Sports Sciences Commons^™

The Prevalence Of Stress Fractures In Relation To Red-S Syndrome Among Various Sports In Collegiate Female Athletes, Lilianna G. Couch, Marilou D. Shreve

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: RED-S is a risk factor for bone stress injuries in female athletes. Athletes that compete in sports that involve repetitive movements of impact are prone to stress injuries. The treatment of stress fractures requires addressing all potential causes of the injury to accelerate healing and prevent reinjury. Since RED-S is a well-established risk factor for stress injuries, early detection of RED-S is crucial to prevent long term negative health consequences in athletes including the development of stress fractures. It is also confirmed that certain sports have a higher prevalence of reported stress fractures in female athletes such as cross …

Relationship Between Disordered Eating Behaviors And Sport In Female Collegiate Athletes, Elizabeth Files

General Human Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Disordered eating behaviors and body image concerns remain prevalent among collegiate athletes, yet the role of sport type and sport-related environmental factors, such as uniforms, is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sport type, uniform perception, and disordered eating behaviors among female collegiate athletes at the University of Arkansas. A quantitative, non-experimental design was used, with 36 athletes completing an anonymous Qualtrics survey incorporating demographic questions, uniform perception items, and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Short Form (EDE-QS).

Descriptive analyses indicated a predominantly young (ages 18–21), White, and underclassman sample. Chi-square analyses …

The Prevalence Of Amenorrhea In Relation To Red-S Syndrome Among Various Sports In Collegiate Female Athletes, Ruby S. Holland, Marilou D. Shreve

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: RED-S is a common risk factor for amenorrhea in female athletes. Athletes that compete in high-intensity sports or without adequate caloric intake, are at risk for low energy expenditure which may disrupt hormonal balance. As development of RED-S is a well-established risk factor for amenorrhea, early detection and correction is crucial to prevent long term health consequences.

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to explore if there is a correlation between RED-S score and amenorrhea in female athletes.

Methods: An online survey was distributed to approximately 220 female athletes at the University of Arkansas using Qualtrics. The 69-question …

Within-Subject Time Series Angular Velocity Differences Between In-Game High And Low Velocity Fastballs In College Baseball Pitchers, Adam Nebel, Abigail Schmidt, Kevin A. Giordano, Gretchen D. Oliver

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose

Methods

Examining Relationships Between Us Children's Physical Activity Levels During Recess, School Days, And Weekend Days, Christopher M. Murphy, Erin K. Howie, Matthew J. Barenie, Kari A. Weber, Michael R. Thomsen

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objective: Physical activity opportunities, such as recess, in educational settings are vital yet only a handful of states have policies in place to ensure daily minimum recess allotment. We aim to investigate associations between physical activity during recess and other time periods to better understand the extent to which recess physical activity is related to physical activity throughout the week. Methods: Children K-5th grade were from four schools in Little Rock, Arkansas. Children wore accelerometers on their waist to assess physical activity across the week. Chi-square and t-tests or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and multi-level mixed effects generalized linear regression were …

The Games Kids Play: Determining Concussion Risk Of Playground Sports, Brynlee Morgan

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Playground games play a very vital role in child development, but they have been shown to present significant risks of injury, particularly concussion injuries. Supervisors of playground games or recreational sports may lack comprehensive knowledge of concussion protocols, potentially resulting in undiagnosed pediatric concussion, which can be critical to the child’s long-term health. This study aims to identify which playground games or recreational sports pose the highest risk for injury, specifically concussions, and highlights the importance of concussion prevention training for all school personnel to minimize potential health risks for children. The methodology involved the identification of injuries from playground …

Sports Injury Prevention - Epidemiological Analysis Of Concussion Mechanisms In Female Soccer Players: A Review Of Neiss Data (2020–2023), Caroline A. Bertalotto

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Concussions are a significant concern in women’s soccer, with many studies showing that women have a higher rate of having them than compared to men. The number of concussions in athletes have raised concerns about long-term health and calls for a deeper look into ways to prevent them from occurring. The purpose of this study is to review the epidemiological data related to the mechanisms of concussions as a result of soccer, specifically within female participants. The data was obtained from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) from the years 2020 through 2023. Specifically, the narrative was used to …

Sports Injury Prevention - Epidemiological Analysis Of Concussion Mechanisms In Female Soccer Players: A Review Of Neiss Data (2020–2023), Caroline A. Bertalotto

2025 Honors Symposium

Background/Introduction: Concussions are a significant concern in women’s soccer, with many studies showing that women have a higher rate of having them than compared to men. The number of concussions in athletes have raised concerns about long-term health and calls for a deeper look into ways to prevent them from occurring. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to review the epidemiological data related to the mechanisms of concussions as a result of soccer, specifically within female participants.

