Exercise Science Commons^™

Autistic Young Adults' Experiences And Recommendations For Strength Training, Ashlyn Barry, Justin A. Haegele, Daniel Schaefer, Kristen A. Pickett, Luis Columna

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Strength training can be a beneficial form of physical activity (PA), but little research has examined how autistic individuals experience it or what makes programs accessible and supportive. Therefore, the purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to explore autistic young adults’ experiences with strength training, and (2) examine their recommendations for designing programs that meet their needs. Thirteen autistic young adults (ages 22–25) participated in semi-structured interviews about their strength training experiences and preferences for program design. A qualitative descriptive approach with a constructivist lens guided reflexive analysis. Participants described key factors that influenced their participation in strength training, …

The Efficacy Of Physical Activity Or Exercise Among Individuals With Cerebral Palsy: An Umbrella Review Of Systematic Reviews, Majed M. Alhumaid, Faris Yahya I. Asiri, Mohamed A. Said, Justin A. Haegele

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Introduction

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood disability, affecting 1.5-3 per 1000 live births. Physical exercises have been shown to improve muscle and limb outcomes in CP. This systematic review critically appraises existing systematic reviews on the effects of physical activity and exercise on physical, functional, and psychosocial outcomes in individuals with CP compared to those without.

Methods

Using a PICO framework, the question was: In patients with CP, do physical activity and exercise improve muscle- and limb-related outcomes compared to no intervention or usual care? PubMed, Cochrane, ISI Web of Science, and Embase were searched for systematic …

Impact Of Aerobic Exercise On Cardiometabolic Health In Patients With Diabesity: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Sameer Badri Al-Mhanna, Barry A. Franklin, John M. Jakicic, Emmanuel Stamatakis, Linda S. Pescatello, Deborah Riebe, Walter R. Thompson, James S. Skinner, Sheri R. Colberg, Jonathan K. Ehrman, George S. Metsios, Norsuhana Omar, Nouf H. Alkhamees, Bodor Bin Sheeha, Abdullah F. Alghannam, Alexios Batrakoulis

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Purpose

This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise on cardiometabolic health-related indices in patients with type 2 diabetes and concurrent overweight/obesity (diabesity).

Methods

PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched from inception to October 2024. The search strategy included the following keywords: diabetes, aerobic exercise, and endurance training. RCTs comparing aerobic exercise training ≥2 weeks in duration to standard treatment were considered eligible. Participants were adults with diabesity.

Results

A total of 1391 middle-aged/older adult patients (55 % females) were included …

Impact Of High-Intensity Interval Training On Cardiometabolic Health In Patients With Diabesity: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Sameer Badri Al-Mhanna, Barry A. Franklin, Mark A. Tarnopolsky, John A. Hawley, John M. Jakicic, Emmanuel Stamatakis, Jonathan P. Little, Linda S. Pescatello, Deborah Riebe, Walter R. Thompson, James S. Skinner, Sheri R. Colberg, Jonathan K. Ehrman, George S. Metsios, Helen T. Douda, Norsuhana Omar, Abdullah F. Alghannam, Alexios Batrakoulis

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Aims This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiometabolic health-related outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity (diabesity).

Methods PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched from inception up to November 2024. The search strategy encompassed the following keywords: diabetes, obesity, and HIIT. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) recruiting adult participants with diabesity and comparing HIIT per se for ≥ 2 weeks in duration with non-exercise standard treatment were included.

Results A total of 18 RCTs qualified involving 504 patients (52/48 women/men …

Contemporary Normative Values For Five Common Static Standing Tasks On Firm And Compliant Floor Surfaces In Children Two To Thirteen Years, Nancy Darr

Funded Scholarship

Background/Objectives: Static upright tasks, including standing unsupported (SU), eyes closed (SEC), feet together (SFT), tandem (TS), and single limb (SLS), are routinely examined in children and are included in many norm-referenced measures. Existing normative values for these standing tasks may not apply to contemporary children and have not been established across wide age ranges. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate developmental trajectories of and relationships between four static standing positions (SPs [SU, SFT, TS, SLS]) in children aged 2 through 13 years who are developing typically. The effects of altered sensory input, including floor surface (firm and …

In-Person Versus Peer-Coordinated Virtual Health Coaching For Metabolic And Behavioral Outcomes In Women In Sober Living Facilities, Craig R. Witt

Dissertations

Background: Women in early recovery from substance use disorder often face metabolic health vulnerabilities, yet physical health behaviors are frequently under-emphasized in sober living settings. Feasible and accessible wellness strategies are needed to support both behavioral and metabolic health in this population.

