Exercise Science Commons^™

Social Support And Mental Toughness As Predictors Of Perceived Stress Among College Kinesiology Students, Jianmin Guan, Wan Xiang Yao, Xiaofen D. Hamilton, Gaofeng Lu

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Drawing on Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional theory of stress and coping, this study examined the associations of age, gender, three types of social support (family, friends, and significant others), and mental toughness with two dimensions of perceived stress (helplessness and coping inefficacy) among 666 college students majoring in Kinesiology. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that male college students, as well as those with higher levels of mental toughness and family support, reported significantly lower levels of helplessness and coping inefficacy in managing stress. Additionally, greater support from friends was significantly associated with lower levels of coping inefficacy, while younger students …

Gender Differences In College Students’ Physical Activity Self-Efficacy, Social Comparison Beliefs, And External Frames Of Reference, Ken Murfay, Sarah Pyszczynski, Sarah Collins

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

This study examined whom college-aged individuals believe observing would more likely increase their physical activity self-efficacy (PASE) for a physical skill, whom they are more likely to compare their abilities to within a physical education (PE) class, how often they compare themselves to others in PE, and what students’ PASE scores were. Based on the mean scores for each question, students were more likely to compare themselves to a student than a teacher, friend than a non-friend, and similar or higher skilled peer than a lower skilled peer. To increase students’ confidence for a physical skill, students had higher levels …

International Society Of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Effects Of Dietary Antioxidants On Exercise And Sports Performance, Drew E. Gonzalez, Broderick L. Dickerson, Brandon M. Roberts, Jennifer A. Kurtz, Adam M. Gonzalez, Matthew J. Mcallister, Jeffrey L. Heileson, Richard J. Bloomer, Shawn M. Arent, Darren G. Candow, Jeffrey R. Stout, Karen A. Hecht, Bill Campbell, Chad M. Kerksick, Douglas Kalman, Jose Antoino, Richard B. Kreider

Faculty Publications

Following a comprehensive review, the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) has developed an official position on the role of dietary antioxidants in exercise and sport. Antioxidants play a complex, context-dependent role in vivo; they can facilitate recovery from exercise but may also hinder training adaptations when consumed at supraphysiological doses. While endogenous antioxidant systems can effectively maintain redox balance, dietary sources, particularly whole foods, can help mitigate excessive oxidative stress following intense/heavy training or inadequate recovery. The influence of dietary antioxidants depend on timing, dosage, type, and individual factors. The ISSN’s official position encompasses the following: (1) Redox balance …

Obesogenic Behaviors During Structured Periods Among Children And Adolescents With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Keagan P. Kiely, Keith Brazendale, Mckenna Hill, Sarah Burkart, Michael Beets Med, Mph, Phd, Elizabeth L. Adams Phd, Bridget Armstrong, Christine St. Laurent, Abigail L. Hogan Ph.D., James W. White Iii, Olivia Finnegan, Joshua Culverhouse, Anthony Holmes, Robert Glenn Weaver Med, Phd

Faculty Publications

Background:

Children and adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are at greater risk for obesity and poor obesogenic behaviors (e.g., physical activity, screen time, diet, sleep) than their typically developing counterparts. The Structured Days Hypothesis (SDH) suggests that in typically developing children and adolescents, obesogenic behaviors worsen during periods of reduced structure (e.g., weekend or summer vacation). However, children and adolescents with IDD have unique factors that may alter how structure (i.e., pre-planned, segmented, adult supervised, out-of-home programs) influences obesogenic behaviors. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to examine obesogenic behaviors during periods of more …

The Promise Of Mindfulness-Based Interventions: A Stress-Reduction Strategy For Testicular Cancer Survivors' Health-Related Quality Of Life, Michael J. Rovito, Colin F. Mahony, Kamalie Thomas, Keith Brazendale, Ciaran Fairman Ph.D., Cscs, Cet

Faculty Publications

Background: Testicular cancer (TC) disproportionately affects younger men and carries unique psychosocial and physiological consequences that extend well beyond treatment. Despite favorable survival rates, TC survivors frequently report diminished health-related quality of life (HRQoL). These burdens are often compounded by masculinity-related identity disruptions, fear of recurrence, sexual dysfunction, and a lack of tailored psychosocial support. Existing interventions remain limited, with most programs focused on physical rehabilitation or early detection. Few address the multidimensional stressors that shape the TC survivorship experience.

