Recreational Therapy Commons^™

Embodied Aging: Older Adults’ Gendered Participation In Physical And Recreational Activity In Assisted Living, Gavin Anderson

Self-Designed Majors Honors Papers

This study examines how older adults interpret their experiences with physical and recreational activity in assisted living, and how these interpretations influence how they engage in their everyday social and physical contexts. In the fall of 2025, eleven older adults—nine women and two men—living in an assisted living facility in a coastal city in Southeastern Connecticut participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews. The facility provides both short-term post-acute care and long-term residential care, offering structured opportunities for physical and recreational engagement.

Past research demonstrates that participation in physical and recreational activity provides substantial benefits for older adults; yet, the lived experience …

The Effect Of Long Covid Syndrome On Physical Activity, Patrisha Hanna Villarmea

Master of Science in Kinesiology

Long covid syndrome is a condition where individuals experience persistent symptoms and functional limitations that can last about three months to two years after the initial Covid-19 infection. While long-term health consequences of Covid-19 have garnered significant attention,the impact of long covid syndrome symptoms is poorly understood. The purpose of the study is to explore the effect of long covid syndrome symptoms to an individual’s physical activity. Furthermore, this research aims to provide an overview of the existing literature on the effect of long covid syndrome symptoms on physical activity. The research would invite participants to answer two surveys that …

Effects Of Physical Activity, Play And Mindfulness-Based Interventions On Emotional Regulation And Emotional Awareness Skills In Adults With Developmental Disabilities At A Day-Time Assistance Program, Aaron Arndt

OT Student Capstones

Background: According to literature, deficiencies in emotional regulation and emotional awareness skills are more prevalent among adults diagnosed with developmental disabilities. Limited research shows promising support that the use of noninvasive treatments such as exercise, and play can promote emotional well-being among this population. This project aims to better understand the benefits of physical activity, play, and mindfulness-based interventions on emotional regulation skills in adults with developmental disabilities who attend a day-time assistance program.

Method: This 14-week capstone project was conducted at Lauren’s Institute for Education’s Adult Day Treatment (DTA) program. The occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) student developed and implemented …

A Comparison Of The Magnitude Of The Mental Health Benefits Of Exercising Outdoors Vs Exercising Indoors: A Review, Greta M. Rueschmann

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Many people in the United States suffer from poor mental health which can lead to suicide, self-harm, or negative effects on job performance and relationships. Not everyone can afford traditional therapy nor feels comfortable with it. With a greater emphasis placed on taking care of one’s mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, there should also be a greater emphasis placed on finding alternative types of therapy that can be matched to individuals based on their personalities and preferences. One such alternative is outdoor exercise. This review was conducted to examine whether exercising or performing physical activity outdoors results in greater …

Exercise And Lifestyle Physical Activity Recommendations For People With Multiple Sclerosis Throughout The Disease Course, Rosalind Kalb, Theodore R. Brown, Susan Coote, Kathleen Costello, Ulrik Dalgas, Eric Garmon, Barbara Geisser, June Halper, Herb Karpatkin, Jennifer Keller, Alexander V. Ng, Lara A. Pilutti, Amanda Rohring, Paul Van Asch, Kathleen Zachowski, Robert W. Motl

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Objectives:

To provide clinicians who treat multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with evidence-based or expert opinion–based recommendations for promoting exercise and lifestyle physical activity across disability levels.

Methods:

The National MS Society (“Society”) convened clinical and research experts in the fields of MS, exercise, rehabilitation, and physical activity to (1) reach consensus on optimal exercise and lifestyle physical activity recommendations for individuals with MS at disability levels 0–9.0 on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and (2) identify and address barriers/facilitators for participation.

Recommendations:

Based on current evidence and expert opinion, the Society makes the following recommendations, endorsed by the Consortium …

Greater Fatigue Resistance Of Dorsiflexor Muscles In People With Prediabetes Than Type 2 Diabetes, Jonathon Senefeld, Lynette A. Singh-Peters, Kenji A. Kenno, Sandra K. Hunter, Jennifer M. Jakobi

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Although exercise can prevent progression to T2D among people with prediabetes, little is known about fatigue during exercise in people with prediabetes compared to T2D. The purpose of the study was to compare the magnitude and mechanisms of fatigability of the ankle dorsiflexor muscles between people with prediabetes and T2D. Ten people with prediabetes (6 females, 51.7 ± 6.9 years) and fourteen with T2D (6 females, 52.6 ± 6.2 years) who were matched for age, body mass index and physical activity performed an intermittent (6 s contraction: 4 s relaxation) fatiguing task at 75% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) with the …

