Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Beyond The Ring: Vegan Fighter, Bianca Silva

Capstones

Omowale Adewale, an amateur MMA fighter and boxer, spends his time outside the ring as director of Grassroots Artists MovEment (G.A.ME), an organization in the Bronx dedicated to provide resources to low-income residents like healthcare, access to healthy foods via means of gardening and youth incarceration prevention programs. He has been the director of G.A.ME since 2001 and routinely visits classrooms where he provides lectures on how to eat healthy foods-even incorporating vegan foods and implement after school physical programs like boxing where he occasionally serves as a trainer.

Exploring End User Experience: How Can We Achieve Lifelong Engagement With Physical Activity Tracking Devices?, Mohammed Karim Impelee

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Activity tracking devices provide biofeedback information and encourage people to be active, however, their long-term usage has been problematic. This study explored the theory of reinforcement techniques and the theory of self- determination to enhance long-term usage of activity tracking devices.

A sample of 43 people was surveyed to examine their experience with activity tracking devices. A multi-regression analysis demonstrated significant results(R square=71.6% Sig level=0.012 N=43). The result indicates how individuals with different orientations likely to perceive the supportiveness of their devices and how likely they were to continue using or stop using their devices. Conclusion: understanding the principles of …

Exercise Identity: Origins, Applications, And Future Utility, Vincent L. Liardi

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

It has been determined that exercise identity (EI) is a key component of the self-concept and is a strong determinant of exercise behaviours. The primary purpose of study 1 was to examine EI’s relationship with three key self-presentational variables: self-presentational efficacy (SPE), social physique anxiety (SPA), and impression motivation (IM). Specifically, we looked at how EI contributed uniquely to predicting exercise behaviour over and above these self-presentational concerns. The analyses demonstrated that EI is positively correlated with SPE and unrelated to SPA in both genders. Further analyses revealed that EI contributes a significant amount of variance towards exercise behaviour over …

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 …

Psychological Factors That Impact The Drop-Out Rate In Adolescent Sports, Nicole S. Mcclone

HIM 1990-2015

Children are dropping out of sport at alarming rates. With the highest numbers of dropout occurring between the ages of ten and seventeen, the focus of this research is on the drop-out rates of adolescents from sport. Athletic participation has been linked to positive academic performance, key development of leadership skills, and increased engagement in the community. The research that has been conducted related to sport persistence has had a greater focus on examining factors related to the physical domain. Attention is now beginning to shift however, and researchers are looking outside the physical domain and analyzing sport attrition more …

Effects Of Expected Service Life Exposures On The Functional Properties And Impact Performance Of An American Football Helmet Outer Shell Material, David E. Krzeminski

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to gain a greater scientific understanding of the changes in functional material properties and impact performance of an American football helmet outer shell material under expected service life exposures. The research goals are to (i) quantify chemical, physical, thermal, and mechanical degradation of an American football outer shell material under expected environmental conditions and (ii) develop a linear drop test impact protocol to employ expected on-field impact conditions to American football helmet components and a plaque-foam (i.e., shell-liner) surrogate. Overall, a step-wise progression of analysis was demonstrated to concurrently quantify and understand changes in …

The Effects Of Training Programs Using Free Weights And Free Motion Machines On Strength In Untrained College-Age Females, Katherine Milton

Graduate Theses

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Pass Completion Percentage And Perceived Player Workload In Ncaa Division I Women's Soccer, Alexa L. Passingham

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In an attempt to demonstrate the interconnecting nature of the pillars of sport (Hacker, 2000) this thesis explores the relationship between physical, psychological and technical variables. Five National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Women’s Soccer players were analyzed in four conference matches. The athlete's rate of perceived exertion (RPE) values were correlated to pass completion percentages (PC%) to investigate the potential effect that psychological satisfaction or dissatisfaction of technical performance has on perceived exertion ratings. PlayerLoad^TM (PL) values, gathered through the utilization of a Catapult Minimax S4 GPS device (miniMax-10 Hz, Catapult Innovations, Melbourne, Australia), were used as …

Molecular Mechanisms Underlying The Muscle Response To Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage In Chronic Cigarette Smokers, Nina Moore

Doctoral Dissertations

Smoking increases risk for musculoskeletal injury and protracts healing. The underlying mechanisms have not been explored, yet dysregulated inflammatory responses may contribute. To investigate these risks, Study 1 of this dissertation monitored typical responses to muscle damaging eccentric contractions (ECC) in smokers and nonsmokers. Smokers experienced greater muscle fatigue both during and immediately after ECC and greater delayed hyperalgesia, a phenomenon known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), than did non-smokers. DOMS (driven by inflammation) peaks 48h after ECC, when there is a shift from pro- to anti-inflammatory signaling; thus I chose to investigate this time further in smokers. The …

Physical Activity Levels And Health Of Passamaquoddy Tribe At Indian Township, Michael R. Best

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on reporting the occupational, household, transportation and leisure time physical activity of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township. This study also focuses on health measures and the presence of chronic disease and how they are affected by physical activity, risk factors, and other health related measures.

