Sports Sciences Commons^™

Physiological, Cognitive, Behavioral, And Perceptual Contributors To Falls Risk Across Middle And Older Adulthood, Jacquelyn Moxey

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Falls are multifactorial events influenced by physiological, cognitive, behavioral, and perceptual factors. Although falls prevention research has traditionally focused on older adults and objectively measured physical impairments, less is known about how cognitive performance, physical activity, and perceptions of ability collectively contribute to falls risk vulnerability across middle and older adulthood. This dissertation examined these relationships through three complementary studies.

Study 1 examined associations between cognitive screening performance and physiological falls risk in 315 community-dwelling older adults. Lower global cognitive performance was associated with greater physiological falls risk. Performance on items reflecting attention and visuospatial/executive function demonstrated the strongest domain-level …

Complex Tandem Gait Performance In Collegiate Athletes With And Without A History Of Concussion, Irenia R. Torre

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

No abstract provided.

Sex Differences In Complex Tandem Gait Performance Among Division I Collegiate Athletes, Destiny Mcknight, Thomas Campbell

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Background:
Sport-related concussions remain a significant concern in collegiate athletics, accounting for approximately 6% of sport-related injuries annually. Athletic trainers play a critical role in identifying concussion-related impairments, particularly deficits in balance and postural control. Dynamic balance impairments may persist beyond symptom resolution and negatively affect performance and functional mobility. The Complex Tandem Gait (CTG) test, a component of visio-vestibular assessment, evaluates postural control under varying sensory conditions and may detect lingering deficits associated with concussion history.

Objective:
To examine gender differences in baseline dynamic balance performance during complex tandem gait tasks among Division I athletes.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study …

Sleep Problems In Children With Adhd: Associations With Internalizing Symptoms And Physical Activity, Xiao Liang, Mengping Zhao, Li Su, Justin A. Haegele, Richard H. Xu, Jiayue Li, Jinxian Guo, Choi-Yeung Tse, Shirley X. Li, David H. K. Shum

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience high rates of sleep problems and are at increased risk for developing internalizing problems. This study aimed to examine the association of sleep problems and physical activity with internalizing symptoms in children with ADHD. This cross-sectional study included 188 children with ADHD (M age = 8.60 ± 1.38, 78.7% boys). Self-reported questionnaires were used to assess sleep problems (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]) and internalizing symptoms (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 [DASS 21]). The presence of sleep problems was defined as a PSQI score > 5. Physical activity was recorded by an ActiGraph …

Should More Teams "Trust The Process" Of Tanking?, Eduardo G. Minuci, Alexander Cardazzi, Candon Johnson

Economics Faculty Publications

In many professional sport leagues, the worst-performing teams receive higher probability of earning top draft picks. This provides teams incentives to purposefully lose, or "tank," if they are not likely to contend for the playoffs or championships. We evaluate the effectiveness of tanking to improve team outcomes by examining the most explicit tanking case in the NBA: the "Trust the Process" Philadelphia 76ers. Using synthetic control, we demonstrate that tanking caused the 76ers to be more successful in terms of winning and operating income. However, only operating income had a plausibly positive present value when calculating discounted present values.

A Narrative Review Of The High-Carbohydrate Fueling Revolution (≥100 G/H) In The Professional Peloton, Patrick B. Wilson

Exercise Science Faculty Publications

High-carbohydrate fueling in cycling (defined as ≥ 100 g/h for this paper) has received significant media attention in recent years. Whether this practice improves performance, however, remains an unresolved issue in the scientific literature. The purpose of this narrative review is to provide an up-to-date analysis of the practice of high-carbohydrate fueling, with a specific focus on potential performance implications in professional cycling. Topics covered include historical carbohydrate intake guidelines, research directly comparing high-carbohydrate fueling with traditional fueling guidelines, theorized benefits of high-carbohydrate fueling specific to cycling, potential risks associated with high-carbohydrate fueling, and personalizing carbohydrate intakes. Among a small …

Standardization Of Neuromuscular Reflex Analysis—Role Of Fine-Tuned Vision-Language Model Consortium And Openai Gpt-Oss Reasoning Llm-Enabled Decision Support System, Eranga Bandara, Ross Gore, Sachin Shetty, Ravi Mukkamala, Christopher K. Rhea, Brittany S. Samulski, Amin Hass, Atmaram Yarlagadda, Shaifali Kaushik, Malith De Silva, Andriy Maznychenko, Inna Sokolowska, Kasun De Zoysa