Purpose: To compare the effects of professionally delivered in-person health coaching versus peer-coordinated virtual health coaching on metabolic outcomes and health-promoting behaviors among women in sober living facilities.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 32 women enrolled in a 12-week group-based health coaching program focused on nutrition, physical activity, and stress management; 18 completed post-intervention assessments (in-person: n = …

Protein Ingestion And High-Intensity Resistance Training Decrease Respiratory Exchange Ratio Following Exercise In Females Across Various Body Compositions., Lynnsey Bowling

Dissertations

Metabolic dysfunction is associated with excess adipose tissue and interventions to elicit improvements to body composition could combat these health consequences. Acute nutritional and exercise strategies have the potential to shift metabolic processes toward those favoring fat oxidation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) and pre-exercise protein (PRO) ingestion on post-exercise respiratory exchange ratio (RER) in lean (LN) and overweight (OW) females. Twenty recreationally-active females (LN: n =10; OW: n = 10) completed two experimental sessions, consisting of HIRT and two acute nutritional interventions: PRO and placebo (PLA). RER was analyzed …

Astaxanthin Supplementation Does Not Significantly Alter Cognitive Performance Following Mental Fatigue In Females, Gavin A. Barker

Dissertations

Mental fatigue (MF) is a psychobiological state caused by prolonged periods of demanding cognitive activity, often characterized by impairments to cognitive performance. Astaxanthin (AX) is a naturally occurring antioxidant that can cross the blood-brain barrier and may preserve cognition when presented with a MF challenge. As yet, no studies have yet been conducted in an all-female cohort. This is the first study to investigate 4-weeks of AX supplementation on markers of cognitive performance (reaction time (RT), speed, and responses correct per second (RCS), visual analog scale of mental exertion (VAS-E)) following acute MF. Twenty-five recreationally active female subjects (AX: n …

The Impact Of University Engagement On Psychosocial Factors Among Division I Female Student-Athletes, Ashley A. Cook

Dissertations

Background: Female student-athletes navigate unique psychosocial challenges balancing academics and athletics, yet limited research has explored the impact of university engagement on their social and emotional well-being. This study examines the impact of university engagement on sense of social fit (SSF), nonspecific psychological distress (NPD), and loneliness among Division I female student-athletes.

Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among female student-athletes (n = 111) from eight sports at a mid-sized NCAA Division I university in the Southern U.S. Participants completed validated measures using the SSF scale, UCLA Loneliness scale, and Kessler-6 Psychological Distress scale. An exploratory factor analysis was performed …

Comparison Of Post-Exercise Lipid Oxidation Rates Between Lower And 1 Upper-Body Resistance Training In Well-Trained Females, Alyssa L. Parten

Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Lipid oxidation (LOx) is a relevant physiological process linked to metabolic health. Despite growing interest in resistance training (RT) as a means to influence substrate utilization LOx responses in females remain poorly characterized, with no study examining whether lower- and upper body RT elicits different LOx patterns during the recovery period following exercise. This distinction may  be relevant because lower-body exercises involves greater fat-free mass (FFM) and energy expenditure,  whereas upper-body exercises recruit less FFM, potentially influencing metabolic effects.

PURPOSE: To  determine if LOx rates after exercise differ between lower- and upper-body RT in well-trained females.

METHODS: Twenty-two females …

Menstrual Cycle Phase Exerts No Influence On Running Economy Parameters In Recreational Female Runners, Savanna K. Knight

Dissertations

Hormonal fluctuations that occur throughout the menstrual cycle (MC) have been shown to affect substrate utilization and oxygen uptake when running. These MC induced changes could manifest as altered running economy (RE) when expressed as energy cost (Ec) and oxygen cost (O2c). Therefore, the current study aimed to determine if RE differs between MC phases, the early follicular phase (E-FP) and the mid-luteal phase (M-LP). Twelve eumenorrheic female recreational runners (ages 25 ± 4y; VO2peak 40.9±4.6 ml/kg/min) completed submaximal RE bouts (60%, 70%, 80% of VO2peak) during the E-FP and M-LP. During each bout, oxygen consumption (VO2), respiratory exchange ratio …

Beyond Strong: A Phenomenology Of Women Executives And The Connection Between Leadership And Fitness, Nozomi Bullock

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Senior-level executive leaders’ work in a dynamic, competitive, 24/7 business environment can be physically rigorous, mentally demanding, and emotionally isolating. The same holds true for women pursuing senior-level leadership roles in corporate America. Women who achieve and succeed in such roles remain the minority: Outsiders in elite spaces who are held to higher standards and overly scrutinized. Among senior-level executive women leaders, those committed to a fitness and training regimen including weightlifting constitute an even smaller minority. Senior-level executive roles require stamina, resilience, and courage—qualities that make up the foundation of the mindset of fitness and strength training (Foyster et …

Proactive Use Of Perturbation Training On Balance And Posture Control In Geriatric Rehabilitation- An Experimental Study, Reema Joshi, Kinjal Shah

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background:

Ageing is a complex process involving a range of variables that interact to cause deterioration of various physiological functions.

Objectives:

Study attempts to find effect of Perturbation training on postural control upon Centre of Gravity (COG) sway velocity in older individuals using modified-Clinical Test of Sensory Integration on Balance (mCTSIB) component on NeuroCom Balance master® and Timed up and go(TUG) test.

