Exercise Science Commons^™

Effects Of Obesity On Thermoregulation And Cardiovascular Function During Exercise In Females, Jon David Adams

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has shown that obese individuals are at greater risk for heat illnesses because of impaired thermoregulation. However, laboratory studies investigating cardiovascular and thermoregulatory function in obese individuals are difficult to interpret because of low sample sizes and methodological concerns. The purpose of this study was to determine if there are differences in thermoregulatory and cardiovascular function between obese and non-obese females. Twenty-four females, 13 obese (43.3 ± 4 .3 % fat, 77.2 ± 13.7 kg) and 11 non-obese (27.8 ± 6.0 % fat, 55.7±6.7 kg), cycled for 60 min in a warm environment (~40°C, 30% humidity) at a …

Effect Of Body Size And Exercise On Mood State, Alexandra Lachance

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Exercising in the presence of nature (i.e., "green exercise"), has been shown to heighten the physiological and mental benefits of traditional exercise on non-obese individuals. The effects of green exercise on obese individuals are unknown. It is hypothesized that green exercise is more beneficial for obese (greater positive improvements in mental health scores), compared to non-obese individuals. For example, the benefits of green exercise could help lower feelings of depression, improve mood and self-esteem to increase the propensity of obese individuals to meet exercise recommendations. Accordingly, this study investigated the physiological and psychological effects of green exercise on 12 obese …

The Relationship Between Sleep Deprivation, Food Motivation, And Energy Intake In Normal-Weight And Obese Females, Lora Light Romney

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Sleep deprivation has been proposed as a potential correlate of obesity, particularly influencing energy intake. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare neural indices of attention related to food motivation and energy intake in normal-weight and obese women under two separate sleep conditions: 1) sleep-restricted (<5 hours) and 2) recommended sleep (~8 hours). This study used a combined cross-over and ex post facto design with condition order counter-balanced. Methods: Twenty-two normal-weight (age=30.9±9.5y, BMI=22.0±1.6 kg/m2) and 18 obese (age=29.7±10.7 y, BMI=36.4±5.3 kg/m2) women completed both sleep conditions. To confirm sleep levels, participants recorded sleep quality and quantity via sleep logs and wore a wrist actigraph. Following each condition, participants reported to the laboratory under the same fed state (energy shake ~10% of total daily needs) to verify they followed the sleep protocol. Subsequently, motivation for food was tested using electroencephalogram (EEG); participants completed a computerized passive-viewing task of food and flowers, while event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were recorded. After EEG testing, participants continued their normal routine but recorded all energy intake using weighed food scales. There were no instructions or limitations on dietary intake. Analyses included P300 and LPP amplitudes in response to picture type, total next day energy intake, and energy intake by several periods of the day. Results: Participants averaged 4.7±0.4 hours of sleep during the sleep-restricted condition and 7.7±0.3 hours during the recommended sleep condition (F=1057.02; P<0.0001). There was no group*condition interaction for next day food motivation (P300: F<2.896, P>0.09; LPP: F<2.967, P>0.093). Next day total energy intake also did not differ by group*condition (F=1.81; P=0.187). When participants were pooled, there was no difference in energy intake by sleep condition (F=0.00; P=0.953). However, when participants’ energy intake was analyzed during the lunch period (following testing to 1:30pm) there was a …

Patterns Of Genomic Loss Of Heterozygosity Predict Homologous Recombination Repair Defects In Epithelial Ovarian Cancer, V. Abkevich, K. M. Timms, B. T. Hennessey, M. S. Carey, Julie A. Deloia, +15 Additional Authors

Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Publications

Background:

Defects in BRCA1, BRCA2, and other members of the homologous recombination pathway have potential therapeutic relevance when used to support agents that introduce or exploit double-stranded DNA breaks. This study examines the association between homologous recombination defects and genomic patterns of loss of heterozygosity (LOH).

Methods:

Ovarian tumours from two independent data sets were characterised for defects in BRCA1,BRCA2, and RAD51C, and LOH profiles were generated. Publically available data were downloaded for a third independent data set. The same analyses were performed on 57 cancer cell lines.

Results:

Loss of heterozygosity regions of …

Healthy And Unhealthy Diet Intake And Carotid Intima Media Thickness In Older Adults, Kelsey Joelle Da Silva

Theses and Dissertations

Background -- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a primary premature killer of adults and risk of CVD has been linked to modifiable risk factors including dietary intake. Many diet assessment tools are costly, time consuming, and complicated. This study investigated the relationship between diet quality and cardiovascular disease risk as indicated by carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) using a validated, simple, self-administered rapid food screener. Methods -- Participants were 51 male and 33 female older adults with an average age of 67 years. Carotid intima-media thickness was assessed using B-mode high resolution diagnostic ultrasound. Unhealthy and healthy diet intake was assessed using …

