Sports Sciences Commons^™

Wellness And Longevity Program For Adults And Older Adults, Oliver D. Fay

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

There are many areas of practice to choose from in the field of Occupational therapy (OT). OT has an incredibly diverse career path, with new opportunities being created every day. I completed my doctoral capstone experience at Iridium Enterprises with Dr. Aaron Green, who has a wealth of experience in business and entrepreneurship. My ACOTE focus areas were administration and program development. I wanted to learn how a business was properly developed and managed from the ground up.

Through this experience, I learned how to methodically approach market research and how to narrow in on a business idea. Our goal …

Consensus Head Acceleration Measurement Practices (Champ): Origins, Methods, Transparency And Disclosure, Kristy B. Arbogast, Jaclyn B. Caccese, Thomas A. Buckley, Andrew S. Mcintosh, Kyvory Henderson, Brian D. Stemper, Gary Solomon, Steven P. Broglio, James R. Funk, Jeff R. Crandall

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The use of head kinematic measurement devices has recently proliferated owing to technology advances that make such measurement more feasible. In parallel, demand to understand the biomechanics of head impacts and injury in sports and the military has increased as the burden of such loading on the brain has received focused attention. As a result, the field has matured to the point of needing methodological guidelines to improve the rigor and consistency of research and reduce the risk of scientific bias. To this end, a diverse group of scientists undertook a comprehensive effort to define current best practices in head …

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 …

Effects Of Imu Sensor Location And Number On The Validity Of Vertical Acceleration Time-Series Data In Countermovement Jumping, Dianne Althouse

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Many devices are available for measuring the height of a CMJ. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) measures linear acceleration, orientation, and angular velocity. As an alternative to using IMU estimates of flight time, CMJ height could be estimated by integrating the IMU time-series signal for vertical acceleration to derive CMJ take-off velocity in order to track whole-body center of mass (WBCoM) movement, yet this approach would require valid IMU acceleration data. Thus, the purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of IMU sensor location and number on the validity of vertical acceleration estimation in CMJ. Thirty young adults …

Association Between Visuomotor Skills And The Effects Of Stroboscopic Vision On Depth Jump Performance, Riley Welch

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The reactive strength index (RSI) is a popularized method of evaluating depth jump performance. Performance in anticipation of ground impact is influenced by the proprioceptive, vestibular, and visuomotor systems through multisensory integration. The contribution of vision to depth jump performance has been studied through use of stroboscopic goggles, but no study has evaluated which visuomotor skills may be a predictor for DJ performance. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the association between visuomotor skills and the effects of stroboscopic vision on DJ performance. Participants consisted of 9 female and 13 male college aged adults. DJ performance was evaluated …

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 …

Concussion And Mental Health: Case Series, Haley M. Clark

All NMU Master's Theses

Concussion is the most common traumatic brain injury in the United States, and is thought to lead to adverse effects on mental health. No studies to date have examined mental health throughout concussion recovery. This project examined the effect of concussion on three aspects of mental health: anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale), depression (Beck’s Depression Inventory), and aggression, (Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire) at three time points (baseline, mid-season, and postseason) and if the athlete had a concussion, they completed the questionnaire once upon diagnosis, bi-weekly until return-to-play, and bi-weekly for two weeks after being cleared for participation. Each concussion showed an …

Management Of Youth Sport-Related Concussion By Urban And Rural Practitioners: A Pilot Study, Brett R. Fox

All NMU Master's Theses

Sport-related concussions (SRC) occur at alarming rates among high school athletes (ages 13-18), which made the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies classify it as an “epidemic”. If improperly managed, physical, mental, and emotional consequences can occur for SRC patients. Due to these consequences all 50 states in the US have passed legislation requiring medical release from a practitioner before a student-athlete can return to athletics following an SRC, yet there is no universally accepted consensus on how to medically manage this common injury. A 22-item, validated survey was distributed to Michigan practitioners who sign off on …

Acute Effects Of Match Play Induced Fatigue On Jump Performance In Collegiate Women's Volleyball, Grayson Flora

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated changes in maximal jump performance in response to match play induced fatigue. During six sets of tournament match play, seven National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics women’s volleyball athletes accumulated a mean Player Load of 758.6±216.89 au (measured via microsensor accelerometry), and mean session rate of perceived exertion of 1184.1±363.2. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to identify change with Hedge’s g effect sizes used to assess magnitude of change. Short recovery stress scale results indicated elevated stress (ES=1.401 to 1.588) and decreased recovery (ES = -1.358 to -1.848) 24 hours post-match, trending towards baseline 48 hours post-match. Countermovement …

