Exercise Science Commons^™

Local Pain Dynamics During Constant Exhaustive Exercise, Agne Slapsinskaite, Selen Razon, Natàlia Balagué Serre, Robert Hristovski, Gershon Tenenbaum

Kinesiology Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to delineate the topological dynamics of pain and discomfort during constant exercise performed until volitional exhaustion. Eleven physical education students were tested while cycling and running at a “hard” intensity level (e.g., corresponding to Borg’s RPE (6–20) = 15). During the tests, participants reported their discomfort and pain on a body map every 15s. “Time on task” for each participant was divided into five equal non-overlapping temporal windows within which their ratings were considered for analysis. The analyses revealed that the number of body locations with perceived pain and discomfort increased throughout the five …

Study Of The Effectiveness Of Instant Activities On Student Behavior In Elementary Physical Education, Jerry Ray Leonard

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to assess how the use of instant activities as a physical education classroom warm-up impacts student behavior during the elementary physical education class period. The study examined whether or not the use of instant activities reduces the number of off-task student behaviors during a physical education class period. The research study focused on two fourth grade elementary classes that came to the physical education classroom twice a week for two months as part of this study. One class performed an instant activity every day before the start of the instructional period. The other …

Workforce Fitness: Description, Contextual Issues, And Implications For Public Health, Nicolaas P. Pronk

Frontiers in Public Health Services and Systems Research

Workforce fitness matters for the prevention of premature death, chronic diseases, productivity loss, excess medical care costs, loss of income or family earnings, and other social and economic concerns. Yet fitness levels appear to be relatively low and declining. Over the past half century obesity has doubled, physical activity levels are below par, and cardiorespiratory fitness often does not meet minimally acceptable job standards. During this time, daily occupational energy expenditure has decreased by more than 100 calories. It is recommended for employers to consider best practices and design workplace wellness programs accordingly. Regulations that protect and promote worker health, …

Correlates Of Awareness And Use Of The Hubway Bike Share Program And The Association With Weight Status, Lawrence H. Stahley

Graduate Masters Theses

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the correlates of awareness and use of the Hubway bike share program and assess the relationship between use and rates of overweight or obesity. Methods: Two-hundred, fifty-six students, faculty, and staff from the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMB) participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed an on-line survey during the fall of 2014 that assessed socio-demographics, behavioral and physical activity characteristics, Hubway awareness, and use of Hubway and personal bikes. Multivariable regression models were conducted to evaluate associations between socio-demographic and behavioral factors, and Hubway awareness, use, and the relationship with …

The Effect Of Training In Minimalist Running Shoes On Running Economy, Sarah T. Ridge, Tyler Standifird, Jessica Rivera, A. Wayne Johnson, Ulrike H. Mitchell, Iain Hunter

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of minimalist running shoes on oxygen uptake during running before and after a 10-week transition from traditional to minimalist running shoes. Twenty-five recreational runners (no previous experience in minimalist running shoes) participated in submaximal VO2 testing at a self-selected pace while wearing traditional and minimalist running shoes. Ten of the 25 runners gradually transitioned to minimalist running shoes over 10 weeks (experimental group), while the other 15 maintained their typical training regimen (control group). All participants repeated submaximal VO2 testing at the end of 10 weeks. Testing included a 3 …

The Integration Of Kinesthetic Learning Through The Math & Movement Program: Pilot Study 2015, Benjamin Ferder

Master's Theses

Purpose: The primary purpose of this pilot study was to verify that the use of kinesthetic learning (Math & Movement Program) in the classroom increases retention of multiplication facts at a greater rate than traditional drill and practice. The Math & Movement Program uses a kinesthetic learning-based approach for practicing, learning, and memorizing mathematics through the incorporation of bodily movement(s). Participants: The directors of the research project for the participating school district selected the sample of convenience. The population size of this study included 213 third and fourth grade students during the second half of the 2011-2012 school years. Data …

The Effect Of Yoga On Growth Hormone Secretion In Young Men And Women, Aaron Eastham

All NMU Master's Theses

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an acute bout of yoga exercise on the secretion of growth hormone (GH) in healthy, young males and females. METHODS Seventeen participants (mean age 23.9 ± 3.9) were volunteered and completed the university IRB approved study. Participants completed a 60-min, certified instructor led yoga session. Blood (5ml) was collected at rest, 10-min prior (PRE), at the 35-min point during (MID), and immediately post (POST) the yoga session. Serum GH was measured using immunochemiluminometric assay. Resting GH levels were statistically compared to mid- and post-yoga GH levels using a …

