Sports Sciences Commons^™

16-Week Physical Transition From Professional Mma To Tactical Firefighting: A Case Study, Cole D. Smeester, Gabriel J. Sanders, Corey Peacock, Jose Antonio

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Firefighters, whose occupation involves intense physical, mental, and environmental demands, must be physically and mentally prepared to perform job-specific tasks effectively and safely. Nearly half of all injuries sustained on and off the fireground are musculoskeletal, highlighting issues in the preparation and maintenance strategies for work preparedness among firefighters. This case study examines the effectiveness of a 16-week conventional, conjugate strength and conditioning model on a fire recruit transitioning from a career as a professional MMA fighter. Specific data metrics were used to assess increases in firefighter-specific performance (i.e., EPAT time and body composition). After the 16-week program, the participant …

A Systematic Review Of Technology-Infused Physical Activity Interventions In K-12 School Settings: Effectiveness, Roles, And Implementation Strategies, Taemin Ha, Jongho Moon, Hyeonho Yu, Xiaoping Fan, Lisa Paulson

Department of Kinesiology Scholarship and Creative Works

Background

Rapid technological advancements have rendered many prior reviews of technology-integrated physical activity (PA) interventions in K–12 schools obsolete. A comprehensive analysis examining both the effects of these interventions and the specific roles that technology plays has been notably lacking. This review aimed to systematically examine the effects of technology-infused PA interventions and identify the specific types, roles, and contextual applications of technology within K–12 schools.

Methods

This systematic review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A thorough search across seven electronic databases (CINAHL, ERIC/EBSCOhost, PsycINFO, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) …

The Association Of Walking Cadence With Sleep Quality In Adults 18-65, Almothana M. Matarneh

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Sleep quality is essential to physical and mental health, influencing physiological functions including muscle recovery, hormonal balance, immune response, and cognition. Poor sleep may impact physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB), potentially contributing to reduced overall well-being. Walking cadence, the number of steps per minute, is an accessible proxy for PA intensity, but its relationship with sleep quality remains unclear. Objective: This study examined the relationship between PA, SB, and sleep quality, as measured by step cadence, among adults aged 18–65 years. Methods: participants wore an ActiGraph GT3X accelerometer on the hip during waking hours and on …

The Effects Of Moderate-Intensity Physical Exercise And Yoga Interventions On Stress In Hispanic College Students: A Pilot Study, Hongxing Lu, Florentino Saenz, Preethi Raju, Ednia Gutierrez, Sue Anne Chew, Saraswathy Nair

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Hispanic college students face high stress, which may increase their risk for chronic stress-related health issues. Effective and accessible stress management strategies for this population remain limited. Objective: This pilot study filled a gap by studying the effects of psychological stress on diet and physical activity habits and evaluating the impact of moderate-intensity physical exercise (MIPE) and yoga interventions on chronic psychological stress and acute stress responses among Hispanic college students. Methods: A total of 18 Hispanic college students participated in a 6-week intervention consisting of either MIPE or yoga, conducted twice weekly. Anthropometric measurements and lifestyle data were …

Nike™ Hypervenom-X Footwear With And Without Localized Ankle Compression Impact Static And Dynamic Postural Stability Differently, Harish Chander, Hunter Derby, Michael Brown, Emma Conley, Jordan Doherty, Leyton Riley, Adam C. Knight

Research and Innovation Publications

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of athletic footwear with and without an in-built ankle compression on static and dynamic postural stability.

Methods

Twenty participants completed the modified clinical test of sensory integration of balance (mCTSIB) [eyes open (EO), eyes closed (EC), eyes open foam surface (EOF), and eyes closed foam surface (ECF)], and the limits of stability (LOS) tests with volitional leaning in all directions [front left (FL), back left (BL), back right (BR), front right (FR)] on the BTrackS™. Both tests were completed in each footwear condition [barefoot (BF), Nike™ Hypervenom-X footwear with …

