Sports Sciences Commons^™

Intercollegiate Athletes And Sexual Violence: A Review Of Literature And Recommendations For Future Study, Kristy Mccray

Health and Sport Sciences Faculty Scholarship

The 1990s saw the development of research on violence against women perpetrated by intercollegiate student-athletes. Research in this field stagnated during the last 15 years, despite the fact that this time period has evidenced multiple high-profile, even fatal, cases of violence against women at the hands of male student-athletes. These events prompted the Office of Civil Rights to call upon universities to more appropriately investigate and sanction perpetrators of sexual assault. The ensuing actions by universities are expected to bring a renewed focus on male student-athletes, requiring further research to explore student-athletes sexually abusing women. This article outlines the pertinent …

Research Round-Up: Manual Muscle Testing, Mary Insana Fisher, Shana Harrington

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Manual muscle testing was developed in response to the need to assess muscle strength losses during the polio outbreak in early part of the 20th century. The development of this original method is credited to Wilhelmine Wright and Robert W. Lovett, MD. Wright presented this method in 1912 in the Boston Medical Surgical Journal, and Lovett expanded the description of the testing method in 1916 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The development of quantifying muscle strength by rating force generated against external resistance was an important development in objectifying assessment methods of the time.

Today, manual muscle …

Boston Marathon, Erin Basavage

Master of Arts in Sport Management

The thesis started with the first chapter introducing the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) and the history within their organization. The B.A.A. mission statement and what they stand for was also represented. The second chapter describes the specific details of the Boston Marathon event. Chapter Three provided a marketing plan for the Boston Marathon. The third chapter also highlights the purpose, product, project market, position, package, price, promotion, promise, personal selling, and place. In Chapter Four a plan to motivate and retain high performance employees was explained and implemented. A risk management plan specific to the Boston Marathon made up the …

National Collegiate Athletic Association (Ncaa) Division I Men's Basketball Final Tour, Leah Mccall

Master of Arts in Sport Management

Intercollegiate athletic competitions have been taking place for well over 150 years. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was created to oversee and regulate member school athletic competitions. The NCAA has three athletic divisions, Division I, II, and III. The NCAA currently hosts eighty-nine championships each year. This writing focuses on one of those contests, the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Final Four. In particular, this writing focuses on the 75th Anniversary Division I Men's Basketball Final Four held in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2013. Specifically, this writing looks at what it takes to become a host city for the contest, …

Opening Ceremony Of The Olympics, Haley Holmes

Master of Arts in Sport Management

The most competitive athletes from across the world come together every four years to battle for the gold medal. The Olympics began in 1896, in Athens, Greece, and has become a worldwide tradition ever since. Organizing the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics takes a special team, as well as many extraordinary managers, that can handle the pressure, stay positive, and communicate with the various culture and language differences. The Opening Ceremony of the Olympics has been my choice of research topic for the past eighteen months, examining all phases and the event as a whole. Cover the history, marketing plan, …

Ncaa Division I Men's Basketball Final Four, Patrick Rydeen

Master of Arts in Sport Management

The capstone project analyzed and presented insight into the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, including a view of the financing, marketing, event management, while also giving a view of a major ethical dilemma that the NCAA faces. The tournament has evolved in the over 75 years it has been played to become a leading event for the NCAA and a major factor in the infrastructure of the organization as a whole. The nature of the event, namely the size and the rotating venues, created a major need for a strong risk management plan to ensure the safety of everyone …

2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Mick Conrad Sawinski

Master of Arts in Sport Management

This capstone looks specifically at the planning, and execution of the 2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Covering all aspects from marketing, financial planning, sports law and more, this project breaks down baseball's mid-summer classic from a professional sport management perspective.

Little League Baseball World Series, Courtney C. Moriarty

Master of Arts in Sport Management

This research reflected an examination of the history and current trends of the Little League Baseball World Series and its parent organization Little League. The tournament, held in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania each August draws hundreds of thousands of fans from across the globe, and creates a multi-million dollar revenue stream. Little League is one of a handful of international non-profit entities, which introduces a unique set of business management techniques. Several of these facets were explored, including financial data, marketing initiatives, employee, and risk management as well as ethical practices in regards to the League as a whole, and more …

The Big Wish, Concordia College, 2015, Bruno A. Surdo

Master of Arts in Sport Management

The purpose of this Capstone project was to create an event centered on an existing event within the sports industry. The "Big Wish - Concordia College" an event based off a wish granting experience through the Make-a-Wish Foundation along with a football game at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Further research was conducted to identify how the Make-a-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children. Some of the findings indicated that a child must be between 2.5 and years old, have a life threatening illness, referred by someone, and have not had a wish granted previously. Using the research shown through the …