The Effect Of Various Body Positions On Performance Of The Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull, George K. Beckham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate the effects of changing body position on the execution of the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP). Furthermore, while there is evidence to suggest that there is an effect of familiarization on performance of maximal strength tests, there has been no known research evaluating the effect of learning on the IMTP. The effect of familiarization was assessed by evaluating changes in variables obtained from the IMTP. Subjects did not statistically improve over the five IMTP testing sessions, regardless of the body position used, or if subjects had previous experience with weightlifting derivatives. This may …

Biomechanical Comparisons Of The Power Clean And Power Hang Clean Exercises At Different Relative Intensities, Jacob Troy Caldwell

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare normalized peak power (PP) and peak barbell acceleration (BA) between the power clean (PC) and power hang clean (PHC) exercises among eight male weightlifters (25.5 ℗ł 2.86 yr; 85.25 ℗ł 11 kg). Biomechanical comparisons were made between both exercises at 60%, 70%, and 80% of each subject⁰́₉s one repetition maximum (1RM). When comparing both exercises for normalized PP, there was no significant difference at 60% and 70% of 1RM. At 80% 1RM, the PHC demonstrated significance (p = 0.016) with higher normalized PP when compared to the PC. When comparing both exercises …

Removable Shoe Spike System, Alex Adams, Nutech Ventures, Inc.,

Athletic Performance Research

The present system, method and apparatus are adapted for the quick and easy exchange of spikes on athletic shoes. More specifically, the system, apparatus and methods comprise a spike having an opening, an aglet adapted for coupling to the shoe, for example by way of a shoelace, and a coupling head affixed to the aglet which is adapted to couple with the opening on the spike so as to allow a user to quickly and easily replace, remove or install spikes in the athletic shoe. The disclosure thus allows the user to have the tool attached to their shoe at …

The Acute Effects Of The Prevent Injury Enhance Performance Programme (Pep) On Acl Injury Risk Factors, Chris Mccann, Sarah B. Clarke

Conference Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Longitudinal Effects Of Beta-Alanine Supplementation On Isometric Strength, Time To Exhaustion, And Lower-Body Isometric Torque In Female Masters Athlete Cyclists, Jordan Mckenzie Glenn

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Within the population of aging individuals exists a subset of competitive seniors or masters athletes (MA). As masters-level competition increases in popularity, MA must find methods to enhance individual athletic performance. Beta-alanine (BA) is an amino acid used to enhance physical capability based on ability increase intramuscular carnosine concentrations. Older adults and females have naturally lower carnosine levels compared to age- and gender-matched counterparts and may experience enhanced benefits from BA supplementation. Purpose: Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to examine the longitudinal effects of BA supplementation on isometric handgrip strength (HG), time to exhaustion (TTE), total work completed …

The Comparative Effects Of Hot Yoga And Thermoneutral Yoga On Flexibility, Heart Rate, Sweat Rate, And Mood, Hannah Kirkland Campbell

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Yoga is an ancient Indian philosophy, described as a therapeutic intervention and health maintenance practice that unites the mind and body to aid healing through the combination of physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation. There is ample research regarding yoga practiced in an environment that is thermoneutral, or in an environment that does not alter the metabolic heat production or evaporative heat loss of people. However, minimal research exists on the increasingly popular form of yoga known as hot yoga, or yoga practiced in an environment that is often humidified and 95° F or warmer. This exploratory study compared the …

The Longitudinal Effects Of Beta-Alanine On Punch Power, Punch Frequency, And Fatigue In Female Amateur Fighters, Rodger Wayne Stewart

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Beta-alanine is a non-essential amino acid typically obtained in the diet via high-protein foods (beef, chicken, pork, and fish) and produced in the confines of the liver. BA is a precursor to the cytoplasmic dipeptide carnosine (beta-alanylhistidine). Carnosine is found in high concentrations in human skeletal muscle where it plays a key role in intracellular pH buffering. Research indicates BA supplementation increased punch power, punch frequency, and lactate concentrations in male amateur fighters after 28-day supplementation. There are currently no studies evaluating the effects of BA on boxing performance variables in women. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to …

