Exercise Science Commons^™

A Comparison Of Running Economy Across Seven Carbon-Plated Racing Shoes, Dustin P. Joubert, Garrett P. Jones

Faculty Publications

Background: Advancements in running shoe technology, particularly in the Nike Vaporfly, have been shown to improve running economy. Other brands have now also developed new, advanced shoes with a carbon-fiber plate and thicker, new midsole foams. However, none of these new shoes have been compared to the Vaporfly. Therefore, we compared the effects of 7 different carbon-plated shoes and 1 traditional racing shoe on running economy.

Methods: Seven carbon-plated shoes: Hoka-RocketX (HRX), Saucony-Endorphin Pro (SEP), Nike-Alphafly (NAF), Asics-Metaspeed Sky (AMS), Nike-Vaporfly2 (NVF2), New Balance-RC Elite (NBRC), Brooks-Hyperion Elite2 (BHE2), and one traditional shoe: Asics-Hyperspeed (AHS) were tested in 12 male …

The Relationship Between Rapid Weight Loss And Physical Performance In Combat Sports, Sean P. Cavey

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a relationship between rapid weight loss and physical performance in combat sports athletes. The inclusion criteria were rapid weight loss and physical performance effects among combat sports researched in the last 20 years. Phrases, as well as keywords, were searched using multiple databases. The keywords included mixed martial arts (MMA), judo, wrestling, taekwondo, boxing, studies that looked at multiple disciplines at once, and unspecified disciplines. Results of the literature review indicate that there are negative effects on performance due to rapid weight loss and dehydration in combat sports. Appendix …

The Effect Of Physical Activity On Stress In University Students, Faculty, And Staff And How The Covid-19 Pandemic Affected These Variables, Zachary Parisi

2021 Honors Symposium

INTRODUCTION
• Physical activity has been shown in both college aged and broader aged sample sizes as providing health benefits in different areas from mental functioning to increasing VO2 max.
• Changes in DASS-21 made it difficult to have a large enough sample size
• Students who meet the recommendations for vigorous physical activity were less likely to report poor mental health and perceived stress when compared to other students who did not meet those recommendations.
• Within 10 days of COVID-19 being declared a pandemic, there was a 5.5% decrease in mean steps, and within 30 days there was …

The Effects Of Interventions On The Physical And Mental Health Of Undergraduate Engineering Students In North America, Jillian Prince

2021 Honors Symposium

Background
• Stress-induced mental illnesses are common in many undergraduate engineering students
• These can include anxiety, depression, lack of motivation, poor self-regulation, and poor sleeping habits
• Ailments such as these result in decreased retention, lower grades, less cognitive understanding of material, and poor physical and mental health

Purpose
To investigate the effects of interventions on the physical and mental health of undergraduate engineering students in North America to determine what interventions are most successful.

Impact Of Activity Monitoring On Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, And Body Weight During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jacob E. Barkley, Gregory Farnell, Brianna Boyko, Brooke Turner, Ryan Wiet

2021 Faculty Bibliography

Decreases in individuals' physical activity and increases in sedentary behavior and bodyweight have been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study assessed the ability of physical activity monitoring, which may promote physical activity and discourage sedentary behavior, to mitigate these negative outcomes. An evaluation of university samples ( N = 404, 40.5 ± 15.4 years) of self-reported physical activity, sedentary behavior, and bodyweight prior to the closure of campus due to the pandemic in March of 2020 and again at the time of the survey administration (May-June 2020) during pandemic-related restrictions was performed. Participants also reported whether they did …

Changes In Health Behaviors During A Global Pandemic, Olivia Talamo

Senior Honors Projects

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the binding of SARS-CoV-2 to ACE-2 receptors. COVID-19 was first discovered in Wuhan, China in December of 2019 (CDC). By March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic. A COVID-19 infection can cause severe health consequences, including death. COVID-19 affects individuals of all ages. Individuals who are 60 years of age or older, and individuals with underlying medical conditions are considered vulnerable populations for severe consequences from COVID-19 infection (WHO). COVID-19 primarily spreads through physical contact. Respiratory droplets are produced from the nose and mouth when speaking, …

The Effect Of Aerobic Exercise On Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Literature Review, Delaney K. Cole

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects that aerobic exercise activities can have on various stereotypical behaviors found in children on the autism spectrum. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong, developmental disability that can impact how an individual communicates, behaves, as well as moves. Physical activity has long been implemented in the treatment plans of children with diagnoses along the autism spectrum; However, specific data relating to the impact of aerobic activity is quite scattered. Aerobic activities require the body to be able to take oxygen from the air around it and circulate it through the …

Examination Of Athlete Triad Symptoms Among Endurance-Trained Male Athletes: A Field Study, Erin M. Moore, Clemens Drenowatz, David F. Stodden, Kelly Pritchett, Thaddus C. Brodrick, Brittany T. Williams, Justin M. Goins, Toni M. Torres-Mcgehee

