Exercise Science Commons^™

Effects Of A Remote Exercise Intervention On Aerobic Endurance In Individuals With Down Syndrome, Andrew Murata, Elena Wolf, Jonathan Crimm, Benjamin Lee

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: Down syndrome (Ds) or Trisomy 21 is a common genetic birth condition, and those with Ds typically display decreased cardiorespiratory fitness compared to those without Ds, potentially leading to an increased risk for cardiovascular conditions and mortality. Low cardiorespiratory fitness is partially caused by low physical activity levels in this population. The COVID-19 pandemic caused community-based activity programs to shut down, as individuals with Ds are at increased risk for COVID-19 hospitalization and death. Thus, it was vital to explore alternatives of in-person exercise during the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a …

Diurnal Regulation Of Exercise-Induced Myocardial Signaling And Transcription, Charli Aguilar

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: Exercise is well known for its many benefits on the body and most notably the heart. Recent emphasis, and significant resources, have been dedicated to elucidating the molecular mechanisms through which exercise exerts its pluripotent beneficial effects on health and the prevention of disease. A continuous evolution in this field has sought to modulate and optimize exercise in various ways to maximize the benefits. In recent years, a growing appreciation for the impact of circadian rhythms has gained traction and their influence on many essential biological functions have been integrated into exercise physiology (i.e. - chrono-exercise), as well as …

Feasibility Of A Hip Flexion Feedback System For Controlling Exercise Intensity And Tibia Axial Peak Accelerations During Treadmill Walking, Nuno Oliveira, Chuang-Yuan Chiu

Faculty Publications

The ability to meet high exercise intensities is limited by the increased risk of injury in some clinical populations. Previous studies have linked large tibia peak positive accelerations resulting from running to increased risk of developing lower-extremity injury. The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of using a hip flexion feedback system (HFFS) to meet and maintain different exercise intensities while maintaining low tibia axial accelerations. Ten healthy participants were tested on a HFFS test and an independent walking/running test to meet exercise intensities of 40% and 60% of heart rate reserve (HRR). During the HFFS test, …

Exercise In The Heat: Perceptual Measures In Hydrated And Dehydrated Conditions, John Kromer

Honors Scholar Theses

Introduction: Athletes, warfighters, and laborers are often exposed to extreme environmental conditions that can result in heat-related illnesses negatively impacting performance and productivity.

Purpose: To evaluate Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) from pre-trial to post-trial surrounding exercise in the heat. The secondary purpose was to compare post-trial measures between hydration status as well as environmental conditions.

Methods: Twenty-six male and female subjects performed four trials. Two trials were conducted in temperate conditions (24 ℃, 55% relative humidity) and two in extreme heat conditions (35 ℃, 55% relative humidity), in both hydrated and dehydrated conditions. The Profile of Moods States survey was …

The Effectiveness Of Using Motor Imagery As An Alternative To Exercise For Improving Mental Health, Madelyn Colbert

Undergraduate Research Symposium Podium Presentations

Exercise shown to improve mental health in variety of health histories. MIT shown to improve physical health in a variety of conditions when tested alone. Mental health problems and SUD have high comorbidity rates. Exercise shown to be effective recovery therapy for SUD.

Covid-19 Impact On The Hospitalization Rates For Eating Disorders, Jennifer Ess

Honors Theses

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact in a variety of ways. With the quarantine restrictions placed during this time, many individuals had turned to social media as an outlet to cope with the loss of intimate time with friends and outside family. This increase in social media use, especially Tik Tok and Instagram, can negatively impact a person's outlook on certain situations. Throughout this pandemic, mental health issues, specifically eating disorders, have shown a rise in cases during this time. Current research shows that numbers have more than doubled during pandemic times, and also shows many different factors that …

The Effects Of A Short Term Mindfulness Meditation Intervention On Arousal, Perceived Exertion, And Affective Responses To High Intensity Interval Exercise, Macy Berghoff

Undergraduate Theses

Purpose: To determine the effects of a 2 week mindfulness meditation intervention on felt arousal state, perceived exertion, and post exercise affective states in response high intensity interval exercise. Methods: Participants (N = 17, 20.3 ± 1.2 yr) completed baseline exercise testing and were then randomly assigned to a mindfulness meditation treatment group (MF) or a reading active control group (RC). Participants completed two weeks (70 total minutes) of their assigned intervention, then completed the same exercise testing protocol at post testing. Outcome variables assessed were: Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE), Felt Arousal State (FAS), and 7 …

