which is crucial for normal functioning in society. Thus, this thesis investigated the relationship between physical activity and emotion regulation. Forty-five Union College students participated in the study. Individuals first filled out various questionnaires relating to physical activity and emotion regulation and then were asked to bike in the lab for a 20-minute period. Participants were randomly assigned to either the low-intensity or …

Effects Of Exercise And Pharmacological Intervention On Electromechanical Function Of The Heart In The Goto-Kakizaki Type 2 Diabetic Rat, Khawla Abdulla Al-Ali

Dissertations

Type 2 diabetes mellitus accounts for more than 90% of cases of diabetes mellitus. Cardiovascular diseases are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. A variety of diastolic and systolic dysfunctions have been reported. The severity of the abnormalities depends on the patients’ age and diabetes duration. The aim of the study was to investigate the age-dependent, exercise and pharmacological intervention on electromechanical function of the heart in the Goto-Kakizaki (GK) type 2 diabetic rat. mRNA expression was assessed in ventricular muscle with real-time RTPCR. Ventricular myocytes shortening, intracellular Ca2+ transport and L-type Ca2+ current were measured …

The Effect Of Run Sprint Interval Training On Diabetic Metabolic Markers In Prediabetic Adults, Kathryn L. Hilovsky

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Abstract

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to compare the effects of an 8-week run-sprint interval training (R-SIT) and continuous moderate-intensity training (MIT) on fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin sensitivity, and β-cell function in sedentary, prediabetic adults. Secondary outcomes of the study included anthropometric, body composition variables, and aerobic capacity.

Methods: Sedentary, physician diagnosed prediabetic individuals were randomized into R-SIT (n=7, BMI 36.76 ± 9.79) or MIT (n=8, BMI 40.59 ± 12.49) interventions. Subjects participated in supervised exercise three times a week and attended a Diabetes Prevention Program course, once weekly. R-SIT participants performed 4-6 x 30-second …

Leukocyte Responsiveness To Exercise In Hcmv+ Individuals, Jared Nicholas Wilson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: Emerging research suggests that the lymphocyte immune response during exercise is amplified in individuals who are positive for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV+). However, the responses of monocytes and neutrophils in HCMV+ individuals are unknown. HCMV, a type of herpes virus, infects 50% or more of the adult population in the United States. This virus can become a cause for concern in individuals who have a compromised immune system, which has been shown to occur after high-intensity exercise.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize the lymphocyte, monocyte, and neutrophil responses to exercise in HCMV+ individuals.

Methods: Participants were …

The Potential For Greek Housing To Shape Diet And Exercise Patterns: An Exploratory Intra-Greek Comparison, Anna Rose Riverso

Dissertations - ALL

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the differences in diet and exercise patterns in sorority women from campuses with different Greek Life structures. The goal was to determine if the centralization of the sorority through the presence of a chapter sorority house altered these health behaviors for any of the women.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to gather data from sorority members at two northeastern universities during October of 2014. Women created a one-week food and exercise record through the MyFitnessPal application for smartphones. They were also asked to complete a survey with questions regarding …

The Effects Of 12 Weeks Of Instructor-Led Yoga Classes On Balance In Older Adults, Patricia C. Hart

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Participation in a regular exercise program is an effective way to reduce and/or prevent a number of functional declines associated with aging (Chodzko-Zajo et al., 2009). Older adults are advised to participate in regular aerobic activity and practice muscle strengthening activities and exercise that maintains or improves balance (U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, [USDHHS], 2012). Less than one third of older adults engage in 30 minutes of low to moderate intense physical activity at least five days a week as recommended in current guidelines (USDHHS, 2012), and these guidelines fail to address losses in strength and flexibility seen …

The Effect Of Aerobic Exercise Training On Hepatic Glycogen Metabolism In Type 1 Diabetic Rats, Michael Murray

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if ten weeks of aerobic exercise training could increase hepatic glycogen storage in rats with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) and whether elevated hepatic glycogen content is associated with alterations in glycogenic proteins and insulin signaling. Rats were divided into control-sedentary, control-exercised, T1DM-sedentary and T1DM-exercised groups. Animals from each group underwent a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp at the conclusion of the study. Exercise training consisted of treadmill running at 27m/min, 6% incline for 1hr, five days/week for ten weeks. T1DM rats had lower liver glycogen concentrations than control rats and glycogen was not increased …