Exploring The Impact Of Foot Overpronation On Gluteus Medius Activation In Recreational Runners: A Biomechanical Analysis, Austin D. Stroeh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Pes planus foot type and gluteus medius (GMed) dysfunction are independently considered risk factors in developing several overuse running-related injuries because they propagate kinematic and kinetic changes in the leg during the gait cycle. While both produce similar kinesiological actions, research on the relationship between foot type and GMed activation in running is limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between pes planus and pes rectus foot types and their association with GMed activity during running gait in recreational endurance runners. 47 recreational endurance-based runners running approximately 5-15 miles weekly for at least 6 months with …

Growth, Maturation, And Selection Of Elite Youth Ice Hockey Players, Ryan Podell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Maturity status may influence the selection of elite youth ice hockey teams in the United States. Assessing biological maturity status could provide insight into the prevalence of maturation related selection biases. Thus, the purpose of this study was to establish normative maturity status ranges, determine if maturity or relative age effect selection biases existed, and compare levels of agreement between methods to predict maturity status for elite youth ice hockey players in the United States. Part one of this study assessed the biological maturity status and birth months for 126 athletes, ranging 9-16 years of age, from an elite youth …

Effect Of Gait Retraining In Minimalist Footwear Or Barefoot On Running Footstrike And Cadence: A Systematic Review, John Desrochers, Alexis Chow, David Rubin, Altamash Raja

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Gait retraining programs take a structured approach to altering a runner's gait, often with the goal of decreasing footstrike angle and increasing cadence, as these outcomes have been correlated to a reduced rate of injury and optimal performance. Minimalist footwear, or running barefoot entirely, has been explored as a tool for gait adjustment in runners, largely due to the increased feedback from ground forces experienced by the runner. This systematic review aims to decipher the effect of gait retraining with minimalist footwear or barefoot running on footstrike angle and cadence. The comparison group included runners that underwent gait retraining in …

Joint Kinematics And Kinetics During Vertical Jump Landings With Progressively Increasing External Loads, Darcie L. Yount

Dissertations

This study examined sagittal and frontal plane kinematics and kinetics during countermovement jump (CMJ) landings performed with either a traditional barbell (BB) or a hexagonal bar (HEX) across increasing submaximal loads in recreationally active males. Generally, hip and knee flexion angles and joint mean angular velocities decreased as loads increased. Hip extension and knee flexion moments increased as load increased up to 20 kg, at which point these values decreased. Performing the CMJ with the HEX exhibited increased frontal plane stability compared with the BB group. Additionally, the BB group exhibited stiffer landing strategies, with decreased sagittal plane joint angles …

Demographic Characteristics And Selected Personality Traits Of Women In Competitive Bodybuilding, Chloe A. Zeeuw

Master's Theses

This study investigated demographic characteristics and measures of personality (dimensions of performance perfectionism and five-factor model characteristics) in women in competitive bodybuilding between 18-25 years old. A total of 24 women completed an online survey which included a demographic questionnaire, the Five Factor Model Rating Form (FFMRF), and the Performance Perfectionism Scale for Sport (PPSS) inventories. Descriptive results for the FFMRF were Openness (18.17±3.12), Conscientiousness (25.58±3.33), Extraversion (19.96±3.46), Agreeableness (19.88±4.58), and Neuroticism (15.67±4.94), and for the PPS-S were Self-oriented performance perfectionism (20.96±3.53), Socially prescribed performance perfectionism (13.96±4.26), and Other-oriented performance perfectionism (10.54±4.23). Pearson’s correlation coefficients and Shapiro-Wilk tests revealed that …

Effects Of Training With Different Set-Repetition Configurations On High-Intensity Exercise Endurance And Acute Recoverability, Wesley Gawel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to evaluate how high- (3x10) versus low-repetition (3x2) resistance training affects (1) muscular strength-endurance and (2) immediate recovery after a high-intensity exercise effort (HIEE). Fourteen college-aged participants (10 males: 24.5 ± 4.9 yrs, 1.76 ± 0.05 m, 86.56 ± 6.90 kg; 4 females: 23.0 ± 2.8 yrs, 1.58 ± 0.09 m, 62.19 ± 5.96 kg) completed a 4-week training program and were divided into two groups: G2 (3x2; 5 males, 2 females) and G10 (3x10; 5 males, 2 females). All subjects performed back squats to failure at 67.5% of baseline 1RM. Repetitions (REPS) and volume load with …

