Sports Sciences Commons^™

A Retrospective Look At Self-Reported Mental Health Prevalence In Division Iii Student-Athletes, Jacob F. Neri

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Mental health concerns among collegiate athletes have gained increased attention, but there has been limited research focus on Division III student-athletes. This study aimed to examine the self-reported prevalence of anxiety, depression, anger, stalking/harassment, abuse/assault, alcohol/substance abuse, self-harm, suicide ideation, and suicide attempt to identify contributing factors amongst this population. A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted looking at data collected from the student-athlete mental health history & well-being questionnaire that was administered as part of their pre-participation exam (PPE) prior to the beginning of each academic year. A total of 554 Division III student-athletes were included in the study. Results …

A Case Comparison Of Vo₂Max And Lower Extremity Injury In Collegiate Wrestlers, Kole J. Kendall

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

ABSTRACT

A CASE COMPARISON OF VO₂MAX AND LOWER EXTREMITY INJURY IN COLLEGIATE WRESTLERS

Kole Jacob Kendall

Otterbein University

Westerville, OH

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between preseason aerobic capacity (VO₂max) and lower extremity injury prevalence in Division III collegiate wrestlers. In this two-participant case comparison, Participant 2 sustained a lower extremity injury and demonstrated the lower VO₂max value (37.5 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹), whereas Participant 1 remained uninjured and demonstrated the higher VO₂max value (40.8 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹). Although statistical analysis was not feasible because of the limited sample size, this pattern suggests a possible association between lower aerobic capacity …

Investigating The Prevalence Of Eating Disorder Risk And Body Image Dissatisfaction Among Division Iii Track And Field Athletes, Ravyn S. Goodson

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Context: Eating disorder (ED) risk, and body image dissatisfaction (BID) are increasingly recognized concerns in collegiate athletes due to sport-specific and sociocultural pressures. However, limited research has looked at these factors within NCAA Division III track and field athletes.

Objective: To examine the prevalence of eating disorder risk and body image dissatisfaction among division III track and field athletes and explore differences based on gender and event group Design A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design

Setting: NCAA division III athletic program within the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC), during the 2025-2026 competitive season.

Participants: A total of 32 NCAA Division III track …

Prevalence Of Low Energy (Lea) Risk In Division Iii Female Distance Athletes, Ciara Murphy

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Context 

Low energy availability (LEA) occurs when energy intake is insufficient to support normal physiological functions after exercise (Loucks, 2011). Prolonged LEA can negatively affect metabolic functions, reproductive health, and bone density, and contribute to the development of the female athlete triad and relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) (Papageorgiou, 2017).

Objective

The objective of this study was to explore the prevalence of LEA among Division III female distance athletes.

Design

Cross-sectional study

Setting

Online questionnaire administered through Qualtrics

Participants 

A total of 12 Division III female distance athletes (ages 18-23).

Intervention

Anonymous, electronic questionnaire assessing symptoms associated with low …

Division Iii Soccer Athlete Ankle Stability In An Ankle Brace Compared To Ankle Tape During Functional Testing, Caitlin M. Craig

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Objective/ Context: A common injury to athletes and non-athletes is a lateral ankle sprain. There is a higher incidence of a lateral ankle sprain occurring during sports participation. Additionally, soccer athletes are at an increased risk for lateral ankle injuries due to the high impact of cutting and turning, which can lead to the mechanism of injury. As a means of injury prevention and ankle stability, ankle taping and ankle bracing provide athletes with similar support. There is an ongoing debate on whether one method is better at providing stability to at-risk populations; however, the answer is still being determined. …

Examination Of Eating Disorder Risks And Body Image Dissatisfaction Among Division Iii Student-Athletes, Maddie Wisener

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Eating disorders (ED) and pathogenic behaviors are prevalent concerns among collegiate athletes due to performance pressures and body image expectations. This cross-sectional study examined the risk of ED among 243 student-athletes (Males: 54.9%, Females: 44.3%, Non-Binary: 0.4%) at a private institution in the Midwest. The convenience sample included student-athletes from baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track, volleyball, and wrestling teams. The participants were given a demographic survey, the Eating Attitudes Test-26, and Sex-Specific Figural Stimuli Silhouettes to assess eating behaviors and perceived and desired body images. Overall, 22.1% of participants were at risk for …