Effects Of Acute Exercise Intensity On Memory: Considerations Of Timing And Aerobic Endurance, William Meyers, Caroline Loeb, Mary Collins West, Bailey Bass

Honors Theses

The primary objective of this study was to find the optimal acute exercise intensity and post-exercise recovery time to enhance memory retention. A secondary objective of study was to evaluate the influence of aerobic endurance on memory and whether endurance capacity interacts with exercise intensity and post-exercise recovery period to influence memory performance. Participants were 54 undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Mississippi, with an age range of 18-23 years. Participants completed 13 visits in total. The first visit evaluated their aerobic endurance, with the remaining 12 visits including a 3 (Intensity: Control, Moderate, Vigorous) by 4 (Post-Exercise …

The Effect Of Foam-Rolling On Vertical Jump And Range Of Motion Of The Hip And Ankle, Katie Davis

Honors Theses

Foam-rolling (FR) has gained popularity among many fitness enthusiasts, but whether it is beneficial or not is still being investigated. A number of studies researched its effect on recovery for athletes such as runners and bodybuilders, but the effects of the foam-rolling process was only assessed following a workout. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of foam-rolling prior to activity and whether it enhanced performance for a vertical jump and/or range of motion (ROM) in the hip and ankle joints. Thirty-four subjects were recruited from Western Michigan University and performed all necessary conditions in the Human Performance Lab …

Skin Pigmentation And Arterial Stiffness In Young Health Black And White Adults, Zoe R. Lincoln

Honors College Theses

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is currently the leading cause of death worldwide, killing over half a million people in the US every year. This issue is only becoming more prominent, as both the world and US population are experiencing increased rates of CVD risk factors such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Black Americans specifically are experiencing increased rates of these risk factors, possibly due to lifestyle, socioeconomic, and genetic variables, ultimately leading to a higher prevalence of CVD in this population. One possible mechanism for this health disparity is racial differences in skin pigmentation, which can influence cardioprotective Vitamin …

Combining Physical And Mental Practices Of A Dart-Throwing Task Enhances Motor Learning And Impacts Psychological Skills, Joy Carlson, Hannah Walker, Mackenzie Manning, Hannah Dresner

Undergraduate Research Competition

Determining practical ways to improve motor skill learning is crucial to enhancing behavior. Combining Visualization technique with dart throwing practice could impact positively skill learning. This study aimed to investigate whether the combination of dart-throwing skill practice and visualization would enhance motor learning. Fifty-three participants were divided in two groups ([1] visualization + dart; [2] dart group). Groups performed pretest of 10 trials, followed by 60 practice trials (6 blocks of 10 throws) with 1-minute break between blocks. Importantly, the Visualization + dart group practiced visualization during the 1-min breaks between blocks, while the Dart group read a nutrition paper …

Association Of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Assessed Muscle Oxidative Capacity Between Collegiate Cross-Country Athletes And College Students, James Brown, Riley Melton

Undergraduate Research Competition

Muscle oxidative capacity (MOC) is the maximum rate at which the muscle can utilize oxygen to meet the energy demand of exercise. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measurement of muscle oxygen uptake (mVO2) during brief arterial occlusions has shown to be a valid, reliable indicator of MOC, but is affected by aerobic fitness. It is unclear if the NIRS measurement can detect a difference in MOC in populations of varying aerobic fitness. The purpose is to compare MOC between collegiate cross-country runners and age-matched college students. Maximal oxygen uptake will be measured from an individualized treadmill test to characterize aerobic fitness. MOC …

Interlimb Asymmetries Differ Between Bilateral And Unilateral Countermovement Jump, Meghan Rea

2022 Student Academic Showcase

Measuring interlimb asymmetries is an important when evaluating injury risk and rehabilitation in athletes. PURPOSE: To compare the magnitude of interlimb asymmetries when performing a bilateral and unilateral CMJ. METHODS: Twenty-three female collegiate lacrosse athletes volunteered for this study. Athletes performed three bilateral CMJ and three unilateral CMJ using each leg. Data from the two jumps with highest height was averaged. Interlimb asymmetries were calculated as percent interlimb difference: (100/(maximum value)*(minimum value)*-1+100). RESULTS: Unilateral CMJ height revealed an average 12.2 ± 9.7% interlimb difference. Asymmetries were significantly different between CMJ styles when measuring peak breaking force, average breaking force, and …

Workloads Of Collegiate Female Lacrosse Athletes During A Division Ii National Championship Season, Paige Sutton

