Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Accuracy Of Recreational Athletes In Self Detecting Ventilation Threshold During A Maximal Exercise Test, Andrew Biegner

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

INTRODUCTION: Ventilatory threshold (VT) is where minute ventilation (VE) increases nonlinearly with increasing exercise intensity. Prior studies have shown that subjects can recognize VT by changes in breathing during exercise. Teaching recreational athletes to use VT as a training method could result in better quality training. PURPOSE: Determine if recreational athletes can accurately perceive changes in ventilation associated with VT during maximal exercise testing. METHODS: Subjects were recruited (n=20, age= 20.5 ± 1.7 yrs.) to participate in the study. Subjects performed a modified maximal treadmill protocol with gas analysis. Subjects indicated when they noticed a considerable change …

The Effects Of Exercise On Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Julia Hofacker

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This Honors Research Project will look at the impact of various types of exercise on the speech, language, and behavior of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. The goal of this research project is to determine how exercise can be implemented into speech and therapy programs in order to better improve the communication skills of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. To accomplish this, recent studies and publications will be analyzed to compare traditional therapy methods and therapy methods that include exercise. These studies will provide data on how various types of exercise impacted adolescents with autism spectrum disorder speech, language, behavior, …

Impact Of Covid-19 On Ohio's National Parks Visitation, Ryan Grzeschik

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the way in which society operates in order to get the novel disease under control. Businesses throughout the United States have had to close or reduce provided services, stay at home orders have secluded many people, and social distancing limits contact between others so many are turning to the parks system to cope with these changes. This study aims to find how the visitation of national parks in Ohio have been affected through the first six months of the pandemic. Visitation statistics were compared from March to August of 2020 to those same months …

Effect Of Exercise On Blood Pressure And Body Mass Index In At-Risk Populations, Jared Crum, Victoria Patterson, Riley Jarvis

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Higher blood pressure and basal metabolic rate (BMI) are health problems in the United States (U.S.), but particularly in high risk minority populations, in part because of limited access to adequate resources to help themselves become healthier. This Honors Paper aimed to examine the effect of an exercise intervention on blood pressure and BMI in high risk minority populations. The honors project is a part of the Finding A Better You (FABU) project by College of Health Profession faculty Dr. Murrock, Dr. MacCracken, and Dr. Juvancic-Heltzel. The FABU project assessed at risk individuals (lower income older adults) in Summit County …

Demographics And Physical Activity Levels Of Esports Athletes At The University Of Akron, Madison Morgan, Patrick Barrett, Madeleine Stoll

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Esports is rapidly growing and gaining popularity, however there is a lack of research regarding physical activity levels of eSport athletes, especially those at the collegiate level. This study summarizes the current research and findings related to exercise, overall health, and video game performance. All varsity eSport athletes for The University of Akron varsity team were “participants” in this study. A survey tool was designed through Qualtrics (Qualtrics 2020© Provo, UT), an online survey instrument, to assess current physical activity levels, preferences and tolerance for exercise intensity, and perceptions about how physical activity affects gaming performance. This survey was distributed …

Exercise And Physical Activity In Individuals With Type 1 Diabetes, Shelby Fisher

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This paper will investigate, describe, and discuss the challenges that youth and adult athletes with Type 1 Diabetes face in order to successfully perform in sports while maintaining their health treatment goals. This paper will also describe how these challenges are overcome and this paper will share individual experiences from both adults and youth who have Type 1 Diabetes. This paper will describe meal management with sport, blood glucose monitoring with sport, medication management with sport, and interaction with the healthcare team and the athlete. This paper will also investigate the school personnel’s involvement in regard to assisting the athlete …

Exploring Female University Students’ Views Of Campus Engagement In Chaarg, Lia Giffels

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

There are positive benefits to group exercise, such as motivation and improved performance. However, strength training poses a gender disparity, with less participation among females. Changing Health, Attitudes, + Actions to Recreate Girls (CHAARG) is a student organization to empower females to reach health goals by participating in a comprehensive fitness program. Purpose: This investigation explores female college students’ views of their experience in CHAARG. Understanding how to engage more women in strength training and healthy lifestyles may fuel increased adherence rates. Methods: Q methodology will be used to investigate the viewpoints of female students’ members in a large Midwest …

Effects Of A Strength Training Intervention And Quality Of Life: Case Study On A Sedentary Adult Female, Lucas Frazier

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of the project is to evaluate physiological and quality of life changes in a

sedentary, senior-aged (55 or older) female using a six-week strength training

intervention. This case study will instruct how to perform a push-pull-legs split

routine by going to the gym three times per week. Prior to the six week intervention,

both quantitative and qualitative variables will be collected to assess baseline data,

including the subject’s resting heart rate, resting blood pressure, grip strength, one-

repetition maximum on seven whole body exercises (dumbbell bicep curl, tricep

pushdown, barbell bench press, wide-grip lat pull-down, seated dumbbell press, …

Comparison Of Physiological Adaptations In Highly Trained Aerobic Endurance Athletes And Highly Trained Resistance Athletes, Sarah Falbo

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To compare the physiological differences between highly trained resistance and aerobic athletes (who perform five or more hours per week of resistance or aerobic exercise).

Methods: Participants had resting heart rate, blood pressure and lactate taken before entering the BOD POD to get body fat percentage. Then a five minute warm up on a cycle ergometer before doing the VO2 max treadmill test following the Bruce Protocol. At the completion of the VO2 max treadmill test, participants had heart rate recorded from the heart rate monitor, blood pressure and lactate were taken immediately after the max test. The …

A Comparison Of Changes In Women's Cardiovascular Fitness And Body Composition After Performance In Zumba, Tabata, And Cycling, Kristi N. Kester

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Aerobic group exercise is important to prevent against cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic diseases. Regular exercise can help to reduce the risk of these diseases and premature death. Group exercise classes have shown to be effective in reducing weight, blood pressure, and body composition Further research is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of these aerobic group exercise classes to one another. PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the potential health benefits that may occur for women who participate in regular group exercise classes at the Kohl Family YMCA. METHODS: A surrey and body measurements were taken of females enrolled an eight-week aerobic …

Stress And Exercise In Undergraduate Health Professions Students, Kristin R. Weismantel, Meghan G. Brickner, Leah N. Rosler

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Background: Stress is prevalent among undergraduate students, especially students in health professions majors. Exercise as a health promoting behavior decreases stress. At the same time, increased stress may decrease exercise. This study described exercise and stress among undergraduate health professions students. More specifically this study described the intensity and duration of each exercise and the frequency of exercise during a typical week of the semester for students in health professions majors.

Theoretical framework: Pender’s Health Promotion Model guided this study.

Design: Cross-sectional, descriptive survey.

Methods: A convenience sample of 437 undergraduate students in a college of health professions (N =2,700) …

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 …