Can Nutrition Education Reduce Division Iii Female Athlete's Risk Of Developing Low Energy Availability, Coby Stover

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Context: Low Energy availability (LEA) is widely acknowledged as a state in which an individual does not have sufficient energy to support normal functions within the body after energy has been expended through exercise. In sports environments, athletes can exhibit LEA for a variety of reasons. These reasons range from improper food intake to effectively fuel and re-fuel their body for the energy demands of their specific sport, to eating disorders (ED) and eating disorder behaviors. Access to appropriate nutrition knowledge is also a major factor that can place athletes at risk for developing LEA. Both males and females …

The Effect Of Fatigue On Lower Extremity Joint Kinematics And Performance, Sarah Alloto

Undergraduate Distinction Papers

Within recent years there has been an increase in the number of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries within female athletes (Learning how ACL, 2022). The ACL is a ligamentous structure within the knee that connects the femur and the tibia (Mayo, 2022). Its primary function is to provide stability, prevent the tibia from excessive anterior translation, and provide proprioceptive input for the lower limb (Mayo, 2022). ACL injuries are multifactorial in nature, meaning they can be the result of faulty biomechanics, individual genetic predisposition, or environmental factors (Alentorn- Geli et al., 2009). ACL injuries can be classified into two categories: …

Arousal/Stress Effects Of “Overwatch” Esports Game Competition In Collegiate Gamers, William J. Kraemer, Lydia K. Caldwell, Emily M. Post, Matthew K. Beeler, Angela Emerson, Jeff S. Volek, Carl M. Maresh, Jennifer S. Fogt, Nick Fogt, Keijo Häkkinen, Robert U. Newton, Pedro Lopez, Barbara N. Sanchez, James A. Onate

Health and Sport Sciences Faculty Scholarship

Kraemer, WJ, Caldwell, LK, Post, EM, Beeler, MK, Emerson, A, Volek, JS, Maresh, CM, Fogt, JS, Fogt, N, Häkkinen, K, Newton, RU, Lopez, P, Sanchez, BN, and Onate, JA. Arousal/stress effects of “Overwatch” eSports game competition in collegiate gamers. J Strength Cond Res 36(10): 2671–2675, 2022—To date, no physical response data are available for one of the most popular eSport games, Overwatch. The purpose of this investigation was to describe the stress signaling associated with competitive Overwatch play and to understand how acute hormonal responses may affect performance. Thirty-two male college-aged gamers (age: 21.3 ± 2.7 years; estimated time …

Development And Training Of The American Football Quarterback, Kyle Zies

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

The American Football Quarterback position is often argued to be the most important position in all of team sports. The position always requires peak physical and mental performance and elite processing ability. Being explored in this analysis is the training and development methods used in training the quarterback while also analyzing the reasons and validity of the programs being used. Identifying the literature that already exists with published studies regarding the position, comparison of the position to baseball, and a breakdown of the phases of the throwing motion will be the focus of this analysis.

Acute Floatation-Rest Improves Perceived Recovery After A High-Intensity Resistance Exercise Stress In Trained Men, Lydia K. Caldwell, William J. Kraemer, Emily M. Post, Jeff S. Volek, Brian C. Focht, Robert U. Newton, Keijo Hakkinen, Carl M. Maresh

Health and Sport Sciences Faculty Scholarship

Purpose

The aim of the present investigation was to determine whether a 1-h floatation-restricted environmental stimulation therapy (floatation-REST) session could augment recovery from high-intensity resistance exercise (6 × 10 back squats, 2-min rest) known to induce significant metabolic, adrenergic, and mechanical stress.

Methods

Eleven healthy resistance-trained males (age, 22.5 ± 2.3 yr; height, 176.4 ± 6.0 cm; weight, 85.7 ± 6.2 kg; back squat one-repetition maximum, 153.1 ± 20.1 kg; strength-to-weight ratio, 1.8 ± 0.2) completed the within-subject, crossover controlled study design. Participants completed two exercise testing blocks separated by a 2-wk washout. In one block, the high-intensity resistance exercise …

The Effects Of Covid-19 On Mental Health And Injury Occurrence Of Division Iii College Football Players, Evan Kennaley

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate if with the lockdown of COVID-19 and the reschedule of the Fall 2020 football season caused an increase in injury in a Division Three College football team.