The Relationship Between Heart Rate Variability, Shooting Experience, And Tactical Pistol Performance, Andrew Gerard Thompson

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

PURPOSE: At rest and during a tactical pistol competition classifier, heart rate variability (HRV) time-domain, high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF), total power (TP), and inter-beat-interval (IBI) measurements were examined in 28, healthy subjects (37 ± 11 yr old, 180 ± 7 cm, 90.6 ± 16.9 kg) for correlations to performance. METHODS: Resting measurements were taken supine in a quiet, dimmed room, during metronomic breathing. The shooting task consisted of three stages, comprised of several strings each. The strings were initiated by a starting buzzer and involved several tactical maneuvers, including holster draws, engaging multiple targets, firing on the move, …

Individuals With Non-Specific Low Back Pain In An Active Episode Demonstrate Temporally Altered Torque Responses And Direction-Specific Enhanced Muscle Activity Following Unexpected Balance Perturbations, Stephanie L. Jones, Juvena R. Hitt, Michael J. Desarno, Sharon M. Henry

Exercise and Sport Studies: Faculty Publications

Individuals with a history of non-specific low back pain (LBP) while in a quiescent pain period demonstrate altered automatic postural responses (APRs) characterized by reduced trunk torque contributions and increased co-activation of trunk musculature. However, it is unknown whether these changes preceded or resulted from pain. To further delineate the relationship between cyclic pain recurrence and APRs, we quantified postural responses following multi-directional support surface translations, in individuals with non-specific LBP, following an active pain episode. Sixteen subjects with and 16 without LBP stood on two force plates that were translated unexpectedly in 12 directions. Net joint torques of the …

Chronic Exercise Modifies Age-Related Telomere Dynamics In A Tissue-Specific Fashion, Andrew T. Ludlow, Sarah Witkowski, Mallory R. Marshall, Jenny Wang, Laila C.J. Lima, Lisa M. Guth, Espen E. Spangenburg, Stephen M. Roth

Exercise and Sport Studies: Faculty Publications

We evaluated the impact of long-term exercise on telomere dynamics in wild-derived short telomere mice (CAST/Ei) over 1 year. We observed significant telomere shortening in liver and cardiac tissues in sedentary 1-year-old mice compared with young (8 weeks) baseline mice that were attenuated in exercised 1-year-old animals. In contrast, skeletal muscle exhibited significant telomere shortening in exercise mice compared with sedentary and young mice. Telomerase enzyme activity was increased in skeletal muscle of exercise compared with sedentary animals but was similar in cardiac and liver tissues. We observed significant age-related decreases in expression of telomere-related genes that were attenuated by …

Multifidus Muscle Size And Atrophy Among Dancers With And Without Low Back Pain, Alyssa Leann Smyres

Theses and Dissertations

Design: A single-blinded, cross-sectional observational study.

Objectives: Examine muscle cross-sectional area and symmetry of the lumbar multifidus muscle in elite ballroom dancers with and without low back pain (LBP).

Background: The incidence of LBP among elite ballroom dancers is high and at Brigham Young University is 57%. Previous research has linked lumbar multifidus muscle atrophy to low back pain; however this relationship has not been examined in ballroom dancers.

Methods and Measures: Lumbar multifidus cross-sectional area was assessed at rest on the right and left side at levels L1-L5. Thirty-seven subjects (age 24 ± 3.2 years; height, 172.8 ± 11.3 …

An Investigation Of Relationships Between Body Mass Index And Factors Of Wellness Among Full-Time Employees At Private Kentucky Colleges And Universities, Christopher Schmidt

Dissertations

The United States is in the middle of a health epidemic that shows no signs of stopping. Obesity is a disease that carries a significant number of health-related issues. The adult population has experienced a decrease in overall wellness, where the mental and physical health of individuals is disrupted by the effects of obesity. Even more alarming is the rate of increase in childhood obesity and its impact on America’s future.

The consequences of this health epidemic are especially visible in the increased costs of health care caused by obesity-related diseases. This epidemic reaches across many aspects of life. The …

Changes In In Vivo Knee Contact Forces Through Gait Modification, Allison Kinney, Thor F. Besier, Amy Slider, Scott L. Delp, Darryl D. D'Lima, Benjamin J. Fregly

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Gait modification represents a non-invasive method for reducing knee joint loading in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Previous studies have shown that a variety of gait modifications are effective in reducing the external knee adduction moment. The external knee adduction moment is often used as a surrogate measure of medial compartment force. However, a recent study showed that reductions in the external knee adduction moment do not guarantee reductions in medial compartment loads. Therefore, direct measurement of changes in knee contact force is important for determining the effectiveness of gait modifications. A previous study found that medial thrust gait and walking …

Interactions Between The Thermic Effect Of Food And Exercise On Total Energy Expenditure In Moderately Active Females, Ashley Binns