National Football League Combine, Ricardo Jones

Master of Arts in Sport Management

The NFL Combine is an annual event where potential professional football players get the opportunity to interview with professional teams. The Combine is an invite-only event where the athletes prepare for weeks before the actual event. This paper discusses the marketing plan of the NFL Combine with a goal to market to current and new football fans across the globe. This paper also covers strategies that will be used to retain employees along with a feedback process. A risk management plan was included to protect participants and employees. This risk management plan also includes a contingency plan in case issues …

Six Weeks Habituation Of Simulated Barefoot Running Induces Neuromuscular Adaptations And Changes In Foot Strike Patterns In Female Runners, Iman Akef Khowailed, Jerrold S. Petrofsky, Everett Lohman, Noha Daher

College of Health & Human Services (TUN) Publications and Research

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a 6-week training program of simulated barefoot running (SBR) on running kinetics in habitually shod (wearing shoes) female recreational runners.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve female runners age 25.7±3.4 years gradually increased running distance in Vibram FiveFingers minimal shoes over a 6-week period. The kinetic analysis of treadmill running at 10 Km/h was performed pre- and post-intervention in shod running, non-habituated SBR, and habituated SBR conditions. Spatiotemporal parameters, ground reaction force components, and electromyography (EMG) were measured in all conditions.
RESULTS: Post-intervention data indicated a significant …

Ncaa Fencing Championship, Zachary Moss

Master of Arts in Sport Management

This paper examined the many aspects of planning, organizing, and managing a sporting event. Specifically, it focused on the management of the 2019 NCAA Fencing Championships utilizing Welsh-Ryan Arena at Northwestern University as the host site. Every aspect of the event is examined beginning with the organization responsible for it, going through the structure of the event itself, outlining a marketing plan for the event, analyzing the management of employees and volunteers, discussing of potential risks associated with the facility for this event, analyzing ethical concerns of the event itself, and concluding with personal reflection from the paper's author. Included …

The Need For Theory To Guide Concussion Research, Dennis Molfese

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

While the focus on concussion research has expanded greatly over the past decade, progress in identifying the mechanisms and consequences of head injury, the recovery path and the development of potential interventions to facilitate recovery have been largely absent. Instead, the field has largely progressed through an accumulation of data without the guidance of any systematic theory to guide the formulation of research questions or generate testable hypotheses. As part of this special issue on sports concussion, we advance a theory to describe the evolution of a neural network during the development of a cognitive process as well as the …

Programmed Physical Exertion In Recovery From Sports-Related Concussion: A Randomized Pilot Study, Arthur C. Maerlender, Wanda Rieman, Jonathan Lichtenstein, C. Condiracci

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Although no data exist, general practice recommends only rest following concussion. This randomized clinical trial found that programmed physical exertion during recovery produced no significant differences in recovery time between groups of participants. However, high levels of exertion were deleterious. This study provides initial evidence that moderate physical activity is a safe replacement behavior during recovery.

Resting-State Brain Connectivity After Surgical And Behavioral Weight Loss, Rebecca J. Lepping, Amanda S. Bruce, Alex Francisco, Hung-Wen Yeh, Laura E. Martin, Joshua N. Powell, Laura Hancock, Trisha M. Patrician, Florence J. Breslin, Niazy Selim, Joseph E. Donnelly, William M. Brooks, Cary R. Savage, W. Kyle Simmons, Jared M. Bruce

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

Objective: Changes in food-cue neural reactivity associated with behavioral and surgical weight loss interventions have been reported. Resting functional connectivity represents tonic neural activity that may contribute to weight loss success. This study explores whether intervention type is associated with differences in functional connectivity after weight loss. Methods: Fifteen participants with obesity were recruited prior to adjustable gastric banding surgery. Thirteen demographically matched participants with obesity were selected from a separate behavioral diet intervention. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was collected 3 months after surgery/ behavioral intervention. ANOVA was used to examine post-weight loss differences between the two groups in …

Differences In Prefrontal Cortex Activation And Deactivation During Strategic Episodic Verbal Memory Encoding In Mild Cognitive Impairment, Joana B. Balardin, Marcelo C. Batistuzzo, Maria Da Graca Moraes Martin, Joao R. Sato, Jerusa Smid, Claudia Porto, Cary R. Savage, Ricardo Nitrini, Edson Amaro Jr., Eliane C. Miotto