Methods: A 20 question survey was given to the 2022 Spring Otterbein football team. The survey allowed for self reporting of injuries suffered in the 2019,2020, and 2021 football seasons. The survey also looked to examine if there is any anxiety the players suffered from during the lockdown using the Covid Anxiety Scale.

Results: Of the 63 surveys, it was found that the 2021 …

Exploring Ohiohealth Employer Solutions Fitness And Wellness Team, Sammer Hamed

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Goal 1 I will apply the lessons learned from my coursework by becoming an advocate of corporate fitness and wellness through my research and program creation. Goal 2 I will improve my advocacy for health and wellness in the workplace by increasing my knowledge of workplace health and wellness with research. Goal 3 I will improve my understanding of the changes the pandemic had on corporate health and wellness by learning about the effects of COVID-19 on fitness in the workplace. Goal 4 I will learn about the workplace from a team perspective by integrating myself into the fitness and …

The Effects Of Resistance Training On Physical Fitness And Neuromotor-Cognitive Functions In Adults With Down Syndrome, Emily M. Post, William J. Kraemer, Madison L. Kackley, Lydia K. Caldwell, Jeff S. Volek, Barbara N. Sanchez, Brian C. Focht, Robert U. Newton, Keijo Häkkinen, Carl M. Maresh

Health and Sport Sciences Faculty Scholarship

Adults with Down syndrome are an underserved population at high risk for a host of different pathologies from aging and lack of activity.

Purpose: To examine the effects of a 10-week resistance training program on measures of motor behavior, cognitive function, mood, and physical fitness.

Methods: Participants (n = 11) were men and women clinically diagnosed with Down syndrome (age: 25.8 ± 6.4 years; height: 151.5 ± 8.3 cm; weight: 67.5 ± 13.0 kg; IQ: 58.3 ± 19.7 units). After familiarization of testing procedures, subjects performed The Arizona Cognitive Test Battery for Down Syndrome, TGMD-2, lower and upper body …

The Effects Of A Periodized Strength And Conditioning Program On Overhand Throwing Velocity, Underhand Throwing Velocity And Off The Bat Velocity In Diii Collegiate Athletes, Sage Jenkins

Undergraduate Distinction Papers

Overhand throwing velocity, underhand throwing velocity and off the bat velocity are measures that impact performance of softball athletes. The purpose of strength and conditioning programs is to improve athletic performance for athletes. Strength and conditioning coaches can achieve this through programming. One aspect of programming that this study looked at is periodization. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a periodized strength and conditioning program on these performance measurements in NCAA DIII collegiate softball athletes. Sixteen (n=16) NCAA DIII softball athletes were selected based on their participation on the Otterbein softball team. The athletes underwent …

Athletic Training In The Classroom, Megan Imwalle

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

The purpose of this practicum experience was for a practicing athletic trainer to immerse themselves into a CAATE accredited athletic training education program classroom setting. The athlete trainer was responsible for creating and delivering lecture presentations and lab activities, utilizing research for class discussion and assignments, and acting as a mentor for athletic training students.

The athletic training worked in collaboration with a professor to gain an understanding for how to deliver classroom materials and how to manage a classroom in-person and virtually. The main goal for this practicum experience was to gain confidence in a classroom setting and provide …

Nationwide Children's Hospital Sports Performance, Mackenzie Meyers

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

During the Advanced Clinical Practicum experience, the student will be exposed to a variety of clinical experiences. The sports performance interns will have the opportunity to work with high school, collegiate and private sector athletes (ranging from 6 to 22 years of age) and also be involved in leading small group sessions and coaching large group sessions. Administratively, the intern will have the opportunity to participate in several teaching/learning sessions per week and be involved in research, data collection and program design.