The Games Kids Play: Determining Concussion Risk Of Playground Sports A Review Of Neiss Data (2013-2022), Brynlee Morgan

2025 Honors Symposium

This study aims to identify which playground games or recreational sports pose the highest risk for injury, specifically concussions, and highlights the importance of concussion prevention training for all school personnel to minimize potential health risks for children.

Exercise-Induced Myc As An Epigenetic Reprogramming Factor That Combats Skeletal Muscle Aging, Ronald G. Jones Iii, Ferdinand Von Walden, Kevin A. Murach

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Faculty Publications and Presentations

Of the “Yamanaka factors” Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (OSKM), the transcription factor c-Myc (Myc) is the most responsive to exercise in skeletal muscle and is enriched within the muscle fiber. We hypothesize that the pulsatile induction of MYC protein after bouts of exercise can serve to epigenetically reprogram skeletal muscle toward a more resilient and functional state.

The Role Of Age As A Risk Factor For Pickleball-Related Injuries, Ches Jones, Bart Hammig

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Faculty Publications and Presentations

Pickleball is a popular sport that includes players from many different demographics. The popularity has resulted in not only increases in participation but also in activity related injuries. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors along with potential mechanisms for injuries related to pickleball and identify effective countermeasures. Methods included the identification of pickleball related injuries from a US National Emergency Room database (NEISS). A narrative section of the database was used to identify and categorize potential mechanisms of injury. Results indicated that the types and mechanisms of injury relate to three specific age groups: younger, middle …

Obstacle Crossing In Healthy Young And Older Individuals, Hope M. Hanson, Ashlyn M. Jendro, Abigail C. Schmitt

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: In the United States, the average population age is rising and will continue to increase in the coming years.With an older population comes increased risk of injury associated with falls. Falls are considered a leading cause of injury and death in older individuals, and many falls are caused by body imbalance or obstacle collision due to a clearly visible stationary object (e.g., rug, chair, branch). Older adults tend to cross obstacles with increased toe clearance in order to prevent tripping, but much of what is known about obstacle crossing in older adults is limited to artificial obstacles that are …

Innovations In Football Protective Headgear, Henry Bethel

Civil Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Adding impact reduction to football protective headgear decreases the reactionary acceleration experienced by the cranium. Utilizing an iteration of the National Operating Committee for Standards in Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) method of testing per ASTM F429, a drop tower was fabricated, and 27 drop tests were conducted upon a standard helmet (control) and the Summerlin model helmet (test), measuring the maximum acceleration experienced by each drop. Drop tests involved variable heights and test angles with three drops being made per combination. The Summerlin model drops were conducted until failure, occurring at the third 3” drop at the “front” location at an …

Determining The Protocol And Testing Feasibility And Intensity Of The Burn2learn Interventions And Measures In College Students, Sarah Schwarz

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

High-intensity interval training(HIIT) is a time-efficient form of exercise that combines aerobic and resistance training methods. HIIT workouts have been found to improve executive functioning, therefore making it beneficial for school aged children. This study is an extension of the Burn2Learn protocols developed in Australia. The purpose of this study is to develop the protocol and testing feasibility and intensity of the Burn2Learn activities in college students, specifically comparing an exercise only (Gym) HIIT session and an exercise + cognitive activity (Brain) HIIT session. The participants of this study consisted of 15 undergrad students aged 20-22. Participants took mEMA cognitive …

Fitness Anxiety: Redesigning The University Of Arkansas’ Health, Physical Education, And Recreation Building To Reduce Intimidation In The Fitness Centers, William Tack

Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses

The goal of the capstone was to redesign Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (from here on out referred to as the H.P.E.R.) building on the University of Arkansas Campus to make the space more friendly to new users. This redesign consisted of a reworked site plan for the overall building and some significant shifts in the program to accommodate more gym space. The redesign work was based on the following: prior academic research regarding what causes intimidation in gym settings, student opinions shared via questionnaires, spatial/ programmatic standards from the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association, a photographic journal documenting …

Examining The Effects Of Oral Contraceptive Use On Thermoregulation, Whitley C. Atkins

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of combined (estradiol and progestin) monophasic oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use on thermoregulation. Further, we sought to evaluate OCP use on acute rehydration post-exercise in the heat using recommended rehydration guidelines. Methods: Twelve healthy, aerobically trained (VO2peak = 47.8 ± 4.7 mL/kg/min), long term female oral contraceptive users completed a familiarization trial and two experimental days separated by ≥ 7 days. The two experimental trials were identical except for the hormone dosing phase. One trial was completed during the third week of active pill dosing (ACT) and one during …