Investigating Force-Velocity Profile Alterations And Methodology After Traditional Resistance Training, Joseph D'Amato

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this dissertation were to examine the agreement the agreement between double integration using the trapezoidal method and measurements for push-off distance to create force-velocity profiles, examine the change in push-off distance between loading conditions when force-velocity profiling, and to observe the alterations in mechanical outputs of force-velocity profiles after 15-weeks of off-season training. The major findings are as followed. Using double integration with the trapezoidal method may be a reliable way to estimate push-off distance, despite a small systematic bias. This bias should have negligible effects on push-off distance and therefore not alter or effect calculations in …

An Examination Of Sex-Differences In Quadriceps Fatigability During High- And Low-Intensity Contractions, Katie G. Kennedy

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

The purpose of the current study was to compare sex-differences in quadriceps fatigability following both high- and low-intensity repeated, isometric contractions. Twenty-four (12 males, 12 females) participants completed two experimental visits consisting of repeated, isometric contractions of the knee extensors at 30% (LT) and 70% (HT) of maximal voluntary force (MVIC) until failure. Prior to, and immediately following the fatiguing contractions, strength, voluntary activation (VA), and peak twitch torque (PTT) were assessed while measuring surface electromyographic amplitude of the vastus lateralis (VLAMP) and vastus medialis (VMAMP ). Fatiguing bouts were assessed via mean torque (TQMEAN), total repetitions completed, torque coefficient …

An Investigation Into The Use Of Biomechanical And Performance Data From Vertical Jump Testing To Monitor Competitive Weightlifters, Dylan Suarez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This investigation aimed to employ novel analyses to longitudinal jump testing data gathered from competitive weightlifters to identify how certain biomechanical and performance characteristics obtained from the countermovement jump (CMJ) relate to changes in weightlifting performance over time and if they can differentiate higher and lower performers. A linear mixed-effect model was used to assess and compare the ability of countermovement jump height and net-impulse to predict Sinclair weightlifting total. CMJ force-time waveforms were compared in cross-sectional and repeated measures analyses to distinguish the force application patterns of higher-performing weightlifters and if they change over extended periods of training. It …

Progressive Resistance Training For Concomitant Increases In Muscle Strength And Bone Mineral Density In Older Adults: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Steven J. O’Bryan, Catherine Giuliano, Mary N. Woessner, Sara Vogrin, Cassandra Smith, Gustavo Duque, Itamar Levinger

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background:

Older adults experience considerable muscle and bone loss that are closely interconnected. The efficacy of progressive resistance training programs to concurrently reverse/slow the age-related decline in muscle strength and bone mineral density (BMD) in older adults remains unclear.

Objectives:

We aimed to quantify concomitant changes in lower-body muscle strength and BMD in older adults following a progressive resistance training program and to determine how these changes are influenced by mode (resistance only vs. combined resistance and weight-bearing exercises), frequency, volume, load, and program length.

Methods:

MEDLINE/PubMed and Embase databases were searched for articles published in English before 1 June, …

The Effects Of Focused Training On Non-Dominant Throwing In Teenagers, Payton Campbell, Usenime Akpanudo

McNair Scholars Research

This study aimed to know the difference in non-dominant throwing capability in teenagers who are trained to throw non-dominantly and those who are not trained to throw non-dominantly. This research was conducted at a high school in Arkansas in 2022. The method used is an experiment with a convenience sample of thirty-three male high school students. The methods of data analysis were descriptive analysis and inferential analysis using ANCOVA with the alpha level set at 0.05. Data suggests that training does in fact does make a difference in the non-dominant throwing ability of teens.

A Brief Report Relating Physical Activity And Depressive Symptoms In Women During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Kim Hollingdale, Casey Mace Firebaugh, Stephanie M. Morgan

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of Education and Professional Studies

Purpose.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between self-reported physical activity and depressive symptoms in US women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods.

A quantitative self-report online survey was administered to adult women (n > 800) in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Physical activity was measured for frequency, intensity, and duration by using Likert scales, along with descriptive measures of types of activity. The Beck Depression Inventory II was applied to assess depressive symptoms.

Results.