Acute Effects Of High-Intensity Resistance Exercise On Cognitive Function, John Paul V. Anders, William J. Kraemer, Robert U. Newton, Emily M. Post, Lydia K. Caldwell, Matthew K. Beeler, William H. Dupont, Emily R. Martini, Jeff S. Volek, Keijo Hakkinen, Carl M. Maresh, Scott M. Hayes

Health and Sport Sciences Faculty Scholarship

The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of an acute bout of high-intensity resistance exercise on measures of cognitive function. Ten men (Mean ± SD: age = 24.4 ± 3.2 yrs; body mass = 85.7 ± 11.8 kg; height = 1.78 ± 0.08 m; 1 repetition maximum (1RM) = 139.0 ± 24.1 kg) gave informed consent and performed a high-intensity 6 sets of 10 repetitions of barbell back squat exercise at 80% 1RM with 2 minutes rest between sets. The Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) was completed to assess various cognitive domains during the familiarization period, …

Sport, Gender And Development : Intersections, Innovations And Future Trajectories, Lyndsay M C Hayhurst, Holly Thorpe, Megan Chawansky Dr.

Faculty Books

The ebook edition of this title is Open Access, thanks to Knowledge Unlatched funding, and freely available to read online. In a context where striving for gender equity in relation to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals seems more pressing than ever before, Sport, Gender and Development: Intersections, Innovations and Future Trajectories bring together an exploration of sport feminisms to offer new approaches to research on Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) in global and local contexts. Including postcolonial and decolonial feminist lenses by drawing upon fieldwork with organizations and individuals in Afghanistan, Uganda, Nicaragua, and India, Sport, Gender and …

Body Composition In Elite Strongman Competitors, William J. Kraemer, Lydia K. Caldwell, Emily M. Post, William H. Dupont, Emily R. Martini, Nicholas A. Ratamess, Tunde K. Szivak, Jason P. Shurley, Matthew K. Beeler, Jeff S. Volek, Carl M. Maresh, Janice S. Todd, Bryant J. Walrod, Parker N. Hyde, Ciaran Fairman, Thomas M. Best

Health and Sport Sciences Faculty Scholarship

Kraemer, WJ, Caldwell, LK, Post, EM, DuPont, WH, Martini, ER, Ratamess, NA, Szivak, TK, Shurley, JP, Beeler, MK, Volek, JS, Maresh, CM, Todd, JS, Walrod, BJ, Hyde, PN, Fairman, C, and Best, TM. Body composition in elite strongman competitors. J Strength Cond Res 34(12): 3326–3330, 2020—The purpose of this descriptive investigation was to characterize a group of elite strongman competitors to document the body composition of this unique population of strength athletes. Data were collected from eligible competitors as part of a health screening program conducted over 5 consecutive years. Imaging was acquired using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), providing total …

Recovery Using “Float” From High Intensity Stress On Growth Hormone-Like Molecules In Resistance Trained Men, William J. Kraemer, Lydia K. Caldwell, Emily M. Post, Matthew K. Beeler, Ryan M. Dickerson, Mary J. Kennett, Carl M. Maresh, Wesley C. Hymer

Health and Sport Sciences Faculty Scholarship

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of a novel “floatation-restricted environmental stimulation therapy” (floatation-REST) on growth hormone responses to an intense resistance exercise stress.

Design

Nine resistance trained men (age: 23.4 ± 2.5 yrs.; height: 175.3 ± 5.4 cm; body mass: 85.3 ± 7.9 kg) completed a balanced, crossover-controlled study design with two identical exercise trials, differing only in post-exercise recovery intervention (i.e., control or floatation-REST). A two-week washout period was used between experimental conditions. Plasma lactate was measured pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise and after the 1 h. recovery interventions. Plasma iGH was measured pre-exercise, immediately-post …

Groveport Rec Center: Covid-19 Vs. Exercise, Ciara Masterson

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Groveport Rec Center: Covid-19 vs. Exercise

Hss Advocate Alumni News Fall 2020, Department Of Health And Sport Sciences

Health and Sport Sciences Newsletter

Distance Learning during COVID 19 Message from the Chair Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Personnel Updates Master of Science in Allied Health (MSAH) Supporting Otterbein via and Endowed Scholarship

Preventing Sexual Violence On Campus: Conducting Background Checks On Student-Athletes, Alicia Cintron, Jeffrey F. Levine, Kristy Mccray

Health and Sport Sciences Faculty Scholarship

Since a growing number of athletic departments are utilizing background checks, institutions would be prudent to develop a more holistic approach which includes the creation and enforcement of uniform policies and procedures for student and athlete recruitment and acceptance, the promotion and education of issues surrounding sexual violence, and the implementation of prevention education and bystander intervention programming for students and student-athletes once they become a part of the institution. Additionally, institutions should continuously evaluate the policies’ effectiveness, educate and train admissions staff how to interpret and address background check results and university policy, and regularly update programming to evolve …

Athletic Training Education Reform, Caroline Hanson, Joan Rocks Dr.