The Effect Of An Acute Bout Of Rock Climbing On Cognitive Functioning And Cortisol Levels, Vanessa Steigauf

All NMU Master's Theses

Rock climbing is an understudied physical activity (PA) that demands active decision-making, integration of sensory and visual input, and continuous regulation of nervous system activity to produce complex motor outputs. The unique psychological demands of climbing warrant studying its effect on cognition and brain health. I recruited 26 generally healthy adults for a randomized-controlled study. Climbing experience, PA and perceived stress were self-reported. Each participant was randomly assigned to a climbing (10x2 minutes climb, moderate intensity) or control group (seated, watching climbing-related video). The primary outcomes, cognitive performance and salivary cortisol levels were assessed by the Stroop test. A linear …

Resistance Training Load-Volume Effects On Maximal Strength, Isometric Force-Time Characteristics, And Force-Velocity Relationships, Chieh-Hsin Yu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The investigations concerned the effects of resistance training programs with different load–volume configurations on multiple strength characteristics, including maximal strength, isometric force–time properties, and force–velocity (F–v) relationships. Following a review of training interventions across these variables, two ecologically valid resistance training prescriptions were compared: high-load, low-volume (HLLV) and moderate-load, moderate-volume (MLMV). Fourteen recreationally trained participants were grouped into either HLLV (three sets of two repetitions at ≥ 80% 1RM) or MLMV (three sets of ten repetitions at 60–80% 1RM), incorporated into the main lifts of a 4-week program. Strength was assessed using back squat one-repetition maximum …

Engaging In Movement At Work: Exploring Engagement And Physical Activity., Spencer A. Cavan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

High levels of employee engagement provide organizations competitive advantages such as increased customer satisfaction, profits, and employee productivity. Despite potential benefits, the number of engaged employees is declining and organizations need to find innovative ways to enhance engagement. Emerging evidence suggests workplace physical activity may generate organizational benefits extending beyond health improvement. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of engagement among employees participating in a physical activity intervention at work. A qualitative design, guided by phenomenology, examined perceptions of workplace physical activity and perceived levels of engagement, as well as constraints related to involvement among university …

Prevalence Of Stress Urinary Incontinence In Female Strength Athletes, Meghan Rohde, Jason Brumitt, Jodi Sandvik, Kari Bo

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a symptom during pregnancy and in the postpartum period, but a high prevalence of SUI is experienced in sports involving running and jumping. Objectives: Identify the scope of the problem of SUI in women participating in strength sports, movement patterns that elicit SUI, and the impact on quality of life in female athletes with SUI. Study Design: Survey mixed methods with qualitative focus groups. Methods: The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and a sport-specific and obstetric/gynecological history questionnaire were sent to women who are United States citizens, age 18-65, and …

The Effect Of A Therapy Dog On Pressure Pain Threshold In Healthy Individuals, Lydia L. Haak, Rhonda L. Verdegan

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Pain is the most common reason for healthcare consultation in the United States. Pain affects every area of life; biologically, psychologically, and socially. These three constructs make up every individual and thus contribute to their perceived quality of life. The use of therapy dogs (TD) has been widely researched as a source of non-pharmacological pain management. Studies have proven that a dog can reduce perceived pain in people with a variety of comorbidities. The purpose of this study was to prove that pain is modulated biologically by dogs and not just by human perception. Methods: This was …

The Use Of Physical Therapy In Gymnastics: A Systematic Review, Anna Bergman

Scholarly Horizons: University of Minnesota, Morris Undergraduate Journal

Gymnastics is a popular sport with hundreds of thousands of participants. Gymnastics also has a high injury rate among participants. Unfortunately, gymnastics requires specific rehabilitation and not much information exists on how to properly rehab gymnasts. The goal of this paper was to find existing literature about treating gymnasts’ injuries and analyze the results. Finally, recommendations were made in terms of future research.