Implementing An Exercise Referral Scheme For Promoting Physical Activity In University Mental Health Care, Bryce Daniels

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Introduction. Mental health symptoms and conditions are prevalent and increasing on college campuses with anxiety and depression having the highest increases in prevalence. Many college students are also physically inactive which is problematic as physical activity benefits mental health. Exercise referral schemes (ERS) can promote physical activity, though no studies have investigated the implementation of an ERS within a college counseling center. Purpose. The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the implementation of an ERS for promoting physical activity in university mental health care. Methods. Study 1 used a qualitative descriptive design of 14 certified counselors to explore perceptions …

Stress Among Ncaa Division Ii Head Coaches, Dee Gerlach

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to identify factors that create stress among head coaches at the National Association Athletic Association Division II level. Data was collected through a demographic questionnaire and the Coaching Issues Survey (CIS), a tool used to measure specific factors that may create stress among coaches. The factors of the CIS include four subscales: Athlete-Concerns, Time-Role, Program-Success, and Win-Loss. Participants (N=416) consisted of head coaches representing the following sports: baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s golf, women’s golf, men’s and women’s golf, softball, women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s tennis. The independent variables for this …

Humanitarian Athletic Participation And Identity Work, Amanda Terrell, Benajmin Houltberg, Sarah Brown, Rachel Falco, Sarah Schnitker

General Human Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Numerous studies examine youth purpose and volunteerism, but only few investigate how altruistic activities shape identity development within athletic contexts. Endurance-based humanitarian fundraising teams are becoming increasingly popular forms of volunteerism among adolescents and young adults in the United States, but little is known about their developmental role. Twenty-four participants (15–21 years of age; M = 17.42) were interviewed to identify the prominent themes that arose from their experiences while training for and participating in a marathon. A thematic analysis was used to determine the dominant themes that characterized the intersection of humanitarian marathon training and running with aspects of …

Regression Analysis Of Pacing When Running A Marathon, Hawkin Starke

Industrial Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Regression analysis can be an effective way of examining performance in the marathon event. By splitting up the race into segments or in runner terminology “splits” the significance of each segment as it relates to the total finish time can be explored. Because the idea of splits is already ingrained into the minds of runners, it makes intuitive sense to use these as the metrics to define a race. Additionally, marathons generally make participant age and gender date publicly available which can then be used to find trends within specific demographics. This tailors trends to smaller groups of people, making …

Validity And Reliability Of Temperature Sensing Devices During And Following Exercise In The Heat, Olivia Covin

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Validity and Reliability of Temperature Sensing Devices During and Following Exercise in the Heat

Covin, O., McDermott, B., Ganio, M., Vandermark, L.: Exercise Science Research Center, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR

Background: Exertional heat stroke is a danger for athletes that participate in outdoor and indoor sports and can be fatal if not recognized and treated properly. Oral temperature is commonly used to assess an athlete’s temperature during exercise, but previous research suggests it may be an invalid and unreliable measurement of core temperature. A company recently designed a mouth guard prototype that changes color when core temperature reaches a …

The Relationship Between Glucose Levels And Physical Activity, Rebecca Eberle

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract: Background/Introduction: Elevated glucose levels can increase the risk of diseases, such as metabolic syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes. Thus, knowing glucose levels is important to indicate the likelihood of future health complications. Unfortunately, many young adults do not know their glucose levels. Purpose: The purpose of this research study was to complete a cross- sectional study and determine associations between fasting glucose with physical activity, and fitness. I hypothesized more physical activity, and higher fitness, will result in a lower, fasting glucose level. Methodology: This study examined 26 participants aged 18-25. The participants completed an 8-hour fasted glucose measurement, …

Hunger Regulation Before And After A Bout Of Exercise, Lindsay Spitaletto

2020 Honors Symposium

INTRODUCTION
• Obesity is an epidemic in the United States (Kim, et. al., 2016).
• Research suggests exercise aids in preventing risk factors that lead to obesity (Cercato, Fonseca, 2019 and Blundell, et. al., 2015).
• Exercise affects appetite regulation, but few studies have explored the effect of exercise on energy intake (Schoeller, et. Al, 1997).