VMASC Publications

Background/Objectives: Accurate assessment of neuromuscular reflexes, such as the Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex), plays a critical role in sports science, rehabilitation, and clinical neurology. Conventional interpretation of H-reflex electromyography (EMG) waveforms is subject to inter-rater variability and interpretive bias, limiting reliability and standardization. This study aims to develop an automated, interpretable, and robust agentic AI–driven framework for H-reflex waveform analysis. Methods: We propose a fine-tuned Vision–Language Model (VLM) consortium combined with a reasoning Large Language Model (LLM)–enabled decision support system for automated H-reflex interpretation. Multiple VLMs were fine-tuned on curated datasets of H-reflex EMG waveform images annotated with expert clinical observations, …

Will They Be More Honest With An (External) Proctor? Evaluating Ufc Match Performance Before And After The Adoption Of The Usada Doping Program, Moonsup Hyun, Wonsok (Frank) Jee, Sehwon Kang, Yohan Lee

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Over the eight years from 2015 to 2023, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) partnered with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to institute comprehensive external oversight of doping controls. This study investigates the effects of transitioning from internally administered anti-doping protocols to exclusive external governance by comparing UFC performance metrics before and during the USADA partnership. Using a Difference-in-Differences (DiD) approach with data from 2012 to 2018, we find that match duration significantly increased, while the likelihood of extreme outcomes, knockouts (KO), technical knockouts (TKO), and submissions, decreased during the USADA period. These results suggest that performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) could …

Understanding Motivations And Health Outcomes Of College-Aged Triathletes During Covid-19: A Mixed-Methods Study, Patrick Wilson, Eddie Hill, Justin Haegele, Xihe Zhu

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

A triathlon is a multi-sport event that consists of three simultaneous events: swimming, biking, and running. This sport has experienced significant growth in the past few decades, with colleges and universities now participating. This exploratory mixed-methods study examined the motivations and perceived health benefits of college triathletes during the COVID-19 pandemic, using the Means-Ends of Recreation Scale and the Perceived Health Outcomes of Recreation Scale (N = 29), as well as semi-structured interviews (N = 4). Results indicate no difference in motives or health outcomes between male and female survey respondents. The thematic analysis of open-ended interview questions highlighted lived …

Questioning Body-Normativity Dominance In Inclusive Physical Education: A Transgressive Analysis Through Bell Hooks' Perspectives, Maria Luiza Tanure Alves, Justin A. Haegele, Anthony Maher, Sebastian Ruin, Lesley Sharpe, Martina Giese, Janine Coates

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Grounded in Critical Disability Studies, this study examines how mechanisms of oppression are recurrently legitimized in relation to Disabled students in Physical Education (PE). Drawing on bell hooks’ perspective, this study explores recurring logics of domination, thereby deepening understandings of how oppression is produced and sustained in PE. Using a post-structuralist approach, we conducted qualitative interviews with nine PE teachers to examine the dominant beliefs and pedagogical practices that shape PE in relation to disability. Interview data were analyzed through interpretative discourse analysis, guided by Critical Disability Studies and informed by hooks’ critical insights on oppression. The findings suggest …

The Epidemiology Of Catastrophic Head And Neck Injuries In High School And College Non-Football Sports: A 4-Decade Review, Courtney M. Meyer, Kristen L. Kucera, Samantha E. Scarneo-Miller, Zachary K. Winkelmann, Susan W. Yeargin

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background:

Catastrophic head and neck injuries (CHNIs) in sport are rare but can have disabling or fatal outcomes. Prior studies have focused on football, equipment-laden sports, or different injury severities, not CHNI in nonfootball sports.

Purpose:

To describe the epidemiology of CHNI across levels (high school vs collegiate) in nonfootball sports and evaluate differences in injury rates (IRs) by sport, sex, and decade.

Study Design

Descriptive epidemiological study.

Methods:

This study utilized 40 academic years (1982-1983 to 2021-2022) of surveillance data from the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research. Descriptive statistics summarized athlete, event, and injury characteristics. IRs were …

Stability Of Salivary Microrna Measures Across An Ncaa Division I Football Season: Implications For Microrna As A Biomarker Of Concussion, Thomas R. Campbell, Martina Zamponi, Delaney Leathers, Julie Cavallario, Jessica C. Martinez, Peter A. Mollica

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Clinicians often face challenges in concussion care due to a heavy reliance on subjective patient input. Recently, research has sought objective biomarkers, like salivary microRNAs, to improve concussion management. However, significant limitations hinder the use of microRNAs as a diagnostic tool, including the cumulative effects of a contact sport season. A better understanding of the response to a contact sport season would help researchers and clinicians interpret expression changes at the time of injury in the context of seasonal variation. in Therefore, this study investigated the reliability of previously identified salivary microRNA targets across one contact sport season.