Blood Flow Occlusion Superimposed On Low-Volume, Low-Intensity Knee Extensions Does Not Evoke Hypoalgesia: A Pilot Study, Sophie-Jayne Morgan, Jenny Zhang, Neil Lemay, Neda Khaledi, Saied J. Aboodarda

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 9, 2025. Exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) is a transient decrease in pain perception that can be observed following various tasks, including low-intensity and high-intensity exercise. The application of blood flow occlusion (BFO) can help enhance exercise adaptations while being able to exercise at a low intensity, which has important implications for clinical and rehabilitative settings. Through descending inhibitory pathways, BFO-induced pain can potentially alleviate exercise-induced pain. This study aimed to assess whether the superimposition of BFO – and its associated augmented perceived responses – during low-intensity, low-volume resistance exercise could …

A Comparison Of Measured Versus Estimated Metabolic Equivalents (Mets) During The Farmer's Carry And Sled Push Exercises On A Commercially Available Step Mill, Colin Miller, Ethan Remotigue, Shane Hammer, J. Jay Dawes, Taylor K. Dinyer-Mcneely

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 8, 2025. The Stairmaster 10G ergometer allows users to perform non-traditional movements such as the sled push and farmer’s carry, which involve substantial upper and lower body contributions. Standard MET calculations for stair stepping do not account for this increase upper-body workload, so there is potential for error when aiming to determine exercise intensity based exclusively on estimated METs. The primary purpose of this study is to compare the metabolic and physiological effects of two training modes on the Stairmaster 10G ergometer, specifically evaluating the accuracy of MET values …

The Effectiveness Of Myofascial Massage Of The Gastrocnemius Muscle On The Threshold And Pain Tolerance., Karolina Pawlikowska, Aleksandra Jażdżewska, Jakub Kortas

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the myofascial self-massage technique of the gastrocnemius muscle in determining the possibility of increasing pain tolerance and individual pain threshold, which could increase exercise efficiency, allow for greater training loads and accelerate post-exercise regeneration, as well as to determine the subjective assessment of pain intensity using the VAS scale. Material and Methods: 85 students at Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport took part in the research, including 37 women and 48 men aged 19–25 years. (M = 20.7; SD = 1.07). The test consisted of applying pressure …

A Perspective Or Review Based Entirely On Low-Quality Evidence Is Simply An Opinion, Matthew S. Tenan, Sophia Nimphius

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

No abstract provided.

Sex-Based Differences In The Representation Of Top Youth Athletes, Jessica J. James, Sandra K. Hunter, Elizabeth P. Bueckers, Michael J. Joyner, Jonathon W. Senefeld

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Although emerging research demonstrates that male athletes outperform female athletes before puberty, the effect of these sex-related advantages on ordinal ranking of top performances remains unclear.

Objectives

Among overall top performances of youth track and swimming athletes, we aimed to determine 1) the proportional number of male compared with female athletes represented and 2) at what age females are no longer represented.

Methods

Finishing times and sex of the top 10 and top 100 performances of youth runners and swimmers between 5 and 18 yr were abstracted from online U.S.-based databases for four running (100 m–800 m) and six freestyle …

Measures Of Muscle Strength, Rate Of Force Development, And Fatiguability Across The Menstrual Cycle, Cassidy Wisler

All NMU Master's Theses

BACKGROUND: Hormone fluctuations and inconsistencies across the menstrual cycle paired with a shortage of literature on female physiology in exercise have made understanding on female exercise performance troublesome. Performance-based research has fallen behind and the increase in women participation and current evidence does not warrant general guidance on modulating specific exercise across the menstrual cycle. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of estrogen and progesterone on muscle strength, rate of force development, and fatiguability. METHODS: Nineteen recreationally active and eumenorrheic females (25.3 ± 5.8 yrs, 73.4 ± 12.2 kgs) volunteered to participate in the study. …

The Effect Of Ischemic Preconditioning On Rock Climbing Performance, Jordan Fleury

All NMU Master's Theses

Rock climbing involves isometric contractions of the finger flexors, limiting forearm blood flow and causing ischemia-induced fatigue. Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has been shown to improve time to failure (TTF) during climbing-specific tasks, though its mechanisms remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of IPC on hemodynamics and muscle oxygenation during a finger flexor endurance test. This study assessed the effects of IPC on TTF, brachial artery blood flow (BF), vessel diameter (VD), and tissue saturation index (TSI). Variables were measured before (BL1) and after intervention (BL2), and throughout a finger-flexor fatiguing task (FT), including TSI …

