Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Exercise And Preventing Dementia In Older Adults, Valerie Snelling

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Dementia is a devastating diagnosis for millions of individuals and the prevalence is projected to increase significantly in the next 30 years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019), there are over five million individuals aged 65 and over living in the United States with dementia. That number is estimated to increase to 14 million by 2060. The impact of the increasing prevalence of dementia is significant. Because dementia is a complex disease caused by over 50 underlying health conditions, finding effective treatments for the disease is difficult. This makes prevention of dementia extremely important. The purpose …

The Prevalence Of Cardiac Risk Factors In College-Aged Students, Katelyn Butczynski, Brianna Fox, Kristen Mccloskey, Katrina Redline

Student Research Poster Presentations 2024

Background: The impact of Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is typically associated with adulthood. However, its roots can be traced back to childhood. The transition from high school to college includes many lifestyle and environmental changes, which can lead to the creation of new lifelong habits. The college experience can contribute to the development of CVD risk factors with these new lifestyle changes. These risk factors lead to the development of CVD in adulthood.

Aims: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of CVD in college-aged students and identify their risk for developing CVD in adulthood.

Methods: The study was a …

Implementing A Health And Nutrition Program In Schools To Promote Healthy Lifestyle Choices, Justine Anderson

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Capstone Posters

y program aims to address obesity by educating faculty, children, and parents on proper nutrition and exercise to provide kids with the resources to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Students participated in groups incorporating fun ways to exercise, learning about food groups, creating food crafts with healthy foods, then trying those foods at their leisure. The idea is to expose them to new and/or healthier foods to expand their options for a healthier diet. Resources were also sent home for parents to give them fun activities to do at home that will continue developing their child’s knowledge and expand their palate.

Examining The Relationship Between Stress And Exercise Among College Freshmen: A Correlational Study, Georgia Smith, Shayla Heckman

Student Research Poster Presentations 2023

Scientific research was performed by conducting a survey. The survey was sent out to the freshman class of 2026 at Misericordia University. The objective of the survey was to compare the relationship between physical activity and stress levels. The students answered a series of questions related to physical activity in high school, college, their stress levels in high school and college, and their preferred type of physical activity. The results of the survey were then compared to peer reviewed articles to form a conclusion on the research performed.

Exercise Interventions For Relieving Anxiety Symptoms For People With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review, Kathryn Riis

College of Health Sciences Posters

Background: Clinical anxiety is a common comorbidity in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The focus of interventional therapies tends to be activities which improve gross motor function, communication, social interactions, and other behavioral skills. Certain forms of exercise have been successful in lowering anxiety levels while improving physical function.

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the effectiveness of the use of exercise as an intervention to reduce anxiety in people with ASD.

Methods: Two databases, PubMed and Medline, were searched utilizing key terms. This yielded 35 articles for review. PRISMA systematic search procedures identified 9 …

Physical Activity For Adl Performance In Older Adults With Dementia: A Systematic Review, Clancy Hesseltine, Josiah Heun, Murphy Porter, Sam Wyrick, Stacy Smallfield, Molly Whitlow

Student Systematic Reviews: Occupational Therapy

PURPOSE: An estimated 5.8 million people in the United States live with dementia. By the year 2060, this number is expected to climb as high as 14 million people (CDC, 2019). Performance and participation in activities of daily living (ADLs) is a primary goal of occupational therapy. Exercise intervention is an occupational therapy approach for individuals with dementia that will increase ADL performance (Giebel et al., 2015). The present study examined the effects of physical exercise to maintain or improve activities of daily living performance for adults with dementia.

DESIGN: This systematic review of systematic reviews examined whether physical activity …

Promoting Exercise In The Elderly Population Through An Informative Handout, Stephen Brand

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Physical activity has been shown to reduce risk of morbidity, mortality and prolongs life expectancy in the elderly population. However, many factors can inhibit one’s ability to exercise, including economic strain. Fortunately, a program known as SilverSneakers provides access to fitness centers and fitness classes designed for seniors which is included with certain eligible Medicare plans. This project aims to promote physical activity in patients aged 65 or greater who may not be aware of the potential access they have to local health clubs in the greater Southern Connecticut area.

Perceptions Of Physical Activity In Those With Visual Impairment, Derek Hendershot, Joseph Grasso, Steven Hernandez, Jonathan Buck, Maureen Rinehimer

Student Research Poster Presentations 2021

Background: Physical inactivity is a significant health issue facing the American population. This is even more prevalent in those with disabilities, such as a visual impairment. There is limited research into how persons with visual impairments perceive their own physical activity. We attempt to gain insight into this in order to better structure exercise programs for those with visual impairments.

Objective: To gain better insight into the perceptions regarding exercise and physical activity in persons with visual impairments in order to better inform healthcare and exercise professionals.