Methods …

Organized Sports-Based Interventions And Motor Outcomes In Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review, Kailash Ram, Maeren Hill, Caitlyn Stewart, Kaitlin P. Hardy Md, Sonia Khurana

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of organized sports-based interventions on motor outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Method

Four databases were searched from inception to November 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled trials (NRCTs) reporting motor outcomes of organized sports-based interventions in children with ASD. Risk of bias was evaluated using ROB-2 (Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool, Version Two) for RCTs and ROBINS-I (Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions) for NRCTs.

Results

Eleven studies (six RCTs, five NRCTs) were included and categorized as martial arts (n = 5), aquatic training (n = …

The Impacts Of Physical (In)Activity On Endothelial Function, Joel Ernest Harden

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Exercise and physical activity are known to have beneficial effects on endothelial function and vascular health. Sedentary behavior and physical inactivity, however, have been shown to be related to poor endothelial function and vascular health. The overall purpose of this dissertation was to further elucidate the physiological links between physical (in)activity and vascular health. In the first study, 12 active, young (18-40 yr) individuals and 12 active, old (55+ yr) individuals were recruited. Participants underwent 5 days of removal of exercise, and had their endothelial function assessed via flow-mediated dilation (FMD) during their normal, habitual exercise state (EX) and during …

Lost In Transition: The Need For Research On Immersive Clinical Experiences In Athletic Training Education, Julie M. Cavallario, Stephanie M. Singe

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context

Immersive clinical experiences (ICEs) were integrated into athletic training education to enhance student learning. However, their structure and effect remain poorly understood.

Objective

To highlight the lack of research on ICEs and the need for data-driven improvements in athletic training education.

Background

Since the transition to graduate-level education, ICEs have been required to provide students with uninterrupted exposure to professional practice. Despite this requirement, little evidence exists regarding their effectiveness or best implementation practices.

Synthesis

Authors of recent studies have revealed inconsistencies in implementation, limited placement diversity, and inadequate preceptor training. Despite widespread adoption, little evidence supports how ICEs …

Time Of Urine Sampling May Influence The Association Between Urine Specific Gravity And Body Composition, Patrick B. Wilson, Brian K. Ferguson, Ian P. Winter

Exercise Science Faculty Publications

Urine specific gravity (USG) is frequently utilized in sports practice and research to assess hydration status. Prior research suggests that individuals with large amounts of fat-free mass (FFM) and muscle have elevated USG, but little is known about whether the time of collection (first-morning vs. spot sampling) and various nutritional factors influence these relationships. This cross-sectional, observational study assessed fasted first-morning (n = 55) and non-fasted spot USG (n = 51) samples in adults and evaluated relationships of USG with body composition and nutrition intake. The InBody 770 was used to estimate FFM, skeletal muscle mass (SMM), and total body …

The Effects Of The Image Attributes Of Golf Star Athletes Supported By Adult Amateur Golfers On Sports Participation Desire And Continuation Intention, Ji-Hye Yang, Ga Young Kim, Hye Jin Yang, Chulhwan Choi, Chul-Ho Bum

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

The image attributes of sports star athletes demonstrate positive effects on sports fans' psychological factors. In the context of golf, fans are also influenced by the players they support, experiencing a range of emotions. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of the image attributes of golf star athletes—supported by adult amateur golfers—on the desire for sports participation and the intention to continue. This study involved 356 adult amateur golfers in Korea (253 male, 103 female). Questionnaires were used to measure participants' perceptions of image attributes, their desire for sports participation, and their intention to continue participating in the …

A Study Of Differences In Enjoyment, Exercise Commitment, And Intention To Continue Participation Among Age Groups Of Adult Amateur Golfers, Hye Jin Yang, Ji-Hye Yang, Chulhwan Choi, Chul-Ho Bum

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Golf is one of the leisure sports that offers various benefits and has become a popular public sport with participation from people of various age groups. A total of 262 questionnaires were distributed online, with 240 valid responses collected after excluding 22 with non-responses or partial answers. The results showed statistically significant differences in enjoyment by age group, except for recognition from others. Regarding physical health, those in their 60s and above had higher mean scores than other age groups, and those in their 50s scored higher than those in their 30s. Stress relief was greater among those in their …

Athletic Training Students' Use Of Health Information Technology Professional Behaviors During Clinical Experiences: A Report From The Aate Research Network, Cailee E. Welch Bacon, Julie M. Cavallario, Stacy E. Walker, R. Curtis Bay, Bonnie L. Van Lunen

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context:

As an essential core competency for high-quality healthcare, health information technology (HIT) leverages the use of technology, such as electronic record systems, to collect and use patient care information to make informed clinical decisions. There is a dearth of information regarding professional athletic training students' (ATSs') use of HIT professional behaviors during clinical experiences.