OBJECTIVES
•Compare appetite level changes pre-and post-exercise bout using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
•Compare energy intake (food consumption) pre-and post-exercise bout using two 24hour food recalls

Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction With Traditional Docking Compared To Novel Surgical Techniques, Kayley D. Guy, Brendon P. Mcdermott, Kaitlin Gallagher, Tyrone Washington

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction (UCLR) is a surgical procedure on one of the main ligaments that provides normal stability for the elbow joint against excessive valgus stress. Damage to this ligament is common in athletes performing overhead throwing activities, primarily baseball players, due to excessive valgus stress during the throwing motion. The most common form of treatment for this type of injury is reconstructive surgery of the ligament, especially if athletes wish to return to sport participation. This type of surgery is extremely invasive and requires extensive post-operative rehabilitation in order to facilitate return to play. To date, many …

Implications Of Running Shoe Degradation On Overuse Injury Incidence In Ncaa Division 1 Female Distance Runners, Rachel Nichwitz

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this longitudinal study was to analyze the impact of the degradation in footwear, due to increased mileage, on the incidence of overuse injuries in the female distance runners on the Arkansas Cross-Country team over the course of four weeks. Methods: Eight female participants over the age of 18 from the University of Arkansas women’s cross-country team that trained in a neutral-ride running shoe were recruited. Each week subjects recorded their mileage and completed a pain survey over the FOOT, LOWER-LEG, KNEE, UPPER-LEG, HIPS, and LOWER BACK while midsole thickness of their training shoes was measured …

Effect Of Long-Duration Standing And Sitting On Vascular Function, Zackary Vaughan

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: An increase in sedentary lifestyle is a growing problem as it has a negative impact on vascular function leading to significantly higher risk of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular disease mortality. Both standing and sitting for extended periods of time affect endothelial function in lower leg vasculature. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) are two variables that allow us to quantify endothelial function. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of long-duration sitting versus standing on lower body vasculature as assessed by PWV and FMD. Methodology: This study included 13 men and …

The Acute Effects Of Citrulline Malate And Bonded Arginine Silicate Supplementation On Vasodilation Of Young Adults, Jeffrey Rogers

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract

Background

Clinicians, professional athletes, and recreational athletes are interested in supplementation that up-regulates nitric oxide (NO) production in blood vessel endothelium, increasing arterial vasodilation. Benefits from these supplements include improvements in blood pressure, muscle hyperemia, and exercise performance. Citrulline Malate (CM) is a pre-workout ingredient, popular for its ability to increase exercise performance and blood serum concentrations of L-arginine, resulting in NO production. Recently, Inositol-Stabilized Arginine Silicate (ASI, Nitrosigine) has been added to many of the most popular pre-workout blends, following a group of studies showing ASI increases serum arginine and reduces post-workout muscle damage. Research has yet to …

The Effects Of Men's Lacrosse Protective Equipment On Thermoregulation And Perceptions During Exercise Heat Stress, Amanda Glasgow

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

The effects of men's lacrosse protective equipment on thermoregulation and perceptions during exercise heat stress

Amanda P. Glasgow: Exercise Science Research Center, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR.

Background: Exertional heat stroke and other heat related illnesses are a common concern for athletic coaches and players. Looking to prevent further injuries, it is questioned whether players perceive if their bodies are heating to a dangerous level. Many factors play into the body’s response and the players perception including thirst, thermoregulation, and the kind of protective equipment the athletes are wearing. Purpose: Examine if perceptual responses are different when participants wear men’s …

The Effects Of Men's Lacrosse Protective Equipment On Thermoregulation And Perceptions During Exercise Heat Stress, Amanda Glasgow

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

The effects of men's lacrosse protective equipment on thermoregulation and perceptions during exercise heat stress

Amanda P. Glasgow: Exercise Science Research Center, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR.

Background: Exertional heat stroke and other heat related illnesses are a common concern for athletic coaches and players. Looking to prevent further injuries, it is questioned whether players perceive if their bodies are heating to a dangerous level. Many factors play into the body’s response and the players perception including thirst, thermoregulation, and the kind of protective equipment the athletes are wearing. Purpose: Examine if perceptual responses are different when participants wear men’s …

Female Perspectives On Mountain Biking, Rebecca Irvin

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study strived to inquire about females’ perspectives of learning to mountain biking. Through an online survey, the present study explored the constraints (White, 2008) that keep women from trying the sport. Respondents (N=150) answered an online survey. Results of this study will be useful for outdoor education professionals, parks and recreation programming, cycling advocacy organizations, and any who make marketing materials for the outdoor industry. The study is designed to provide a description of the female perspectives regarding constraints and motivation towards learning to mountain bike.