Design: This will be a 20 question survey study that will use convenience …

Validity Of The Actigraph Gt9x Accelerometer Step-Count Function In Adults With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction, Jonathan D. Kenyon, Hayley Billingsley, Natalie J. Bohmke, Danielle Kirkman, Salvatore Carbone, Youngdeok Kim

Graduate Research Posters

Low physical activity is associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Step-counts, a measure of physical activity, can be measured via accelerometry. To date, few studies have examined validity of accelerometer-derived step-counts in the adults with HFpEF.

PURPOSE To assess criterion validity of the Actigraph GT9X accelerometer step-count function in adults with HFpEF via ankle, waist, and wrist placement, compared with manually counted, directly observed steps.

METHODS Six adults with HFpEF (age: 57.2 ± 9.4 y; African American: 50%; females: 100%) completed a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a treadmill while wearing synchronized GT9X accelerometers on the ankle, …

Resources For Staying Active During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Peter K. Twining

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients find it difficult to stay active. Staying active when gyms are closed and school sports are cancelled can make staying active especially difficult. The purpose of this project was to compile a list of resources for patients to use to stay active and healthy at home during the pandemic.

Addressing Pandemic-Related Barriers To Fitness, Kyle Leonard

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Obesity is a persistent concern in Clinton County, New York. Over one-third of children and over two-thirds of adults in the county are classified as either overweight or obese. Obesity is associated with many adverse health outcomes, including all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, diabetes, and various cancers. Moreover, increased prevalence of obesity leads to increased healthcare costs for those affected, amounting to tens of billions of excess dollars spent annually. As a result of the pandemic, several fitness centers in the Plattsburgh area had closed for good, leaving many residents without access to fitness. Many of those residents had been …

Promoting Physical Activity In School-Aged Children During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Abigail H. Belser

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, children and adolescents are engaging in less physical activity and are increasing their sedentary behavior. These changes can lead to long-lasting negative lifestyle behaviors, which increases risk of health complications.

To ensure safety during the pandemic, guidelines have created restrictions on physical education and sports, which are both primary physical activity outlets for children and adolescents. Children and adolescents have to find alternate ways and resources to meet the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity daily.

An informational pamphlet was created to educate parents and children of current physical activity recommendations, with resources and ideas …

The Effects Of Extracurricular Activity And Physical Activity On Academic Success: A Literature Review, Braden Tanner

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

Due to an ever-increasing importance of education, it is important to understand how to foster an environment conducive to academic success. Extracurricular activity is one of many factors that influences the academic environment. This review examines literature published since 2010 concerning extracurricular activity's effect on academic success. Seeing that sports make up such a large portion of the extracurricular spectrum, the review also examines studies analyzing the effects of physical activity on academic performance.

Confronting Barriers To Exercise In Patients With Chronic Health: Community Health Improvement Project In The Lewiston/Auburn Area Concerns, Marie R. Lemay

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week, but most individuals with chronic disease do not reach this goal despite its numerous health benefits. Research has shown that scheduled exercise programs and exercise partners help individuals to sustain their exercise goals. Using this premise of group mentality individuals affected from cancer at the Dempsey center and patients attending CMMC’s diabetes group in Lewiston ME were polled about exercise self –efficacy and barriers to exercise. Subsequently, a one-time walking event was offered to the diabetes group and a phone-tree was introduced to one yoga class at …

Promoting Physical Activity Using Walking Poles In Senior Citizens Of Southern Vermont's Deerfield Valley Region, Siyeon A. Seong

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Walking poles have been shown to be beneficial in increasing physical activity and improving functional outcomes. Walking poles have been recommended during patient encounters using an informational pamphlet at Deerfield Valley Health Center in Wilmington, VT.

The Relationship Between Exercise And Depression And Anxiety In College Students, Joshua Frank, Dr. Amy Adkins, Nathan Thomas, Dr. Danielle Dick

Undergraduate Research Posters

The literature shows an inverse association between exercise and mental disorders. The aim of this study is to further elaborate on this association with regards to exercise and its relationship with anxiety and depression in a college sample. The subject group focused on seniors in the Spit for Science data set which incorporated a total of 821 students. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to estimate the overall metabolic equivalents (MET’s) each student spent in walking, moderate, or vigorous activity levels in the previous week. Sum scores were used to measure depression and anxiety. Overall,the …

Online Summer Activity Tracker For Teens, Jamie E. Richter

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

To address teenage obesity by encouraging physical activity and making teens aware of time spent in passive activities. Teens will be able to log onto an interactive web site to track their physical activity and earn raffle entries for reaching fitness goals. Teens will also be asked to track their computer and TV time to make them more aware of how much time they spend in these passive activities.