Objective:

To assess HIT professional behaviors ATSs engage with during clinical experience patient encounters (PEs). DESIGN: Multisite panel design.

Setting:

12 professional athletic training programs.

Participants:

363 ATSs enrolled across the participating professional athletic training programs entered patient encounter information within E*Value during their scheduled …

Frequency And Perceived Influence Of Menopausal Symptoms On Training And Performance In Female Endurance Athletes, Heather M. Hamilton, Natalie M. Yarish, Kristin E. Heron

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Menopause is associated with several negative health concerns and common menopausal symptoms. Physical activity is essential to mitigate these negative effects, but menopausal symptoms may interfere with participation in physical activity. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and the perceived negative effect of menopausal symptoms among female endurance athletes. Female runners, cyclists, swimmers, and triathletes 40–60 years of age were recruited (N = 187). Participants completed an online, anonymous survey that included self-reported menopausal status; the Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS), a validated measure for assessing menopausal symptoms; and the perceived effect of menopausal symptoms on …

Salary Negotiation Dynamics For Athletic Trainers: Insights From Employers On Expectations And Organizational Influences, Julie M. Cavallario, Forrest Andrews, Kendallyn Johnson, Katherine Schalk, Cailee E. Welch Bacon

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context

While researchers have previously identified that most athletic trainers (ATs) do not negotiate their salary, little is known about employers' expectations and behaviors relative to establishing and negotiating salaries for the ATs they hire.

Objective

To examine employers' expectations and behaviors regarding AT salary negotiation.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

Web-based survey.

Patients or other participants

413 employers who are in a role that requires them to negotiate salary offers with prospective AT employees and who have minimally hired one AT into the organization they work for accessed the survey from a random sample of 7,000 ATs (6% access rate); 324 …

Perceptions Of Leadership Opportunities And Effectiveness Among Athletic Trainers: A Comparison Across Racial And Ethnic Groups, Nicolette A. Harris, Americus H. Williams, Julie M. Cavallario, Cailee E. Welch Bacon

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context

Diverse representation in athletic training leadership is essential for fostering inclusion and innovation in the profession. Despite efforts to enhance leadership diversity, disparities persist, underscoring the need to explore barriers to leadership and the effectiveness of leadership in meeting the needs of athletic trainers (ATs).

Objective

To examine racial and ethnic differences in ATs' desire, pursuit, and attainment of leadership positions in the profession in addition to perceptions of current leadership effectiveness.

Design

Cross-sectional, web-based survey.

Participants

A purposeful sample of 1,173 racially and ethnically diverse ATs from an organized professional network followed by a random sample of 6,000 …

An 11-Year (2012-2022) Review Of Journal Of Athletic Training Publication Study Designs And Sample Sizes, Zachary K. Winkelmann, Samantha E. Scarneo-Miller, Emily C. Smith, Ryan M. Argetsinger, Lindsey E. Eberman

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Research findings must be representative by creating a sample of individuals, ensuring the results can be generalized and applicable to a larger population, which has historically been guided by a power analysis. However, the varied research design methods require a unique approach to sampling and a formula for recruitment and size. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze historical data from published manuscripts in the Journal of Athletic Training (JAT) relative to study design and sample sizes. A secondary purpose was to further explore metrics for survey-based research.

Methods

This descriptive analysis explored 1267 publications in each …

Athletic Trainers' Perceptions Of Salary Negotiation Decision-Making During The Hiring Process, Julie M. Cavallario, Kim Detwiler, Leanne Jones, Indigo White, Cailee E. Welch

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Appropriate salaries for athletic trainers (ATs) have been a contentious topic for decades. While professional advocacy efforts to increase ATs' salaries have gained traction, little is known about ATs' experiences with negotiation during the hiring process.

Objective: To explore the reasons, influences, and factors influencing ATs' negotiation decisions.

Design: Qualitative study.

Setting: Individual video interviews.

Patients or other participants: 28 ATs who participated in a previous study and indicated a willingness to participate in the qualitative follow-up were interviewed (17 women, 10 men, 1 non-binary individual; age = 37.8±8.9 years; athletic training experience = 15.1±8.3 years). Of the 28 …

Assessments Used By Athletic Trainers To Decide Return-To-Activity Readiness In Patients With An Ankle Sprain, Ryan S. Mccann, Cailee E. Welch Bacon, Ashley M. B. Suttmiller, Phillip A. Gribble, Julie M. Cavallario

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Athletic trainers (ATs) often care for patients with ankle sprains. Expert consensus has been established for rehabilitation-oriented assessments (ROASTs) that should be included in ankle-sprain evaluations. However, the methods ATs use to determine return-to-activity readiness after an ankle sprain are unknown.