The Beck Depression Inventory II score of participants not engaging in physical activity (b = 13.344, …

Evaluating The Relationship Between Short- And Long-Term Neural Adaptations To Motor Skill Acquisition And Retention, Federico Iacoangeli

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Attempting to understand the neurophysiological underpinnings of learned behaviors and the process of learning itself has yielded interesting findings relating to what happens in the brain and across the nervous system when learning a new skill. The nervous system displays several structural, functional and neurochemical adaptations to motor learning which have been highlighted through the use of neuroimaging techniques such as fMRI, EEG and TMS. This review attempts to outline the neural adaptations governing the acquisition and retention of motor skills, as well as build a timeline for these adaptations following Fitt’s model of motor learning (Fitts and Posner 1967). …

Trait Anxiety In Mixed Martial Artists, Julian Pino, Olivier Van Hauwermeiren, Jordan Kwamanakweenda, Corey Peacock, Jaime Tartar

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

ABSTRACT

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a hybrid combat sport incorporating techniques from boxing, wrestling, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, Muay Thai (Thai boxing), and other disciplines. Having only been deemed a competitive sport in 1993 by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), not a lot of research has been done on these athletes. Research done so far on other areas of athletics has shown that personality traits can predict various cognitive, affective, and behavioral outcomes. Furthermore, elevated levels of Trait Anxiety have been shown to deteriorate non-MMA athletes’ overall performance in high-pressure situations. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of …

Projected Utility Of The Ready Set Return Application, Erin Hartigan, Cassidy Sirois, Jonathan Lindau, Taylor Lockwood, Valerie Nesom, Nan M. Solomons

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: An application (app) that summarizes best practices may promote standardized care among clinicians treating patients during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to test the prototype of the Ready Set Return (RSR) app to determine receptiveness for use in clinical practice.

Methods: Two mock patient cases were used to familiarize 19 physical therapists and athletic trainers with the RSR app. Then these participants provided feedback about the user experience, features, and content using Likert ratings and free-text fields through an online survey.

Results: Most participants (89%-95%) would recommend the RSR app to others and …

An Investigation Of Popular Recovery Methods In Volleyball Players, Timber Terrell

Student Theses and Dissertations

Volleyball athletes are required to perform high force jumping skills throughout practice and competition which sometimes results in acute muscle soreness. Athletes and coaches are seeking novel recovery methods to enhance jumping performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of two recovery methods: compression therapy and cupping therapy. During compression therapy, athletes place pneumatic sleeves on their legs following practice. During cupping therapy, a cup device is placed on various locations on the legs and a small suction is applied. Six college volleyball athletes jumping performance and range of motion was measured on three days following …

High Performance Judoka’S Views On Their Athlete Journey And The Need For Athlete Education, Katrina Mcdonald, Anna Stodter, Mathew Dowling, Justin Roberts

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

High-performance sport has been the subject of controversy and scandal, coming under heavy scrutiny within the broad issue of “Duty of Care” in terms of the welfare and holistic development of athletes. The United Kingdom has many different schemes and mechanisms that are available to athletes to support them in their development on their athlete journey. However, there is a lack of research exploring whether these schemes and mechanisms fulfill athlete needs and facilitate athlete development. Utilizing Charmaz’s constructivist grounded theory method, twelve full-time, high-performance Judoka (Judo athletes) were intensively interviewed, exploring the experience of their journey as an athlete. …

A Survey Of The Mental Health Of Uk Olympic And Paralympic Sport Athletes., Sandra D. Leyland Dr, Alan Currie Prof, Elizabeth Board Dr, Amit D. Mistry Dr, Rod Jaques Dr, Craig Ranson Dr

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence of psychological distress and well-being amongst elite athletes in the UK.

An online survey was emailed to 753 athletes within the English Institute of Sport. Response rate 52.3%. 371 participants (median age 25) completed measures of psychological distress and subjective well-being alongside demographics and sport-related variables.

High or very high psychological distress was reported by 23.7%. Poor subjective well-being was reported by 18.8%. Of those reporting psychological distress, 9% also reported good subjective well-being. The odds of psychological distress and poor well-being increased if the athlete was female (OR 2.03, distress; OR 2.00, poor …

External Load In Male Professional Volleyball: A Systematic Review, Marcel Frezza Pisa, Arthur Marques Zecchin, Leonardo Gaspar Gomes, Enrico Fuini Puggina

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction. The objectives of this systematic review were to identify the volleyball external loads values in the literature and to verify the applicability of different means of quantification and monitoring of these variables during training sessions and matches. Material and methods: This systematic review was produced following the PRISMA statement recommendations, and the search for publications was carried out in the databases PubMed/NCBI, SportDiscus via EBSCOhost, SciELO. 12 studies meet the criteria and were included in this review. Results: The most used tool for quantification, monitoring and evaluation of external loads are video recording and manual or semi-automatic counting of …

An Assessment Of Isometric Muscle Strength And The Hamstring: Quadriceps Ratio Among Males Trained With Free Weights Vs. Machines, Geferson Honorato Da Silva, Alex Souto Maior