Aims: This narrative review examines the literature on HRQoL among TC survivors and evaluates the potential of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) …

Association Of Body Fatness With Hypertension, Dyslipidemia, And Myocardial Infarction In A Multinational Pooled Cohort, Vivek Kumar Prasad, Chibueze Ogbonnaya, Hannah Oh, Andrew Atkin, Madison Kindred, Min-Jeong Shin, Dahyun Park, Jin Eui Kim, Mike Loosemore, Vartika Saxena, Ryan Porter, Courtney Kipps, Jason Jaggers, Xuemei Sui M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., Carl J. Lavie, Mark Hamer

Faculty Publications

Objective

Methods

Results

Effects Of A Carbohydrate + Caffeine Beverage On Game Performance, Blood Glucose And Perceived Effort In Collegiate Women Soccer Players, Andrew Jagim, Abby Ambrosius, Makenna Carpenter, Joesi Krieger, Lochlan Charley, Jennifer Fields, Margaret T. Jones, Chad Kerksick

Faculty Scholarship

Carbohydrate availability and caffeine ingestion have been shown to elicit improvements in performance independently of one another. The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of a carbohydrate + caffeine beverage on performance and perceived effort in soccer players. Forty-three collegiate women’s soccer athletes were recruited to participate during a single day of simulated match play, in which each team played once. Athletes consumed either a carbohydrate + caffeine (Experimental) beverage or a control (Control) beverage (flavored water) during half-time in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized control trial design. Prior to and after each game, Ratings of Perceived Exertion …

International Society Of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Effects Of Dietary Antioxidants On Exercise And Sports Performance, Drew E. Gonzalez, Broderick L. Dickerson, Brandon M. Roberts, Jennifer A. Kurtz, Hunter S. Waldman, Adam M. Gonzalez, Matthew J. Mcallister, Jeffery L. Heileson, Richard J. Bloomer, Shawn M. Arent, Darren G. Candow, Jeffrey R. Stout, Karen A. Hecht, Bill Campbell, Chad Kerksick, Douglas Kalman, Jose Antonio, Richard B. Kreider

Faculty Scholarship

Following a comprehensive review, the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) has developed an official position on the role of dietary antioxidants in exercise and sport. Antioxidants play a complex, context-dependent role in vivo; they can facilitate recovery from exercise but may also hinder training adaptations when consumed at supraphysiological doses. While endogenous antioxidant systems can effectively maintain redox balance, dietary sources, particularly whole foods, can help mitigate excessive oxidative stress following intense/heavy training or inadequate recovery. The influence of dietary antioxidants depend on timing, dosage, type, and individual factors. The ISSN’s official position encompasses the following: (1) Redox balance …

Effects Of Leucine Supplementation On Athletic Performance, Central Fatigue, And Serum Metabolism In Endurance Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial And Targeted Metabolomics Study, Tieying Li, Wei Xu, Jun Chen, Zhaobo Kan, Xuemei Sui, Zhiguang Zhao, Qirong Wang

Faculty Publications

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the effects of 6 weeks of leucine supplementation on athletic performance, central fatigue, and serum metabolome in endurance athletes, and to provide valuable insights into nutritional strategies for endurance athletes. Methods: Twenty cross-country skiers were recruited and randomized into 2 groups: the placebo (PLA) group and the leucine (LEU) group. Subjects were given leucine (8.5 g) + sucrose (14 g) or only sucrose (14 g) supplements twice each day from Monday to Saturday for 6 weeks. Test parameters include body composition, aerobic capacity, isokinetic muscle strength, blood biochemistry, and targeted metabolomics. Results: After intervention, compared …

More Than A Prescription: The Need For Behavioral Theory To Guide Exercise Interventions For Osteoarthritis - A Narrative Review, Christine Pellegrini, Lisa C. Carlesso, Daniel K. White

Faculty Publications

Objective

Design

Results

Supervised Resistance Training In An Individual With Glioblastoma Undergoing Chemoradiation: A Case Report, Bruce Nakfoor, Ciaran Fairman Ph.D., Cscs, Cet

Faculty Publications

Introduction:

Exercise has demonstrated safety and efficacy in mitigating treatment-related symptoms across cancer populations; however, evidence in neuro-oncology remains limited, particularly during active chemoradiation.

Methods:

We report the case of a 63-year-old individual with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, experiencing symptoms of fatigue, balance issues, headaches, and memory loss, who initiated a 12-week supervised resistance training program during concurrent chemoradiation. Assessments at baseline and post-intervention included physical function and quality-of-life outcomes.

Results:

Adherence was 56% (20/36 sessions), and no adverse events occurred. The patient showed improvements in 6-minute walk distance and short physical performance battery score that exceeded established minimal clinically important …

Strength In Numbers: Exploring The Link Between Upper Body Muscular Strength And Academic Achievement In Youth, Julian A. Reed, Marsha Dowda Drph, Russell R. Pate Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between upper body strength and endurance (UMSE) and academic achievement in youth.

Design

Cross-sectional study included 5th (N = 25,025) and 8th grade (N = 14,988) students in South Carolina.

Methods

Academic achievement was measured using a statewide assessment and classified into two categories (meets/exceeds standards or does not meet/approaches standards). Achievement in mathematics and English Language Arts was assessed. UMSE was measured as part of the South Carolina FitnessGram project and expressed as Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) or Needs Improvement – Health Risk. Student demographic characteristics were derived …

Cv: Sterling Richards, Sterling Richards

Health Sciences Department Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Dual-Task Effects On Spatiotemporal, Kinematic, And Kinetic Parameters And Their Variability During Running, Hsiang-Ling Teng, Jo Armour Smith, Will F.W. Wu

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Running in real-world environments often requires using cognitive resources simultaneously with the motor task (dual tasking, DT). Limited existing evidence suggests that DT reduces running speed. Movement variability is essential for a healthy, adaptable motor system. DT has been shown to affect movement variability during walking. Nonetheless, it remains unclear how DT affects spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters and their variability during running.