An interview-administered questionnaire, developed by the CDC, was given to participants age 25-44 years old, with one small change. The original Intertribal Heart Project (ITHP) questionnaire used a shortened version of the WHO’s Monica Optional Study of Physical Activity (MOSPA), in order to reduce the time it takes to administer the …

The Effects Of Fatigue On The Reactive Agility Test: Looking At The Difference Between Normal Game Play And The Hurry-Up Offense In Football Game Simulations, Kristine E. Walker

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of fatigue on performance of the Reactive Agility Test (RAT) by University Football players. This test assesses the athlete’s ability to change direction in response to a visual stimulus, somewhat like responding to the actions of an opponent in a game. Two fatiguing conditions were compared, simulations of normal game play and hurry-up offense in football. Methods: Following a warm-up and baseline RAT testing the athletes performed 10 high intensity, sprints on a specialized treadmill, with a 1:5 work to rest ratio to simulate regular game pace. This was …

Degrees Of Damage: Quantifying Male Vs. Female Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage Through Magnetization Transfer Ratios, Nicholai Michael Clausius Crawford

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

No direct, quantitative, and non-invasive markers presently exist to assess exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). However, magnetization transfer ratios (MTR), an emerging measurement quantified via magnetic resonance imagery, provide more direct indication of muscle integrity following EIMD. This study compares and correlates the temporal pattern of the MTR to alternative indirect markers of EIMD in male vs. female populations, and subsequently establishes whether there are sex differences in biochemical activity during recovery. The antioxidant properties of estrogen hypothetically minimize muscle trauma, maintain membrane stability, and limit swelling resulting in heightened tissue integrity and resilience to EIMD. Six males and three females …

The Effects Of Massage On Perceived Physical Soreness, Pain And Markers Of Inflammation Following High Intensity Unaccustomed Exercise, Courtney Lynn Crow

Master's Theses

Massage is often recommended to athletes to facilitate recovery and attenuate DOMS. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of massage on perceived muscle soreness and pain, inflammatory and immune markers, ROM, and mood state. Fourteen, recreationally active, women participated in a randomized crossover design study, consisting of 1) 60 min. full body massage following unaccustomed exercise and 2) 60 min. of rest. following unaccustomed exercise. Perceived muscle soreness and pain, active range of motion (ROM), mood state, along with blood concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), creatine kinase (CK), and neutrophil count (NC), was assessed …

Upper Body Posture And Pain In Division I Female Volleyball And Softball Athletes, Brittany M. Plunkett Castilla

Dissertations and Theses

Participation in athletics is a popular pastime and form of entertainment. Children often begin to specialize in one sport at a young age in an effort to excel, which increases physical stress and the potential for injuries. Athletes participating in overhead sports are at increased risk of upper body chronic injuries, in part because the shoulder is an unstable hypermobile joint. Posture may also be affected in these athletes because of the demands placed on the upper body. The purpose of this study was to measure the upper body posture in a sample of Division I collegiate volleyball and softball …

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Use In Collegiate Athletes, Brian Robert Davis

Dissertations and Theses

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are a class of medications used in the treatment of pain, inflammation, and illness. These medications are common, affordable, and easy to access. For these reasons, NSAIDs are commonly used by athletes of all backgrounds for treating injuries and as ergogenic aids. However, despite these behaviors, NSAIDs have well-documented side effects and the efficacious nature of these medications has been brought into question. Despite this, many athletes continue to use these medications frequently and indiscriminately. It is not known why athletes use these medications in light of their questionable effectiveness and cited adverse effects. Therefore, this …

Analysis Of Countermovement Vertical Jump Force-Time Curve Phase Characteristics In Athletes, Christopher J. Sole

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this dissertation were to examine the phase characteristics of the countermovement jump force-time curve between athletes based on jumping ability, examine the influence of maximal muscular strength on the countermovement jump force-time curve phase characteristics of athletes, and to examine the behavior of the countermovement jump force-time curve phase characteristics over the course of a training process in athletes of varying strength levels. The following are the major findings of these dissertations. The analysis of athletes by jumping ability suggested that proficient jumpers are associated with greater relative phase magnitude and phase impulse throughout the phases contained …