Determinants Of Low Bone Mineral Density In People With Multiple Sclerosis: Role Of Physical Activity, Brice T. Cleland, Paula E. Papanek, Benjamin A. Ingraham, April L. Harkins, Mauricio Garnier-Villarreal, Douglas Woo, Mary Ellen Csuka, Alexander V. Ng

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Background

People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) have reduced bone mineral density (BMD), but the causes are unclear. Some factors that may cause reduced BMD in PwMS have been understudied, including physical activity, inflammation, cortisol, symptomatic fatigue, and depression. The aim of this study was to investigate factors that may uniquely contribute to reduced BMD in PwMS as compared to people without MS. We hypothesized that physical activity would be the primary determinant of low BMD in PwMS, with additional contributions from inflammation and sympathetic nervous system activation.

Methods

We tested 23 PwMS (16 women; median EDSS: 2) and 22 control …

Differential Effects Of Aging And Physical Activity On Corticospinal Excitability Of Upper And Lower Limb Muscles, Vianney Rozand, Jonathon William Senefeld, Christopher W. Sundberg, Ashleigh E. Smith, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Corticospinal tract excitability can be altered by age, physical activity (PA), and possibly sex, but whether these effects differ between upper and lower limb muscles is unknown. We determined the influence of age, PA, and sex on corticospinal excitability of an upper limb and a lower limb muscle during submaximal contractions by comparing stimulus-response curves of motor evoked potentials (MEPs). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to evoke stimulus-response curves in active muscles by incrementally increasing the stimulator intensity from below the active motor threshold (AMT) until a plateau in MEP amplitudes was achieved. Stimulus-response curves were analyzed from the …

Ballroom Dance For Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Feasibility Study, Alexander V. Ng, Sheri Bunyan, Jimin Suh, Pamela Huenink, Tyler Gregory, Shannon Gambon, Deborah Miller

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the exercise intensity and feasibility of recreational ballroom dance for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: Seven persons with MS participated in 2 one-hour dance sessions per week for 6 weeks. Dance types included rumba, foxtrot, waltz, and push-pull. Six other persons with MS comprised a control group that did not dance. Heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were monitored during the sessions. Outcomes included: quality of life, fatigue, depression, self-efficacy, timed up and go, Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index and the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite comprising 9-hole …

Physical Activity And Annual Medical Outlay In U.S. Colorectal, Breast And Prostate Cancer Survivors, Alice F. Yan, Yang Wang, Alexander V. Ng

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Multiple chronic conditions in cancer survivors are highly prevalent and may increase health care costs for both patients and the health care system. Studies of cancer survivors reveal positive effects of physical activity (PA) on reducing risk of cancer recurrence, other chronic conditions, and secondary cancer. Few nationally representative studies have examined how physical activity levels have affected survivors' annual economic burden in the United States.

Leisure-time physical activity data from the National Health Interview Survey was linked to health care expenditure data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (2008–2012). We calculated per-person annual total medical expenditures for identified …

Physical Activity Modulates Corticospinal Excitability Of The Lower Limb In Young And Old Adults, Hamidollah Hassanlouei, Christopher W. Sundberg, Ashleigh E. Smith, Andrew Kuplic, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Aging is associated with reduced neuromuscular function, which may be due in part to altered corticospinal excitability. Regular physical activity (PA) may ameliorate these age-related declines, but the influence of PA on corticospinal excitability is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of age, sex, and PA on corticospinal excitability by comparing the stimulus-response curves of motor evoked potentials (MEP) in 28 young (22.4 ± 2.2 yr; 14 women and 14 men) and 50 old adults (70.2 ± 6.1 yr; 22 women and 28 men) who varied in activity levels. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to …

Comparison Of Affect And Cardiorespiratory Training Responses Between Structured Gym Activities And Traditional Aerobic Exercise In Children., David A. White, S D. Rothenberger, L A. Hunt, F L. Goss

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Physical activities (PA) that are pleasurable are likely to be repeated. Structured gym activities (SGA) are defined as dodging, chasing, and fleeing games. Traditional aerobic exercises (TAE) are defined as treadmill, cycle ergometer, and elliptical exercise. The purpose of this investigation was to compare affect and cardiorespiratory training responses between SGA and TAE in children. Thirty-two participants (9.3±0.2) were randomized to either the SGA or TAE group. Exercise training was seven weeks, with two sessions per week, for 35 minutes per session. Affect was measured by the (+5 (pleasurable) to -5 (displeasurable)) feelings scale. Affect was recorded at the mid-point …