Faculty Publications

Studies examining the physiological consequences associated with deficits in energy availability (EA) for male athletes are sparse. To examine male athlete triad components; low energy availability (LEA) with or without an eating disorder risk (ED), reproductive hormone [testosterone (T)], and bone mineral density (BMD) in endurance-trained male athletes during different training periods. A cross-sectional design with 14 participants (age: 26.4 ± 4.2 years; weight: 70.6 ± 6.4 kg; height: 179.5 ± 4.3 cm; BMI: 21.9 ± 1.8 kg/m2) were recruited from the local community. Two separate training weeks [low (LV) and high (HV) training volumes] were used to collect the …

Implementation Of Brain Breaks(R) In The Classroom And Its Effects On Attitudes Towards Physical Activity In A Chinese School Setting, Ke Zhou, Sensen He, Yanli Zhou, Biljana Popeska, Garry Kuan, Li Chen, Ming-Kai Chin, Magdalena Mo Ching Mok, Christopher R. Edginton, Ian Culpan, J. Larry Durstine

Faculty Publications

This study aimed to examine the effects of three-months of classroom-based Brain Breaks Physical Activity Solution (Brain Breaks®) on attitudes toward physical activity levels of primary school children in Henan Province, China. The participants were 704 children enrolled in grades 3–5 who were randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The experimental group participated in Brain Breaks® video intervention for 3–5 min daily, at low-to-moderate intensity for three consecutive months. The control group resumed their normal routine. The children’s attitudes in both groups towards physical activity (PA) were evaluated using the self-reported Attitudes toward Physical Activity Scale …

The Psychological Benefits Of A Remote Physical Activity Intervention In Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Madisyn T. Pelchat

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Previous studies found that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) tend to demonstrate poor health behaviors, including unhealthy nutrition habits and low physical activity (PA) levels. Growing research suggests the PA can improve ASD-related symptoms and attenuate the mental and physical adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, the stay-at-home order was put in place because of COVID-19, which negatively affected health behaviors in many individuals with ASD, including an increase in sedentary behavior and screen time and less PA participation. Prior research also has found that young adults with ASD are at a higher risk for obesity than their …

Hip-Shoulder Separation In The Javelin Throw And Its Relationship With Level Of Experience, Samantha Baker

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

The javelin throw is a technically-demanding sport and is excellent example of how the kinetic chain works starting with the landing of the drive foot (right foot) causing a chain reaction traveling up the knee to the hip, through the trunk, to the shoulder, the elbow, and then the wrist. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between thrower experience and the timing and degree of hip-shoulder separation in the javelin throw. A six-camera, three-dimensional motion capture system was used to capture a 27 reflective marker model of the movement of the lower body (pelvis, legs, and …

Kinematic Variations Between Successful And Unsuccessful Dynamic Rock Climbing Movements, Max R. Jarvis

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Rock climbing as a sport and leisure activity has grown exponentially in popularity in recent years. Claims of best technique for rock climbing have been made in guide books, but are unsubstantiated. Specific upper body characteristics, determinants of climbing skill, and injury prevalence have been evaluated, but research examining climbing-specific movements has remained largely unexamined. The purpose of this study was to determine the angular kinematics and center of mass (COM) characteristics of the two-handed dynamic climbing maneuver (dyno). Participants received three attempts to complete a dyno on a 15° overhanging bouldering wall (EPIC Adventures) that were recorded via camcorder …

The Effects Of Hip Rotation On Hip Abductor Muscle Activation During Lateral Band Walk Exercise, Gina M. Fritz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Lateral band walks (LBW) have been used to strengthen hip abductors and decrease risk of lower extremity injuries. Several methods have been used to complete this exercise to determine which has the best outcome. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare muscle activation of the gluteus medius (Gmed), gluteus maximus (Gmax), and tensor fasciae latae (TFL) during straight leg LBW exercises performed using three different hip positions: 30-degree internal rotation, 30-degree external rotation, and a neutral hip position. METHODS: Thirty-seven recreationally active participants (10 male, 27 female; age=21.4±2.2 yr; mass=71.4±13kg; height=1.7±0.1 m) completed this study. Surface EMG …

Skilled Throwing Performance: A Test Of The Optimal Theory, Jacquelyn V.L. Sertic, Jason M. Avedesian, James W. Navalta

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

The OPTIMAL theory of motor learning postulates that autonomy support (AS), enhanced expectancies (EE), and an external focus of attention (EF) facilitate improved motor learning and performance. However, its applicability to elite-level throwing athletes has not been investigated by previous literature. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the successive implementation of AS, EE, and EF factors on overhand throwing performance in elite collegiate softball athletes (14.44 ± 2.75 years of softball experience). The secondary purpose was to determine whether self-efficacy beliefs would be augmented by factor manipulation. Twenty-four participants threw softballs at a bullseye target during five …