Relationship Between Concentric Velocity At Varying Intensity In The Back Squat Using Wireless Inertia Sensor, Kevin M. Carroll

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the Minimal Velocity Threshold (MVT) of 1RM and repetitions until failure testing conditions using the back squat exercise. Fourteen injury-free males with experience in the back squat volunteered to perform a 1RM and a submaximal (70% 1RM) repetitions until failure test, each during different testing sessions. Mean Concentric Velocity (MCV) was collected using a wireless inertia-measuring device. The last successful repetition in either condition was considered the MVT. A very small relationship between 1RM and repetitions until failure MVT was found (r=-0.135). There were no significant differences …

The Acute Effects Of Ballistic And Non-Ballistic Concentric-Only Half-Squats On Squat Jump Performance, Timothy J. Suchomel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this dissertation were to examine bilateral asymmetry as a factor of postactivation potentiation, examine and compare the acute effects of ballistic and non-ballistic concentric-only half-squats on squat jump performance, and compare the potentiation and temporal profiles of strong and weak subjects following potentiation protocols that included ballistic and non-ballistic concentric-only half-squats. The following are major findings of the dissertation. Squat jump performance may be acutely enhanced following ballistic concentriconly half-squats; however the changes in performance do not appear to be related to bilateral symmetry. Ballistic concentric-only half-squats acutely improve various squat jump performance variables at various time …

Differences In Muscle Activation While Gripping A Sandbag Versus An Olympic Weightlifting Bar 2015, Todd Luther

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the myoelectric activity of the extensor carpi ulnaris, flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor carpi radialis, and opponens pollicis muscles while gripping a 50 lb Olympic weightlifting bar to the myoelectric activity of the same muscles while gripping a sandbag of the same weight. Myoelectric activity was measured as the average root mean square (RMS) of the surface electromyography (sEMG) values. The hypothesis was that gripping a sandbag would result in greater muscle activation of the extensor carpi ulnaris, flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor carpi radialis, and opponens pollicis muscles than gripping an Olympic weightlifting …

An Investigation Of The Relationship Between A Static Jump Protocol And Squat Strength: A Potential Protocol For Collegiate Strength And Explosive Athlete Monitoring, Cody Haun

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between estimated absolute and relative squat strength and a static jump protocol with potential to provide desirable training adaptation data to practitioners in the field of collegiate strength and conditioning. Forty-one young (20.80 ± 2.44 years), healthy volunteers reported estimated back squat 1RM’s based on the most recent training block and completed a static jump protocol. Males (n=19, est. 1RM 141.29 ± 32.02kg) and female (n=22, est. 1RM 71.56 ± 19.64kg) jump data revealed large to very large correlations between squat strength, mean jump heights of jumps and other calculated …

Stability Of Isometric Strength Asymmetry And Its Relationship To Sprint And Change-Of-Direction Performance Asymmetry In Division-I Collegiate Athletes, Benjamin H. Gleason

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate the stability of strength asymmetry over a long-term period (1 year) and investigate the relationship of strength asymmetry to field test performance asymmetry in NCAA division-1 athletes. Isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) peak force asymmetry, ground contact time and finish time asymmetries on 10m sprint and 505 agility test performances were also observed. The impact of strength was also investigated in these studies to determine its effect on the magnitude of asymmetry.

In the second study, peak force asymmetry over a one-year period was observed to be a rather volatile quality, with ranges …

The Impact Of Training Loads On In-Match Soccer Performance Variables: A Position-Based Case Report, Garett Bingham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

It is critical to maintain multiple fitness characteristics during the soccer season through the use of training, but also to ensure that the training loads do not hinder subsequent match performance. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the impact of the training load on key physical performance variables in the subsequent match. Five Division I female soccer players were analyzed across six weeks of training and matches. Training loads in the forms of odometer, high intensity odometer, estimated odometer and sRPE were accumulated at time points from one to five days prior to a match. The accumulated training …

Comparison Of External Kinetic And Kinematic Variables Between High Barbell Back Squats And Low Barbell Back Squats Across A Range Of Loads, Jacob Goodin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study compared peak force, peak power, peak velocity, impulse, work, and vertical displacement between the high bar back squat (HBBS) and low bar back squat (LBBS). Six trained males performed each using 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90% of their recent training 1 repetition maximum. Dual force plates recorded force-time curve characteristics of ground reaction forces and four potentiometers tracked vertical and horizontal barbell displacement. Repeated–measures analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect for load (p<0.01) across all variables, but no significant effects for condition or interaction. The HBBS generated higher peak force in loads 20%–80%, higher peak power in loads 20%–60% and 80%–90%, higher peak velocity at every load, and greater vertical displacement at every load. The LBBS generated a larger impulse at loads 30%-90% and the HBBS generated more work at loads 20%, 40%, and 60%–90%.