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Athletic Training Education Programs are in the midst of major clinical and educational reforms following the release of the Strategic Alliance Degree Statement under the direction of the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Athletic Training has historically been a bachelor’s-level entry degree. The new degree standards under CAATE will make the profession a master’s-level entry degree. Limited research exists on how the Strategic Alliance Degree Statement and the transition of the degree will affect the profession of Athletic Training in the short or long term due to the limited number of programs who have already completed the …

Resistance Training And Milk-Substitution Enhance Body Composition And Bone Health In Adolescent Girls, Ana L. Gomez, William J. Kraemer, Carl M. Maresh, Elaine C. Lee, Tunde K. Szivak, Lydia K. Caldwell, Emily M. Post, Matthew K. Beeler, Jeff S. Volek

Health and Sport Sciences Faculty Scholarship

Background: Increased soft-drink consumption has contributed to poor calcium intake with 90% of adolescent girls consuming less than the RDA for calcium.

Purpose/objectives: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the independent and additive effects of two interventions (milk and resistance training) on nutrient adequacy, body composition, and bone health in adolescent girls.

Methods: The experimental design consisted of four experimental groups of adolescent girls 14–17 years of age: (1) Milk + resistance training [MRT]; n = 15; (2) Resistance training only [RT]; n = 15; (3) Milk only [M] n = 20; (4) Control [C] n = 16. …

Bioactive Growth Hormone In Humans: Controversies, Complexities And Concepts, Wesley C. Hymer, Mary J. Kennett, Samir K. Maji, Kristin L. Gosselink, Gary E. Mccall, Richard E. Grindeland, Emily M. Post, William J. Kramer

Health and Sport Sciences Faculty Scholarship

Objective: To revisit a finding, first described in 1978, which documented existence of a pituitary growth factor that escaped detection by immunoassay, but which was active in the established rat tibia GH bioassay.

Methods: We present a narrative review of the evolution of growth hormone complexity, and its bio-detectability, from a historical perspective.

Results: In humans under the age of 60, physical training (i.e. aerobic endurance and resistance training) are stressors which preferentially stimulate release of bioactive GH (bGH) into the blood. Neuroanatomical studies indicate a) that nerve fibers directly innervate the human anterior pituitary and b) that hind limb …

Changes Of Hydration Measures In Elite National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Wrestlers, Emily C. Borden, William J. Kraemer, Bryant J. Walrod, Emily M. Post, Lydia K. Caldwell, Matthew K. Beeler, William H. Dupont, John Paul V. Anders, Emily R. Martini, Jeff S. Volek, Carl M. Maresh

Health and Sport Sciences Faculty Scholarship

Purpose: To evaluate the changes in the state of hydration in elite National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college wrestlers during and after a season. Methods: Ohio State University wrestling team members (N = 6; mean [SD] age = 19.6 [1.1] y; height = 171.6 [2.9] cm; body mass = 69.5 [8.1] kg) gave informed consent to participate in the investigation with measurements (ie, body mass, urine-specific gravity [USG; 2 methods], Visual Analog Scale thirst scale, plasma osmolality) obtained during and after the season. Results: Measurements for USG, regardless of methods, were not significantly different between …

Hss Advocate Alumni News Fall 2019, Otterbein Department Of Health And Sport Sciences

Health and Sport Sciences Newsletter

1st annual Run for Your Cause to benefit Otterbein University Jean A. Rocks-Mizia endowed scholarship fund a huge success!, Sheronda Whitner '12 and Melica Hampton '04 garner Otterbein University Alumni Awards, Highlights from each of our majors!, Dr. Kim Fischer named 2019 Teacher of the Year.

Hss News Poster Fall 2019, Department Of Health And Sport Sciences

Health and Sport Sciences Newsletter

Message from the Chair / Join One of Our Clubs / Exercise for Special Populations / Homecoming and Family Weekend / Social Media / Master of Science in Allied Health (MSAH) / National Sexual Assault Conference / Hands On Team HSS / Sport Management and Zero Waste / Our World / Color Pop / Class of 2023 / Eta Sigma Gamma / Writing Intensive / New Faces