A Study Of Low Weight Bearing Exercise And Its Effect On Bone Density, Elizabeth Markle

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Exercise has been a proven key to maintaining overall good health. There are many benefits of exercise: improved blood flood and overall heart strength, stronger muscles, improved cardiovascular system and it actively works to prevent superfluous fat storage on the body (Bassuk, 2013). Among these benefits is also the improvement and strengthening of bones (Bassuk, 2013). Bone strength can also be referred to as bone density and is very important to a person’s overall health because it relates directly to skeletal strength, posture, factors that affect falling and consequentially the fracturing of bones (Mayo Clinic Health Letter, 2011). A higher …

A Community Health Program To Reduce Cardiovascular Risk In Women, Xander Bacchus

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among United States women. Regular aerobic exercise can significantly reduce CVD risk. This dissertation reflects one of the first studies of the efficacy of Community Health Programs (CHP) in promoting exercise among American women aged 25 to 65. Primary data used from a study involved a sample of 42 women aged 25 to 65 who attended a CVD and exercise-related CHP, while a 42-member control group merely received the CHP information in a printed form. A pretest was administered at the outset of the study, and a posttest was administered at …

Investigation Of Whether Sedentary And Physically Active Conditions Lead To Altered Gabaergic Signaling In The Rvlm, Maryetta Donna Dombrowski

Wayne State University Dissertations

Investigation of whether sedentary and physically active conditions lead to altered GABAergic signaling in the RVLM

MD Dombrowski, and PJ Mueller

Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI

A sedentary lifestyle is a major risk for cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease has been associated with elevated basal sympathetic nerve activity. The rostral ventrolateral medulla is a bilateral brainstem region that is an important for the control of resting and reflex control of sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure. The activity of these neurons in this region is tonically inhibited by the neurotransmitter γ-butyric amino acid (GABA). Interestingly, …

Does Exercise Reduce The Risk Of Falling In Parkinson’S Patients?, Michael J. Tansey

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not exercise reduces the risk of falls in Parkinson’s patients

Study Design: Review of three English language randomized control trials (RCTs) published in 2003, 2007 and 2010.

Data Sources: 3 randomized controlled trials published after 1999 were obtained using Pubmed.

Outcomes Measured: The Allen study used a Parkinson’s disease fall risk scoring. The Ashburn study used patient dairies to record incidence of falls. The Hirsch study used Sensory Orientation testing assessing the trials resulting in falls.

Results: Allen et al and Ashburn et al found no significant …

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.

Effectiveness Of Functional Electrical Stimulation Assisted Rowing To Improve Shoulder Pain And Aerobic Fitness In Manual Wheelchair Users With Spinal Cord Injury, Susan Wilbanks

All ETDs from UAB

Exercise is beneficial to adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) because of its ability to improve function and increase life expectancy. The goal of this dissertation was to determine an effective intervention for increasing aerobic fitness and decreasing shoulder pain in manual wheelchair users with SCI by identifying underlying mechanisms for shoulder pain, optimizing training and utilizing appropriate outcome measures. Three studies were conducted. The first study indicated that exercise interventions for adults with SCI are of low to moderate methodological quality, frequently using outcome measures associated with changes in body structures and functions, and not frequently examining effects on …

The Therapeutic Contributions Of Somatosensory Feedback During Exercise For Those With Parkinson's Disease, Matthew T. Lasswell

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Previous research has proposed that the somatosensory feedback generated during exercise is a key component in regards to the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of exercise on the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). This thesis aimed to further examine the contributions of different forms of somatosensory feedback during exercise in PD in order to understand the mechanism for symptom improvements that certain exercise studies report.