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

In this study we examined differences in fMRI activation and deactivation patterns during episodic verbal memory encoding between individuals with MCI (n = 18) and healthy controls (HCs) (n = 17). Participants were scanned in two different sessions during the application of self-initiated or directed instructions to apply semantic strategies at encoding of word lists. MCI participants showed reduced free recall scores when using self-initiated encoding strategies that were increased to baseline controls' level after directed instructions were provided. During directed strategic encoding, greater recruitment of frontoparietal regions was observed in both MCI and control groups; group differences …

Upper Limb Ambidexterity In The Wrestling Snap Down Technique, Nicholas A. Decastro

Undergraduate Review

The sport of wrestling dates back as far as recorded history. Folk style is a subdivision of that ancient sport, considered the most popular form of wrestling in U.S high schools and universities. An important skill used by Folk style wrestlers is the snap down technique. However, there is a lack of scientific literature that examines the kinematic motions of the snap down technique bilaterally. Understanding athletic ambidexterity is an important factor in athletic performance and injury prevention, particularly in wrestling. Therefore, the purpose of the research study was to bilaterally examine the kinematic motions of the upper extremity in …

Lower Limb Coordination During A Land-Cut Task Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction And Rehabilitation, Sarah B. Clarke, Ian Kenny, Andrew Harrison

Conference Presentations

No abstract provided.

Influence Of Traditional And Nontraditional Entries On Figure Skating Jumps, Bryanna L. Nevius

Undergraduate Review

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not adding a non-traditional jump entry into a routine is more beneficial to the skater or if there is more value in performing the same jump with a traditional entry. Specifically, the study examined the kinematics of a non-traditional verses a traditional jump entry by looking at the angles of the hip, knee, and ankle joints at take-off and landing. Maximum jump height, airtime, and horizontal displacement were also examined. It was hypothesized that non-traditional entries would change jump kinematics when compared to the same jumps performed from traditional entries. …

Occupational Stress For Athletic Training Program Directors, Suzette Nynas, Carrie B. Myers

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

The roles and responsibilities for program directors of professional educational programs are numerous. The purpose of this study was to investigate how multiplicity of roles and responsibilities influence occupational stress. Role theory was the theoretical framework to organize the research and to investigate the influence of multiple roles and responsibilities on occupational stress of Athletic Training Program Directors (ATPDs). This mixed methods study investigated which occupational roles and responsibilities contributed to the greatest amount of occupational stress for ATPDs. All ATPDs from the Commission on Accreditation for Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited programs were invited to participate in an online …

Expandable Total Humeral Replacement In A Child With Osteosarcoma, Eric R. Henderson, Jidi Gao, John Groundland, Odion Binitie, G. Douglas Letson

Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Faculty Publications

Case. A right-handed 8-year-old female patient presented with a conventional, high-grade osteosarcoma involving her right humerus; through-shoulder amputation was recommended. After consultation, total humerus resection with expandable, total humeral endoprosthesis reconstruction was performed with a sleeve to encourage soft-tissue ingrowth. At three-year follow-up she has received one lengthening procedure and her functional scores are excellent. Conclusion. Total humeral resection and replacement in the pediatric population are rare and although early reports of expandable total humeral endoprosthesis outcomes demonstrate high failure rates, this patient’s success indicates that expandable total humeral replacement is a viable option.

Surface Electromyography Of The Forearm Musculature During The Windmill Softball Pitch, D. Trey Remaley, Bryce Fincham, Bryan Mccullough, Kirk Davis, Charles Nofsinger, Charles Armstrong, Julie M. Stausmire

Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Previous studies investigating the windmill softball pitch have focused primarily on shoulder musculature and function, collecting limited data on elbow and forearm musculature. Little information is available in the literature regarding the forearm. This study documents forearm muscle electromyographic (EMG) activity that has not been previously published.

Purpose: Elbow and upper extremity overuse injuries are on the rise in fast-pitch softball pitchers. This study attempts to describe forearm muscle activity in softball pitchers during the windmill softball pitch. Overuse injuries can be prevented if a better understanding of mechanics is defined.

Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods: Surface EMG …

Consumer Purchase Behavior Of Online Professional Sports Merchandise, Gina Schampers

Master of Arts in Sport Management

The purpose of this study was to find out whether shoppers browsed online then purchased in a store or purchased online. There had been limited empirical research and knowledge about online shopping behavior in relation to professional sports merchandise. Therefore, this study looked at consumer behavior and the use of websites to purchase professional sports merchandise. Most of all when research was analyzed the author found some shortcomings that overlooked buyers who researched products online, and then purchased in stores. To achieve the goal of this study, a survey was administered to 100 undergraduate and graduate students from Concordia University, …

Controlled Laboratory Comparison Study Of Motion With Football Equipment In A Destabilized Cervical Spine: Three Spine-Board Transfer Techniques, Mark L. Prasarn, Marybeth Horodyski, Matthew J. Dipaola, Christian P. Dipaola, Gianluca Del Rossi, Bryan P. Conrad, Glenn R. Rechtine Ii

Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Numerous studies have shown that there are better alternatives to log rolling patients with unstable spinal injuries, although this method is still commonly used for placing patients onto a spine board. No previous studies have examined transfer maneuvers involving an injured football player with equipment in place onto a spine board.