Objectives: To identify ATs' methods for determining patients' return-to-activity readiness after an ankle sprain and demographic characteristics of the ATs and their methods.

Setting: Online survey.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Patients or Other Participants: We recruited 10 000 clinically practicing ATs. A total of 676 accessed the survey, 574 submitted responses (85% completion rate), and 541 respondents met the …

Associations Between Urine Specific Gravity And Race/Ethnicity At The Population Level: Implications For Hydration Status Categorization, Ian P. Winter, Brain K. Ferguson, Patrick B. Wilson

Exercise Science Faculty Publications

Objective

We aimed to evaluate how urine specific gravity (USG) and rates of supposed hypohydration vary by race/ethnicity, and to examine how adjustment for several important factors impacts estimated USG.

Methods

Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, this cross‐sectional study evaluated a total of 4195 (2098 female, 2097 male) Americans and categorized them as supposedly hypohydrated (USG≥1.020) or not using spot urine samples. USG and prevalence of supposed hypohydration were compared across racial/ethnic groups, separately by gender. The analyses considered the impact of urine creatinine, body composition, age, dietary nutrients, and physical activity.

Results

Differences in supposed hypohydration …

Fat-Free Mass Is Positively Associated With Urine Specific Gravity In Athletes And Active Adults: A Quantitative Review, Patrick B. Wilson, Ian P. Winter

Exercise Science Faculty Publications

Background: Urine specific gravity (USG) is a commonly used assessment method to estimate the prevalence of hypohydration, typically based on a common threshold of ≥ 1.020. Some research has shown that USG can vary based on body size and composition, but the evidence to date is limited. This review examined whether an association between fat-free mass (FFM), a component of body composition, and USG could be detected among published articles that have reported these variables in athletes and physically active individuals.

Methods: By searching Google Scholar, the authors identified a large number of published articles (n = 161) reporting anthropometrics …

Prediction Of Recurrent Lateral Ankle Sprain And Ankle Pain Using Applied Care Strategies And Patient-Reported Outcomes, Ryan S. Mccann, Elisabeth Ohrnberger, Kyle B. Kosik, Phillip A. Gribble

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context

Patients with lateral ankle sprains (LASs) often have deficient patient-reported outcomes (PROs) at return to activity (RTA), potentially increasing risk for recurrent LAS and ankle pain. Additionally, applied care strategies are known to correct impairments, but their ability to mitigate risk for long-term consequences remains unknown.

Objective

To determine if applied care strategies and PRO scores at RTA and 6 months after RTA predict recurrent LAS and ankle pain 12 months after an acute LAS. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Online survey.

Patients or Other Participants

We enrolled 63 individuals within 1 week of sustaining an acute LAS.

Main …

Athletic Trainers' Perceptions Of The Structure And Barriers To Online Continuing Education Clinical Documentation Models, Sara L. Nottingham, Tricia M. Kasamatsu, Julie M. Cavallario, Cailee E. Welch Bacon

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Athletic trainers (ATs) appreciate the accessibility of web-based continuing education (CE) opportunities. ATs describe needing more CE opportunities related to clinical documentation, but the effectiveness of CE in this content area has not been studied.

Objective: Obtain ATs’ perceptions of their experiences accessing web-based CE specific to clinical documentation.

Design: Qualitative study.

Setting: Web-based audio interviews.

Patients or Other Participants: Twenty-nine ATs, averaging 36.2 ± 9.0 years of age, including 16 women and 13 men who represented 8 different clinical practice settings.

Data Collection and Analysis: Participants previously completed 1 of 2 web-based CE modules specific to clinical documentation, …

Retention And Transfer Of Fractal Gait Training, Logan J. Frame, Nikita A. Kuznetsov, Louisa D. Raisbeck, Christopher K. Rhea

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background/Purpose: Fractal gait patterns have been shown to be modifiable, but the extent to which they are retained and transferred to new contexts is relatively unknown. This study aimed to close those gaps by enrolling participants (N = 23) in a seven-day fractal gait training program. Methods: Building on related work, the fractal gait training occurred on a treadmill over a 10-min period. Before and after the treadmill training, each participant walked for 10 min overground without the fractal stimulus used during training. The daily post-test was used to examine immediate retention and transfer of the fractal gait patterns from …