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction. The purpose of this study was to assess the isometric muscle strength (IMS) of the knee extensors and flexors, bilateral asymmetry (BA) and the hamstring: quadriceps ratio (H:Q ratio) between the dominant leg (DL) vs. the non-dominant leg (NDL) of males trained with free-weights vs. machines. Material and Methods: Thirty males were recruited and separated into two groups: Free-weights (n = 15) and Machines (n = 15) groups. All study participants performed the IMS testing for knee extensors and flexors in the DL and NDL using a commercially available load cell. The highest value obtained from the three trials …

Eeg Neurofeedback And Isolation Stressor. A Systematic Review, Kacper Gotner, Marcin Dornowski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction. One of the factors increasing the body's response to a stressful situation is isolation. The feeling of loneliness in isolation can be caused by biological, psychological or medical factors. Material and methods: This paper is a review of publications issued in 2009–2021, the most up-to-date in terms of information on the topic of stress and its links with EEG neurofeedback. Results: 5 publications on stress caused by isolation and the reaction of the human body in a stressful situation were selected. The papers were selected based on the use of EEG neurofeedback in reducing the body's stress reactions to …

Coach And Athlete Perceptions Of The Effects Of The Menstrual Cycle On Female Athletic Performance, Erin Dietz

Honors Projects

The purpose of this study is to examine the knowledge of the effects of the menstrual cycle on female athletic performance from both athletes and their coaches at the NCAA Division III level. Recommendations for coaches based on the findings of the research are provided. The study investigates whether female athletes and their coaches are aware of the physiological and psychological effects of the menstrual cycle and how they are managed throughout the course of a sport season.

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 …

Effect Of Pitching Restrictions And Mound Distance On Youth Baseball Pitch Counts., Hailey Mair, Nicholas A Kenney, Timothy L Uhl, L Robert Ullery, Robert G Hosey

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that higher pitch counts are directly related to a greater incidence of elbow and shoulder pain among youth baseball pitchers.

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of different pitching restriction rules on the number of pitches thrown in youth baseball leagues. We hypothesized that more pitches would be thrown in leagues with inning restrictions versus leagues with pitch count restrictions as well as in leagues with a longer mound distance (from pitching mound to home plate).

STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

METHODS: Pitch count data were collected for …

Drive Leg Ground Reaction Forces And Rate Of Force Development Over Consecutive Windmill Softball Pitches, Erin R. Pletcher, Kenzie B. Friesen, Gretchen D. Oliver, Mita Lovalekar, Keith Gorse, Takashi Nagai, Chris Connaboy

Department of Exercise Science Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Windmill softball pitching is a highly skilled movement, combining whole body coordination with explosive force. Successful pitching requires sequential movement to transfer energy produced by the lower extremity to the pitching arm. Therefore, drive leg ground reaction force (GRF) and the time over which a pitcher can develop force during push off, defined as rate of force development (RFD), is essential for optimal performance. The aim of this study was to examine GRF and RFD in the drive leg during the windmill softball pitch, as well as pitch velocity, throughout a simulated game.

METHODS: Fourteen softball pitchers (17.9±2.3 years, …

Appropriateness Of Indirect Markers Of Muscle Damage Following Lower Limbs Eccentric-Biased Exercises: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis, Emeric Chalchat, Anne Fleur Gaston, Keyne Charlot, Luis Peñailillo, Omar Valdés, Pierre Emmanuel Tardo-Dino, Kazunori Nosaka, Vincent Martin, Sebastian Garcia-Vicencio, Julien Siracusa

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose The aim of this review was to (1) characterize the time-course of markers of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) based on the level of maximal voluntary contraction torque loss at 24-48h post-exercise (MVCloss24-48h), (2) identify factors (e.g., exercise and population characteristics) affecting the level of MVCloss24-48h, and (3) evaluate the appropriateness of EIMD markers as indicators of MVCloss24-48h. Methods Magnitude of change of each EIMD markers was normalized using the standardized mean differences method to compare the results from different studies. Time-course of EIMD markers were characterized according to three levels of MVCloss24-48h based on a clustering analysis of the …

Rainbow Perfect And Near-Perfect Matchings In Complete Graphs With Edges Colored By Circular Distance, Shuhei Saitoh, Naoki Matsumoto, Wei Wu

Theory & Applications of Graphs

Given an edge-colored complete graph K_n on n vertices, a perfect (respectively, near-perfect) matching M in K_n with an even (respectively, odd) number of vertices is rainbow if all edges have distinct colors. In this paper, we consider an edge coloring of K_n by circular distance, and we denote the resulting complete graph by K^●_n. We show that when K^●_n has an even number of vertices, it contains a rainbow perfect matching if and only if n=8k or n=8k+2, where k is a nonnegative integer. In the case of an odd …