Purpose: To test 3 different transfer maneuvers of an injured football player onto a spine board to determine which method most effectively minimizes spinal motion in an injured cervical spine model.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Methods: Five whole, lightly embalmed cadavers were fitted with shoulder pads and …

Depression In Student Athletes: A Particularly At-Risk Group? A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Shelley N. Armstrong, Michelle M. Burcin, Wendy Bjerke, Jody Early

All PTHMS Faculty Publications

Mental health initiatives are being implemented based on collegiate athletes being a high risk subculture for a variety of health behaviors that correlate directly to depression. This literature review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method to investigate the association between depression and student athletes. An initial search of the research databases yielded 807 articles. After applying additional delimiting criteria, 30 articles were considered relevant for the critical review and 11 for the systematic review. Results showed that student athletes are actually less likely to be depressed when compared to their non-athlete peers due to …

Tracking Energy Balance In Adolescents: Levels Of Compliance, Energy Flux, And Learning, Senlin Chen, Xihe Zhu, Gregory J. Welk, Youngwon Kim

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Background/Objective: Advancing knowledge about energy balance (EB) is important for helping to reverse the obesity epidemic in many modern societies. This study examined adolescents' experience and perception of using an objective self-monitoring tool (SenseWear armband; SWA) and a portable diet journal to track EB for 7 days.

Methods: Forty-five 6th grade students in a midwestern state of the United States [Caucasian: n = 34, 76%; age: 11.7 ± 1.8 years; body mass index (BMI): 20.84 ± 3.94] participated in the study. The SWA, diet journal, and semistructured individual interview were used to measure energy expenditure (EE) and physical activity (PA), …

Contributors And Constraints To Involvement With Youth Sports Officiating, Lynn Ridinger

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

There is a growing concern about the shortage of sports officials and its impact on organized youth sport. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of psychosocial factors that impact involvement with youth sports officiating by comparing and contrasting the experiences of officials from two distinct sports. In-depth interviews were conducted with baseball umpires and lacrosse officials. Resulting themes were classified as either contributors or constraints to involvement with officiating. The most striking difference between the two groups was the support provided in terms of mentorship, training, and administrative consideration. The baseball umpires received greater support …

Gait Intervention For Improvements In Human Top Speed Running, Michelle Buechner

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Between individuals faster sprinting speeds are achieved by applying greater stance average forces against the running surface. Recent evidence further indicates that elite level performers also strike the ground with leg kinematics that differ from those of non-elites and that these leg movements act to enhance the force transients occurring in the milliseconds following foot-ground impact. I investigated whether sprint performance could be enhanced through a short term gait intervention, consisting of 3 laboratory training sessions wherein subjects (n = 6) completed 5 high-speed runs on an instrumented force treadmill at 90% of their measured top sprint. The subjects received …

Acl Injuries In Female Athletes: Are Prevention Programs The Answer?, Brooke Chandor

Honors Theses

Around 400,000 people tear their anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs) every year in the United States. The majority of these injuries occur during athletics, and most commonly to females. Their neuromuscular abilities, anatomies, and hormones put female athletes at a much higher risk of ACL injury than male athletes. The current gold standard of treatment, ACL reconstruction, is an imperfect technique at best. It leaves patients with much higher risk of both ACL reinjury and early onset of osteoarthritis. Prevention programs, aimed at reducing the neuromuscular risk factors in female athletes, have proved to effectively reduce the number of noncontact ACL …

The Effects Of Kinesio Tape On Sports Performance: Vertical Jump And Shuttle Run Performance In Women's College Basketball Players, Holly Wohltman

Masters Theses

Introduction: Since Kinesio tape (KT tape) was invented in the mid-1970s, studies have been lacking in producing strong evidence to support the claims of its ability to enhance performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of KT tape at enhancing sports performance, in the areas of vertical jump and shuttle run performance, in Illinois College Women's Basketball Team, participants ranged from 19-22 years of age.

Methods: There were eleven female basketball players ranging from the ages 19-22 years were recruited to participate in this study. All participants performed a vertical jump test and a shuttle run …