Research question

Does DT affect spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic measures and their variability during running? Does running speed influence DT effects?

Methods

Thirty-one asymptomatic runners participated in this cross-sectional study. Three-dimensional running biomechanics were recorded while …

20% Caloric Restriction Did Not Impact Bone Health Nor Exercise-Induced Elevations In Bone Mass In Young Female Rats, Ken D. Sumida, Brady Slater, Haley Folta, Kassandra Lee, Sarina Karwande, Quinton Wong, S. Victoria Jaque, Frank Frisch

Health Sciences and Kinesiology Faculty Articles

The purpose of this study was to determine if a 6-week 20% caloric restrictive (CR) diet, with or without resistance training, would impact bone health in growing young female rats. Forty female rats (~ 5 wks old) were randomly divided into the following groups: baseline (n = 8), sedentary fed a normal diet (N, n = 8), sedentary fed a 20% CR diet (D, n = 8), resistance trained fed a normal diet (NT, n = 8), and resistance trained fed a 20% CR diet (DT, n = 8). The exercise groups were conditioned to climb a vertical ladder …

Wavelet-Based Mechanomyographic Intensity Responses To Sustained Tasks Anchored To Low Versus High Ratings Of Perceived Exertion, Dolores G. Ortega, Robert W. Smith, Jocelyn E. Arnett, Tyler J. Neltner, Trevor D. Roberts, Justin S. Pioske, Richard J. Schmidt, Terry J. Housh

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Purpose: This study examined the effects of sustained, isometric forearm flexion tasks anchored to ratings of perceived exertion of 2 (RPE2_FT) versus 8 (RPE8_FT) on the wavelet-based mechanomyographic (MMG) intensity responses from pretest and posttest maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) as well as the time course of changes in the MMG intensity responses throughout the sustained tasks. Methods: Eleven men (mean±SD: age=20.9±2.3 yrs) performed MVICs before and after the sustained tasks. The wavelet analyses decomposed the MMG signals onto a set of 11 wavelet bands (WBs). Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to analyze the MMG intensity …

A196: Prediction Of Cardiovascular Function Improvement Based On Wearable Device Motion Monitoring And Otnmanba-Bilstm Model, Yixuan Li, Lan Zheng

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading chronic health conditions worldwide, with prolonged physical inactivity or improper exercise increasing the risk of their occurrence. Existing studies suggest that well-structured exercise interventions can significantly enhance cardiac function and improve the adaptability of the cardiovascular system. However, accurately predicting the long-term impact of different exercise durations and intensities on heart health remains challenging due to individual physiological differences, exercise habits, and lifestyle factors. This study employs a data-driven approach to develop a predictive model based on wearable device motion monitoring data, aiming to elucidate the dynamic relationship between exercise and cardiovascular health and …

A197: Perceptual Behavior And Social Interaction Of Chinese College Students Toward Esports, Xianhua Luo

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Social exchange theory (SET) has been extensively used to recognize students’ perceptual behavior (PB) and social interaction (SI). Research has examined the potential factors of recognition and socialization against the economic factors in individual evaluation, seeking rewards or avoiding costs in relationships. The positive impact of PB and SI is a significant experimental approach to studying social psychology. Therefore, the processes of individuals’ perceptual behavior and their social interactions in Esports might address this research gap. Hence, the purposes of this study were to explain the PBs and SIs toward Esports among college students in China. Method: 341college students were …

A214: Effects Of Tai Chi And Brisk Walking On Sensation In Pn Elders, Qiongqiu Zhao, Qipeng Song

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a prevalent neurological disorder, affecting 26–39.2% of adults aged 65 and older due to peripheral nerve degeneration and associated conditions like diabetes. PN leads to sensory impairments, including diminished tactile sensation, increased fall risk, and mobility issues. Tai Chi (TC) is a low-impact exercise shown to enhance sensory function and balance in healthy older adults, but its effects on PN patients remain unclear. Brisk walking (BW) is a widely recommended exercise for older adults, yet its impact on sensory function in PN is not well-established. This study compares TC and BW interventions on tactile sensation in …

A088: Best Core Stability Training Program For Lower Limb Dysfunction In Stroke Patients: A Network Meta-Analysis, Kaiqi Zheng, Dan Wang, Guoliang Liang, Chunyun Deng

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Stroke is the third leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death among adults. Lower limb dysfunction caused by stroke significantly impairs patients' quality of life. Numerous studies have demonstrated that core stability training (CST) can effectively improve lower limb function in stroke patients, and combining CST with other rehabilitation approaches may yield better therapeutic outcomes. This study aims to identify the most effective CST-based combined intervention for treating lower limb dysfunction in stroke patients. Method: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to July 22, 2024, were searched from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, …