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 Effectiveness Of The Addition Of Slow Deep Breathing To Brain Gym Exercise On Cognitive Impairment Of The Elderly, Dhia Maharani Ms, Mohammad Ali Mr, Zahra Sativani Mrs

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Background: According to WHO, 65.5 million elderly people worldwide have impaired cognitive function. Cognitive impairment can be caused by impaired oxygen supply to the brain, stress, and lack of physical activity. Physiotherapy has a role in elderly cognition through interventions to improve cognition, namely in the form of Brain Gym Exercise with the addition of Slow Deep Breathing. Objective: Knowing the effectiveness of the addition of Slow Deep Breathing to Brain Gym Exercise on cognitive impairment of the elderly at Panti Sosial Tresna Werdha Budi Mulia 4. Methods: This study used quasi experimental with two group pre-post …

Efektivitas Senam Hamil Dalam Mengurangi Tingkat Stres Dan Kecemasan Ibu Hamil Trimester Iii: Literature Review, Suyati Suwito, Dini Nur Alpiah

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

According to WHO (2020), around 10% of pregnant women experience depression and this condition is higher in developing countries, reaching 15.6% during pregnancy and 19.8% after giving birth. Anxiety experienced during pregnancy can have negative effects on both the mother and the fetus. These negative impacts are not only during pregnancy but can also affect the labor process and lactation period. There are various types of sports to reduce anxiety, one of which is gymnastics. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of pregnancy gymnastics in reducing stress and anxiety before childbirth. Literature review research was conducted using PICO search …

Efektivitas Massage Endorphin Untuk Mengurangi Kecemasan Pada Ibu Hamil Menjelang Persalinan, Widiya Saryani, Dini Nur Alpiah

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Pregnancy is a biological process involving complex physiological and psychological transitions that demand high adaptability from women, especially approaching childbirth. Anxiety during the third trimester is frequently reported and is associated with increased cortisol secretion, which may negatively impact labor effectiveness. This literature review aimed to synthesize scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of endorphin massage in reducing anxiety among pregnant women in the third trimester. The review used a systematic approach based on the PICO framework, covering studies published between 2021 and 2025. Databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and SINTA were used to identify quasi-experimental studies comparing endorphin massage …

Peningkatan Keterampilan Makan Pada Anak Down Syndrome Melalui Terapi Okupasi Berbasis Sensory Integration: Studi Kasus, Reza Nur Arsyi, Tambunan Seselia Thresagloria, Muhammad Luthfi, Ayleen Alicia K, Hermito Gideon

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Children with Down Syndrome (DS) frequently experience feeding difficulties due to hypotonia, sensory processing disorder, and oromotor impairments. This case study aimed to describe the clinical reasoning and effectiveness of a sensory integration (SI)-based occupational therapy intervention in improving feeding skills in a 10-year-old child with DS. The intervention consisted of 12 structured sessions focusing on postural stability, proprioceptive awareness, fine motor control, and oromotor coordination. Evaluation tools included Sensory Profile 2 and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Post-intervention outcomes indicated significant improvement in spoon use, posture during mealtime, texture tolerance, and self-feeding independence. FIM scores improved from total assistance …

Efektivitas Latihan Aerobik Dalam Mengurangi Gejala Depresi: Literature Review, Putra Adytio Giriyoga, Dini Nur Alpiah

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders worldwide and can significantly affect an individual's quality of life. Various treatment approaches have been implemented, with one of the most noteworthy being non-pharmacological interventions in the form of aerobic exercise. This study aims to review the effectiveness of aerobic exercise in reducing depressive symptoms. This research is a narrative literature review, in which 3,610 articles were initially identified and then filtered based on inclusion-exclusion criteria, resulting in 8 articles. After eliminating duplicates, further screening was conducted through critical appraisal. The final selection of 8 articles was reviewed. The findings …