2022 Student Academic Showcase

There is a paucity of data on workloads in collegiate female lacrosse players. PURPOSE: Determine internal and external workloads of collegiate female lacrosse players. METHODS: Heart rate (HR), perceived exertion, and GPS data were analyzed from 19 collegiate female lacrosse players throughout an entire National Championship season. RESULTS: Except for average HR (p=0.494), workload variables were significantly less during training compared to games. Average practice duration was shorter than average gameday duration (p

Assessment Of Skeletal Muscle Characteristics In Female Collegiate Cheer Athletes, Amy Meyers, Esther Duncan, Blair Besancenez, Claire Gruenke, Petey Mumford

2022 Student Academic Showcase

PURPOSE: To examine training modalities and muscle architecture characteristics between legs in collegiate cheer athletes. METHODS: Thirteen female collegiate cheer athletes (19 ± 1 years, 164.3 ± 6.8 cm, 63.0 ± 10.2 kg) were assessed for anthropometrics, a survey to assess type of training outside of cheer practice, and B mode ultrasound on both legs during a single visit. All ultrasound images were analyzed at 50% of the vastus lateralis for muscle thickness (MT), pennation angle (PA), and fascicle length (FL). RESULTS: Type of exercise training outside of practice counts: endurance (2), resistance (2), mixed (6), and do not train …

Carbonyl Iron Vs Ferrous Sulfate On Blood Iron Markers In Male Division Iii Cross-Country Athletes, Sam Gunter

Student Scholar Showcase

Competitive distance runners are often predisposed to developing iron deficiency. This study aimed to determine if carbonyl iron was more effective at maintaining blood iron markers and minimizing overall fatigue and GI stress than ferrous sulfate. In this randomized, independent groups study, 7 male, division III cross-country athletes were supplemented with either carbonyl iron or ferrous sulfate for 6 weeks. Blood hemoglobin, hematocrit, subjective GI distress, subjective fatigue, and relative exertion of recent training were assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 weeks. Results will be analyzed via a detailed analysis of variance to determine significant differences in outcome measures. Statistical …

The Effects Of A Periodized Strength And Conditioning Program On Overhand Throwing Velocity, Underhand Throwing Velocity And Off The Bat Velocity In Diii Collegiate Athletes, Sage Jenkins

Undergraduate Distinction Papers

Overhand throwing velocity, underhand throwing velocity and off the bat velocity are measures that impact performance of softball athletes. The purpose of strength and conditioning programs is to improve athletic performance for athletes. Strength and conditioning coaches can achieve this through programming. One aspect of programming that this study looked at is periodization. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a periodized strength and conditioning program on these performance measurements in NCAA DIII collegiate softball athletes. Sixteen (n=16) NCAA DIII softball athletes were selected based on their participation on the Otterbein softball team. The athletes underwent …

The Validity Of Perceptual Recovery Status On Monitoring Recovery During A High-Intensity Back Squat Session, Nicholas Buoncristiani

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Adaptations to resistance training and subsequent performance can be undermined by inadequate inter-set recovery. This time between sets is often uniformly prescribed based on desired training outcomes; however, there is demonstrative evidence that recovery is highly individualized. Methods typically used to monitor recovery were developed for longitudinal use, making them cost- or time -inefficient within a bout of exercise. If valid, the perceptual recovery status (PRS) scale may be used as an efficient and inexpensive recovery assessment tool to monitor individual recovery as well as appropriately modify rest periods. Purpose: The aim of the current study was to assess the …

Changes In Health Behaviors By Gender During A Global Pandemic, Anthony Costarella

Celebration of Scholarship 2022

As we emerge from Covid-19 pandemic, many people struggle to return to normal, leading us to ask what changes have occurred as a result of the virus and social distancing. We have observed 471 million people suffer with Covid-19, lost 6.08 million lives to the virus, and learned how the virus works as well as how to fight it, yet very little is known about the impact of the virus and its countermeasures on our health habits. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of gender on changes in health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Eight hundred and sixty-six subjects (70.8% …

Do Changes In The Navy Physical Readiness Test Impact Performance?, Alison Colao

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The fitness level of our service members is of utmost importance due to the nature of their occupation. This study investigated whether changes to the Navy’s Physical Readiness Test (PRT) impact performance on the fitness test. Participants were college-aged males between the ages of 18 and 29 (n=20; 21.05±2.01 years; BMI 24.85± 2.74). Participants performed both the New PRT and Old PRT at two separate randomized visits. Protocols included push-ups, curl-ups (old version) or a forearm plank hold (new version), and a 1.5-mile run. At the end of each exercise, the participant’s heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) …