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Diet and exercise are key components to overall health maintenance. Aspects contributing to weight maintenance include the thermic effect of food (TEF) and total energy expenditure (TEE), with TEF contributing to upwards of 10% TEE. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the interaction between TEF and exercise on TEE in moderately active females. METHODS: A sample population was established with the use of a health history questionnaire (HHQ). Ten active females of normal body composition, determined by body mass index (BMI) and a dual energy absorptiometry x-ray (DEXA) scan, participated in the study. Maximal aerobic …

Effects Of Positive Feedback On Oxygen Consumption And Heart Rate During A 3-Minute Step Test, Leighann Dewitt

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The positive effects of enhanced expectancies on motor performance and learning have been demonstrated by numerous studies. A more recent study by Stoate, Wulf, and Lewthwaite (2012) showed than enhancing one's expectancy by giving positive feedback increased movement efficiency and decreased oxygen consumption in experienced runners during a 20 minute running test at 75% of max oxygen consumption, compared to those who received no feedback. The purpose of the present study was to test if enhancing expectancies can improve movement efficiency (i.e., reduce oxygen consumption) during a sub-maximal exercise test. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups, enhanced …

Relationship Between Total Body Mass, Fat-Free Mass, Fat Mass, And Bone Mineral Density Of The Hip In Middle-Age Women: The Roles Of Diet, Physical Activity, And Menopause, Elizabeth Reid Fosson

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between hip bone mineral density (BMD), fat free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), and total body mass (TBM) and the extent to which these relationships were modified by various confounding factors. The cross-sectional analysis included 262 healthy females (mean age 41.6±3.0 years). Methods: BMD of the hip and body composition were assessed by the Hologic 4500W dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) system. Total and intensity of physical activity (PA) were objectively measured using an Actigraph accelerometer. Dietary calcium and vitamin D from food and beverages, as well as from supplements, were …

A Comparison Of Two Tape Techniques On Navicular Drop And Center Of Pressure Measurements, Krista M. Prusak

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Foot over-pronation, attributable to Tibialis Posterior (TP) muscle weakness, is a possible cause of medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS)3. Taping may provide a viable alternative for a dysfunctional TP and its associated navicular drop (ND). The most commonly used Augmented LowDye (ALD) technique has shown to prevent ND, but is time- and cost- intensive, leading us to explore an alternative technique. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a new, anti-pronation (AP) taping technique, as compared to the ALD, to (a) reduce or prevent ND and (b) cause a lateral shift in the center of …

The Development Of A New Protocol To Assess Performance Measure In Sports, Michelle Norris, Sarah Breen, Ross Anderson, Ian Kenny

Conference Presentations

No abstract provided.

A Study To Investigate The Reliability And Consistency Of The Sports Tutor Tennis Cube Velocity, Trajectory And Landing Points, Michelle Norris, Sarah Breen, Ross Anderson, Ian Kenny

Conference Presentations

No abstract provided.

Influence Of A Short-Term, Multicomponent Intervention On Balance And Strength Among The Elderly, Pamela C. Webert

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Background: Few studies have combined strength and balance training to assess improvement of activities of daily living among subjects over the age of 65. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate how an eight-week balance and strength training program can lead to improvements in activities of daily living among elderly individuals.

Methods: The subjects consisted of 14 elderly women and 3 elderly men who were all residents of an independent living community. There were 10 subjects in the intervention group and 7 subjects in the control group. The intervention group participated in a supervised balance and strength …

Effects Of Vibration On Vertical And Joint Stiffness In Ankle Instability And Healthy Subjects, Mark J. Coglianese

Theses and Dissertations

Some have suggested acute increases in musculotendinous stiffness (k) following whole body vibration (WBV). Others propose that chronic ankle instability (CAI) may alter k of the lower extremity. Changes in proprioceptive activity and/or gamma motoneuron activation post-WBV and/or due to CAI could lead to alterations in k. However, little is known about acute effects of WBV on k and less is known about changes in k with CAI. PURPOSE: Assess differences in vertical and joint k between healthy and CAI subjects during single-limb landings and detect alterations in k measures post-vibration. METHODS: Subjects were identified as CAI via the FAAM, …

Accelerometry Cut Points For Physical Activity In Underserved African Americans, Nevelyn N. Trumpeter, Hannah G. Lawman, Dawn K. Wilson, Russell R. Pate, M Lee Van Horn, Alicia K. Tate

Faculty Publications

Background: Despite their increased use, no studies have examined the validity of Actical accelerometry cut points for moderate physical activity (PA) in underserved (low-income, high-crime), minority populations. The high rates of chronic disease and physical inactivity in these populations likely impact the measurement of PA. There is growing concern that traditionally defined cut points may be too high for older or inactive adults. The present study aimed to determine the self-selected pace associated with instructions to “walk for exercise” and the corresponding accelerometry estimates (e.g., Actical counts/minute) for underserved, African American adults.

Method: Fifty one participants (61% women) had a …