Exercise Intensity And Performance Aspects Of Snow Biking Through The Use Of A Fat Bike, Kevin C. Phillips

All NMU Master's Theses

The aim of this study was to quantify, describe, and compare the exercise intensity and performance aspects of riding a fat bike, in a time trial (TT) format, on a natural earthen trail (ET) vs. on a groomed snow trail (ST). Eleven subjects, nine males and two females, participated in this two part study. Heart rate (HR) was used to quantify exercise intensity, examining average heart rate (HR_avg), and peak heart rate (HR_peak). In addition, a global positioning system (GPS) watch was used to assess time to complete the trail, average speed (speed_avg), and …

The Relationships Of Physiological And Strength Variables To Run Performances, Jana Hollins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Monitoring progress of athletes is an essential component of the training process. Collegiate distance running coaches often use field tests to assess progress because of a lack of time and resources to do laboratory testing. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the relationships between physiological and strength variables measured in a laboratory and field testing measures in collegiate distance runners. Collegiate distance runners completed a series of tests in the Sport Science laboratory at East Tennessee State University to obtain physiological and strength parameters, such as V̇ O2max and vertical jump height. The athletes then completed one of …

The Effect Of Protandim Supplementation On Oxidative Damage And Athletic Performance., Seteena Leigh Ueberschlag

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A double-blind placebo-controlled trial determined the long term effects of Protandim® supplementation on 5-km running performance, as well as on acute and long-term oxidative damage assessed by serum lipid peroxides (Thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances: TBARS). Thirty-eight subjects were placed into one of two groups: an experimental (675 mg/day Protandim®) or control group (675 mg/day corn starch). 5-km runs were performed at baseline and 88 (SD 4) days post-supplementation with samples taken immediately pre- and 10-min post 5-km run, as well as at rest ∼30 and ∼60 days during the supplementation period. There was ~25% week-to-week coefficient of variation of TBARS at …

Exploring The Fall-Risk Experience Of Masters Athletes Actively Competing In Sport, Dylan Brennan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The risk of falling increases in adults over the age of 65. Exercise can prevent falls. The motivation to partake in physical activity might be dependent on an older adult’s experience with the risk of falling. Since the majority of older adults are sedentary, experiences of masters athletes can provide valuable insights. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the fall-risk experience of masters athletes actively competing in sport. Masters athletes over the age of 55 (n=22) described their experiences in semi-structured interviews. Data was analyzed through an interpretive-constructive paradigm using inductive content analysis. There were five dominant …

Effects Of A Novel High Intensity Interval Training Protocol Versus Continuous Training In National And International Class Collegiate Rowers On Indices Of Aerobic And Anaerobic Power, Sylvie D. Richer

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this investigation was to compare 6 high intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions with predominately continuous training (CONT) over 11 days on elite rowers. Two groups (n=8) completed an incremental ramp test to determine Peak Aerobic Power (PAP), and a Critical Power test (CP). HIIT sessions consisted of 10 bouts of 10 s work (140% of PAP) with 5 s recovery, followed by 8 min of active recovery; repeated 6 times. 60 s power decreased in CONT (510±167–489±171W; p=0.02). CP increased in both groups (HIIT: 336±59-360±59W; CONT: 290±73-316±74W; p≤0.05). W’ decreased in CONT only (14256±7022-11303±7360J; …

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 …

Effect Of A 7-Week Rock Climbing Class On Physical Fitness And Performance, Justin Scott Cargo

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to assess changes in physical fitness and performance by rock climbing twice a week over a 7-week time period. Rock climbing is on the rise in popularity as seen in the rise of indoor climbing gyms and the increase in rock climbing competitions (Wall, C. B., Starek, J. E., Fleck, S. J., & Byrnes, W. C., 2004). Notably, the International Federation of Sport Climbing has held the Climbing World Championships biennially since the first event in 1991 (Schoffl, Burtscher, & Coscia, 2013), which emphasizes the importance of this research to apply to training programs. …