Effects Of Resistance Training On Muscle Quality Index, Muscle Strength, Functional Capacity, And Serum Immunoglobulin Levels Between Obese And Non-Obese Older Women, Paulo Roberto Silva Junior, Dahan Da Cunha Nascimento, Ivo Vieira De Sousa Neto, Silvana Schwerz Funghetto, Ramires Alsamir Tibana, James W. Navalta, Fabiani Lage Rodrigues Beal, Jonato Prestes

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(7): 707-726, 2021. Considering the negative impact of obesity on neuromuscular and immune systems, we sought to compare the effects of a 10-week resistance training (RT) program on muscle quality index (MQI), muscle strength, functional capacity, and immunoglobulins in older women with and without obesity. Thirty-nine older women participated in the present study (age: 69.02 ± 6.16, fat (%): 38.80% ± 6.28) and underwent a linear RT program performed on two non-consecutive days of the week. Body composition, functional tests, immunoglobulins, muscle quality of upper and lower limbs and absolute muscular strength of the upper …

Strength And Body Composition Changes Of Junior Hockey Players During The Competitive Season, Dan Marquette

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This study investigated the body composition and strength changes of NAHL junior hockey players across a competitive season. It was hypothesized that players would lose lean body mass loss from pre-season to end-season. The secondary hypothesis was that players would lose strength in relation to the anticipated loss in lean body mass. Methods: Outcome measurements were taken at pre-season, mid-season, and endseason points of a competitive NAHL junior hockey season (n = 15, age = 19.1 years). Body composition was measured using air plethysmography (BodPod) and strength was measured using isokinetic strength testing (Biodex). Results: No significant changes in …

Examining Eating Attitudes And Behaviors In Collegiate Athletes, The Association Between Orthorexia Nervosa And Eating Disorders, Nancy A. Uriegas, Zachary K. Winkelmann, Kelly Pritchett, Toni M. Torres-Mcgehee

Faculty Publications

Orthorexia nervosa (Orthorexia) is an eating attitude and behavior associated with a fixation on healthy eating, while eating disorders (EDs) are clinically diagnosed psychiatric disorders associated with marked disturbances in eating that may cause impairment to psychosocial and physical health. The purpose of this study was to examine risk for Orthorexia and EDs in student-athletes across sex and sport type and determine the association between the two. Student-athletes ( = 1,090; age: 19.6 ± 1.4 years; females = 756; males = 334) completed a survey including demographics, the ORTO-15 test (values), the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26; >20 score), and additional …

Validity Of The Actigraph Gt9x Accelerometer Step-Count Function In Adults With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction, Jonathan D. Kenyon, Hayley Billingsley, Natalie J. Bohmke, Danielle Kirkman, Salvatore Carbone, Youngdeok Kim

Graduate Research Posters

Low physical activity is associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Step-counts, a measure of physical activity, can be measured via accelerometry. To date, few studies have examined validity of accelerometer-derived step-counts in the adults with HFpEF.

PURPOSE To assess criterion validity of the Actigraph GT9X accelerometer step-count function in adults with HFpEF via ankle, waist, and wrist placement, compared with manually counted, directly observed steps.

METHODS Six adults with HFpEF (age: 57.2 ± 9.4 y; African American: 50%; females: 100%) completed a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a treadmill while wearing synchronized GT9X accelerometers on the ankle, …

Impact Of Covid-19 On Ohio's National Parks Visitation, Ryan Grzeschik

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the way in which society operates in order to get the novel disease under control. Businesses throughout the United States have had to close or reduce provided services, stay at home orders have secluded many people, and social distancing limits contact between others so many are turning to the parks system to cope with these changes. This study aims to find how the visitation of national parks in Ohio have been affected through the first six months of the pandemic. Visitation statistics were compared from March to August of 2020 to those same months …

Accentuated Eccentric Loading In The Bench Press: Considerations For Eccentric And Concentric Loading, Christopher Taber, Jared R. Morris, John P. Wagle, Justin J. Merrigan

Exercise Science Faculty Publications

This study examined the effects of accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) on bench press velocities across a spectrum of concentric and eccentric loads. Ten strength trained men (bench press one-repetition maximum (1-RM): 124.3 ± 19.4 kg; relative strength ratio: 1.5 ± 0.2 kg∙body mass⁻¹) participated. Subjects completed bench press repetitions using concentric loads from 30% to 80% 1-RM in 10% increments in each experimental session. The AEL protocols were implemented using 100% (AEL100) and 110% 1-RM (AEL110) loads during the eccentric action, while the eccentric load remained the same as the concentric for traditional loading (TRAD). Multilevel models analyzed …