Methods:

An experimental study, employing a pre-post intervention model, involved 30 individuals aged 65-85 years with mild to moderate fall risk was conducted at Tertiary Hospital, Pune from August 2022 to January 2023. Perturbation Training was given …

Factors Affecting Sport-Related Concussion Non-Disclosure In Women's Rugby-A Multi-Country Qualitative Analysis, Lisa Ryan, Ed Daly, Katherine Hunzinger

Department of Exercise Science Faculty Papers

Background and Objectives: Collision-sport athletes, such as rugby players, are at risk of sport-related concussion (SRC). Women are known to be at higher risk of SRC and may experience more severe and chronic symptomology than men. Knowledge of the factors that affect a player’s disclosure of their concussive symptoms could help to inform strategies to improve compliance with reporting and management of head injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that may impact women rugby players’ disclosure of a concussion. Methods: Twenty-eight adult (≥18 years of age) elite and semi-elite women rugby players from the UK …

Programmatic Accreditation: Implementation Strategies For College Kinesiology Program Directors, Kworweinski Lafontant

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Programmatic accreditation within Kinesiology sub-disciplines, such as physical therapy and sports medicine, have typically been required at the graduate level. Within the coming decade, major certifications for exercise physiology (ACSM-EP) and strength & conditioning (CSCS) will institute programmatic accreditation requirements at the undergraduate level. This article takes a narrative review approach at examining ways that programmatic accreditation at the undergraduate level may impact incoming undergraduate students, such as necessitating earlier specialization and limiting the ability for late-stage career changes. To mitigate these impacts, college kinesiology program directors may benefit from considering the perspectives of students as they work to meet …

Game On! A Comparative Analysis Of External Load In Division Iii Soccer Players Across Gender And Position, Bianca J. De Lucia, Daniel M. Smith, Ashima Fillbach, Mary K. Feit

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Global positioning systems have been used increasingly in sports science due to their ability to quantify external loads of athletes during competitions and practices. Limited research has examined gender differences in external load throughout a collegiate soccer season. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare game workloads across collegiate men (MSOC) and women (WSOC) soccer players. Division III MSOC and WSOC players wore GPS devices during games throughout a 15-week season. METHODS: Metrics analyzed from GPS data were: total distance (TD), sprint distance (SD), number of deceleration efforts (decel) (>-3 m/s²), number of acceleration efforts (accel) ( …

The Relationship Between International Tennis Association Rankings And Total Athleticism Score In Collegiate Athletes, Ryne Yamashiro, Paulette Yamada, Trevor Short

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Training tennis athletes for peak athletic performance may translate to enhanced on-court performance, resulting in higher rankings. However, the specific trainable tennis attributes that account for the variance in International Tennis Association (ITA) remain elusive. ITA Rankings are calculated based on how a collegiate tennis athlete performs whereby their rankings will change based on wins or losses and scores against their opponents ITA Ranking. A lower ITA Ranking (closer to 1) indicates a higher ranked tennis player. Holistic athletic profiling can be performed by assessing multiple key performance indicators, with the total athleticism score (TAS) being utilized to …

Grip Strength As An Indicator Of Neuromuscular Recovery, Emily Wilhelm

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Purpose: To evaluate whether grip strength accurately tracks recovery from lower-body exercise comparable to other physical tests and a blood biomarker. Methods: Six subjects (three males and three females) completed testing for estimated 1-RM, jump squat velocity, grip strength, creatine kinase and leg extension peak torque one day prior to a fatiguing session of 10 sets of squats for 10 repetitions at 60% of estimated 1-RM. Each of these tests, as well as ratings of muscular soreness were performed again 24, 48 and 72 hours after the session of squats. Results: For peak torque, the 24 hours (129.5± 35.0 …

Advocating For Occupational Therapy Intervention With In-House Athletics, Jatia Littles, Cynthia Haynes

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Occupational therapists (OT) have the opportunity to work with athletes by outsourcing through orthopedic centers with professional leagues such as the National Football League (NFL) (Jobs in Sports, 2022) but rarely do you see OTs within the sports complex working in-house. Although many studies go into great detail on the benefits of occupational therapy during the rehabilitation process, there are only a limited number of studies that explore occupational therapy intervention in athletics (Andreas et al., 2021). This project designed and implemented an occupational therapy-focused advocacy project that involves informing interprofessional sports faculty on the benefits of OTs being a …

A011: Effects Of Aerobic Exercise On Microbiota: Gut-Brain Axis And Hippocampal Neurotransmitters In Aging Mice, Yuqian Liu, Wenqian Yang, Haitao Wang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Background/Objective: Gut flora plays an important role in host stress response, anxiety, depression and cognitive function through the gut-brain axis. Microbial diversity decreases with age, which in turn affects the function of the nervous system. The role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of age-related diseases and neurodegenerative diseases has received increasing attention. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the regulatory role of intestinal flora, gut-brain axis and nervous system function in the prevention of nervous system function decline in the elderly.

Methods: The sample consisted of 16, 52-week-old SPF C57BL/6 male mice that were randomly divided …