This randomized, controlled exercise study consisted of three treadmill groups, with the RATE and MAGNITUDE groups serving as the experimental conditions, while the CONTROL condition was an active comparator treadmill walking group. The RATE …

Primary Care Providers' Provision Of Therapeutic Lifestyle Change Counseling For Patients With Cardiovascular Risk, Tristen Jackson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease is important to the U.S. healthcare system, as it constitutes a high prevalence of deaths and costs the system billions each year. In lieu of this, research directed at preventative measures is important, especially those related to therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC). TLC represents a host of healthy behaviors, such as physical activity and healthy nutrition, that have shown to provide benefits in both preventing and managing cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. While public experts have advocated for physicians to recommend not only TLC for patients at cardiovascular risk but also to help …

Women's Fitness Week, Claire T. Lucas, Tiffany M. Finch

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project addressed women’s wellness. Many women experience physical and mental health issues related to a lack of physical activity or psychological support. Women’s Fitness Week was offered to women of the University of Akron and the outside community, providing opportunities to learn more about and improve upon the various dimensions of wellness – emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social/cultural, and spiritual. Events were held at the University’s Student Recreation and Wellness Center and encompassed topics such as nutrition, weight training, and self-defense. The goals of this project were to: increase knowledge levels of fitness, health, and wellness, increase …

Freshman 15: How The University Of Akron Is Affected Per Residence Hall, Daniel G. Mcquillen

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Students entering their freshmen year of college face a variety of lifestyle changes. These changes often include increased caloric consumption, increased levels of stress, decreased physical activity, and increased alcohol consumption. Because of these lifestyle changes, it is commonly asserted that freshman gain weight throughout their first year in college. A common expression used to describe this weight gain is the “Freshman 15,” which asserts that the average student gains 15 pounds during their freshman year. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to gather data regarding the on-campus freshmen’s diet and exercise habits. The data gathered was used to …

Effect Of Physical Activity On Perceived Quality Of Life Of An Individual With Cerebral Palsy, Julia R. D'Agostino

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Regular exercise has a variety of benefits. When incorporated into an individual’s daily routine, exercise contributes to better overall health, less stress, higher self-esteem, and decreased risks for secondary diseases. Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the motor control center of the brain, resulting in physical impairment. Individuals with CP have limited means of exercise due to physiological, mental, and emotional obstacles. By incorporating regular exercise into their daily routines, individuals with cerebral palsy may gain physiological improvements, emotional and social benefits and improvements in overall quality of life. PURPOSE: To determine the effect that regular exercise has on …

Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3Β: An Investigation Of The Novel Serine 389 Phosphorylation Site, Brendan Deegan Hare

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Stress associated psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder affect a large proportion of the population. Reductions in the complexity of neuronal morphology and reduced neurogenesis are commonly observed outcomes following stress exposure in rodent models and may represent a mechanism for the reduced brain volume in stress sensitive regions such as the hippocampus observed in individuals diagnosed with stress associated disorders. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-B may play a role in the neurodegenerative phenotype observed following stress exposure. GSK3B is atypical in that it is inhibited by phosphorylation. This inhibitory phosphorylation …

Physical Activity In Nature And Children's Mental Health, Stephanie Marcia Bless

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

The aim of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between children's physical activity and wellbeing, and if that relationship is enhanced by physical activity in nature. This study was a non-experimental retrospective multi-informant data review conducted at an outpatient pediatric psychiatric clinic in the Northeast. The theoretical framework used to guide this study was the Health Promotion Model, suggesting Advanced Practice Nursing investigate the relationship between health promoting behaviors and personal factors that support mental wellness in children and protect against mental illness. Data collected included age, sex, and exercise and wellbeing subsections of the Vermont …

The Effect Of Training Older Adults In Tai Chi And Compensatory Stepping On Balance Control, Hannah L. Moore Miss

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Abstract

Introduction: In Canadian society, there is a growing prevalence of older adults and one of the main problems facing this generation today is the risk of falling. Tai Chi (TC) is a martial art that has demonstrated improvements in balance control. It uses a series of fluid movements that engage head, neck and trunk rotation while simultaneously reducing base of support. In addition, it has been demonstrated that training older adults by administering unpredictable perturbations to challenge balance better equips them to react successfully in response to balance perturbations. This study aims to determine the potential balance specific benefits …

Bone Strength, Load Tolerance And Injury Risk In Elite Australian Football, Nicolas H. Hart

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

A paucity of research exists to characterise and investigate lower-body musculoskeletal characteristics and morphological adaptations in elite Australian Footballers with the aim to improve screening, monitoring and load management practices. Given the high prevalence of lower-body skeletal injuries in Australian Football; and the ability to measure, modify and train muscle and bone strength and their derivatives; this project served to extend scientific understanding of musculoskeletal morphology and bone strength characteristics in elite level field-based team sport athletes through a series of research studies using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (pQCT). In particular, studies one and two …