Vascular Regulation Via Kir Channels And Na+ /K+-Atpase, Anne R. Crecelius, Frank A. Dinenno

Health and Sport Science Faculty Publications

Despite the longstanding knowledge that blood flow increases in proportion to metabolic activity of skeletal muscle, the underlying mechanisms that govern this response have only recently been identified.¹ Given the role of endothelial cells in mediating exercise hyperemia,² interest has been focused on endothelium-derived vasodilation occurring via the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) and vasodilating prostaglandins (PGs; i.e. prostacyclin) or endothelium- derived hyperpolarization. A number of studies performed in humans have established a minimal-to-modest role for NO and PGs during mild- and moderate- intensity exercise. In animal preparations, prevention of hyperpolarization attenuates contraction-induced hyperemia; however, performing similar studies …

Synergy-Based Two-Level Optimization For Predicting Knee Contact Forces During Walking, Gil Serrancolí, Allison Kinney, Josep M. Font-Llagunes, Benjamin J. Fregly

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Musculoskeletal models and optimization methods are combined to calculate muscle forces. Some model parameters cannot be experimentally measured due to the invasiveness, such as the muscle moment arms or the muscle and tendon lengths. Moreover, other parameters used in the optimization, such as the muscle synergy components, can be also unknown. The estimation of all these parameters needs to be validated to obtain physiologically consistent results. In this study, a two-step optimization problem was formulated to predict both muscle and knee contact forces of a subject wearing an instrumented knee prosthesis. In the outer level, muscle parameters were calibrated, whereas …

Development Of A Muscle Model Parameter Calibration Method Via Passive Muscle Force Minimization, Allison Kinney, Benjamin J. Fregly

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Computational predictions of subject-specific muscle and knee joint contact forces during walking may improve individual rehabilitation treatment design. Such predictions depend directly on specified model parameter values. However, model parameters are difficult to measure non-invasively. Methods for muscle model parameter calibration have been developed previously. However, it is currently unknown how the musculoskeletal system chooses muscle model parameter values. Previous studies have hypothesized that muscles avoid injury during walking by generating little passive force and operating in the ascending region of the force-length curve. This hypothesis suggests that muscle model parameter values may be selected by the body to minimize …

Lower Extremity Biomechanics In Individuals With And Without Previous Hamstring Injury, Jessica A. Mutchler

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

Primary risk factors for hamstrings strains such as fatigue, previous injury and strength deficits have been identified in the research, yet re-injury rates remain high among the physically active. Sub-acute analysis of the hip, knee and ankle biomechanics following a hamstrings strain have been largely overlooked and may provide additional insight into re-injury risks. It was the aim of this dissertation to explore long-term adaptations in walking and running tasks following a hamstrings strain, and to develop a hip endurance test that could be used in future studies.

Project one used a cross-sectional study with test-retest design to develop and …

The Acute Effects Of Shred Matrix On Hemodynamic Responses, Substrate Utilization, Endurance, Arterial Compliance, And Body Water Distribution, Samuel R. Buchanan

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Supplement manufacturers are widely unregulated and are only held accountable for products if their supplement is shown to cause harm. To take advantage, some manufacturers use false or sensationalized claims that have little or no scientific backing. Due to the lack of testing for many supplements, this study will seek to determine multiple effects of the weight loss supplement, Shred Matrix.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to 1) examine the acute effects of the weight loss aid, Shred Matrix, on hemodynamic responses, substrate utilization, endurance, arterial compliance, and body water distribution; 2) To investigate the differences between athletes …

The Effects Of Pre-Maximal Exertion Inhalation Of Ammonia And The Performance Effects During Deadlift Maximal Tests, Justin Nicholas Vigil

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ammonia as a stimulant on athletic performance during a deadlift one maximal repetition (1-RM) absolute strength test. It was hypothesized that ammonia inhalation would result in a larger 1-RM, possibly due to immediate catecholamine release attributed to the fight-or-flight response. If proven effective, ammonia inhalation would present an option to increase power and strength performance during training and competition based on an acute manipulation of natural occurring hormones, eliminating the side effects attributed to other supplementation methods. Subjects (n = 10 males, X±SD age = 21±1 years, mass = …