Kinesiology Commons^™

Modifiable Factors That Influence Infant Motor Development At 4 Months And 12 Months Of Age, Lauren Miller

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

INTRODUCTION: The choices a mother makes during pregnancy (diet and exercise) and postpartum (environmental stimuli, sleeping situation, feeding practices) could influence a child’s motor skills immediately after birth and into childhood. The objective of this experiment is twofold: 1) to determine factors that may influence infant motor development scores at 4 and 12 months of age, and 2) to determine whether infant motor scores at 4 months of age predict infant motor scores at 12 months of age. METHODS: Infant motor development was assessed by a pediatric physical therapist using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (4 months) and the Peabody …

Effects Of Evidence-Based Materials And Access To Local Resources On Physical Activity During Pregnancy, Kolbi Edens

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Physical activity (PA) during pregnancy has been shown to be safe and effective for improving maternal and infant health; however, only 23% of pregnant women exercise in accordance with guidelines. PURPOSE: To determine if the distribution of evidence-based educational resources as well as access to community resources will increase PA levels as well as knowledge/beliefs about PA during pregnancy. METHODS: Participants (8-12 weeks) completed assessments concerning their activity levels, as well as knowledge/beliefs regarding PA, during pregnancy. Next, participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention (IG) or control group (CG). The IG received educational information regarding PA during pregnancy, …

Effects Of Seated Load Carriage On Mobility, Jamilia Almonte

Health Sciences Student Work

Research has determined significant health detriments associated with sitting for extended periods of time, including chronic disease risk, pain, and mobility. Additionally, although it is not researched commonly, sitting is an essential component of job related tasks for tactical professionals such as military, police and firefighters. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between seated load carriage and dynamic mobility. METHODS: Eighteen recreationally active Merrimack College Students (age: 23.33 +/- 1.45 yr) participated in the randomized, within groups, crossover study. All subjects completed a total of three study visits which consisted of a …

The Effects Of Hip-Dominant Post-Activation Potentiation On Broad Jump Performance In Varsity Collegiate Football Players, Trevor Bradley-Dade

Health Sciences Student Work

(1) Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the acute effects of hipdominant eccentric post-activation potentiation (PAP) on broad jump distance, through the usage of dynamic (concentric) tempo and eccentric tempo conventional straight bar switch grip deadlifts. This study hypothesized that the experimental eccentric tempo deadlift protocol would result in greater improvements to broad jump performance than the experimental dynamic or control protocols. (2) Methods: Twenty-four varsity football players from Tufts University aged 18-22 years were recruited. Participants were assigned into three groups and cycled through one control protocol and two experimental protocols, over the course of three …

Pertinacity Spring Volume 5 Issue 10, Courteney L. Benjamin

Pertinacity

Pertinacity is a biannual magazine that features stories and reports on recent Korey Stringer Institute's initiatives.

Observation And Self-Report Of Fun And Social Engagement Of Nursing Home Residents During Bingocize®, Lauren Rene Stevens

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Individuals in certified nursing facilities (CNF) often experience social isolation and have limited opportunities to exercise. Bingocize®, an evidence-based healthpromotion program, is a combination of exercise and Bingo and provides opportunities for CNF resident interaction. Limited tools are available to quantify social engagement displayed by nursing home residents. Research suggests that intergenerational programming can positively affect social engagement. The present pilot study focused on the implementation of the Fun and Social Engagement (FUSE) evaluation to measure social engagement displayed by nursing home residents during Bingocize® sessions. The FUSE combined observation and self-report measures to yield a total social engagement score. …

Randomized Pilot Trial For A Community-Based Group Stretching Exercise Program For Chronic Low Back Pain, Marc Brodsky, Ann Hansen, Wendy Bjerke

Exercise Science Faculty Publications

Background: Authors of meta-analyses concluded that exercise therapy appears to be slightly effective at decreasing pain and improving function in adults with chronic low back pain (CLBP), particularly in health-care populations. Similar to health-care settings, community organizations provide wellness and lifestyle modification programs. Different versions of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Y’s Way to a Healthy Back program were offered from 1974 to 2004. Champions of the YMCA program and authors of the pilot study designed a Healthy Back Curriculum to update and reintroduce the program. Objective: The research aim of this randomized pilot trial was to investigate the …

Common Habits, Adverse Events, And Opinions Regarding Pre-Workout Supplement Use Among Regular Consumers, Andrew R. Jagim, Clayton L. Camic, Patrick S. Harty

Faculty Scholarship

The purpose of the present study was to examine characteristics of multi-ingredient pre-workout supplement (MIPS) users, their common patterns/habits of MIPS ingestion, and their associated feelings about the effectiveness and safety of this class of supplements. An online electronic survey was distributed through social media to assess self-reported supplementation practices and preferences among adult males and females who reported regular MIPS use. A total of 1045 individuals responded, with 872 of these individuals (males: n = 636, 72.9%; females: n = 233, 26.7%; mean ± SD; age = 27.7 ± 7.9 years; training age = 8.2 ± 7.3 years) completing …

Critical Embodied Praxis For Social Justice And Peace Educators: A Story Of Personal Transformation Through Analysis Of My Jewish And Settler Identities, Cara Michelle Silverberg

Capstone Collection

In this paper, I examine definitions of and relationships between violence, oppression, peace, liberation, and embodiment in the context of critical pedagogy in order to construct a theory of critical embodied praxis for social justice and peace educators. Considering the body to be a tangible vessel through which narratives and mechanisms of violence are expressed and maintained, I explore the potential of the body to be a vessel through which liberatory narratives may be generated and shared. After constructing a theory of critical embodied praxis, I illustrate this framework in action through a personal narrative that explores the intersections …

Too Much Workplace Sitting: A Brief Historical Perspective, Raymond Jones, Daniel P. Credeur, Stephanie M. Mccoy

Faculty Publications

Sedentary behavior is a risk factor for the development of chronic diseases, especially those of cardiovascular and metabolic origins. Prolonged sitting is one of the most common sedentary behaviors among adults. Individuals sit for hours every day for several reasons, including work and or physical limitations. Historical accounts regarding the negative health effects of prolonged sitting began with early epidemiological studies, which sparked a breakout of research examining this behavior in the workplace setting. Understanding the risks associated with prolonged workplace sitting is important when considering workplace interventions, such as sit-stand workstations. These interventions appear to be beneficial in reducing …

Be Your Best S.E.L.F., Rachel Wood, Casey Hasenbein

Senior Theses

The goal of our thesis was to use our knowledge as Exercise Science students and personal trainers to improve the health of an underserved population in South Carolina. We created a voluntary exercise and self-defense program for the girls residing at Epworth Children’s Home. The program began on October 1, 2018 and concluded on April 29, 2019 with data collecting taking place between October 8th and March 18th. Every other week SASS Defense taught their self-defense program, and on the alternating weeks we facilitated an exercise class. The program also included a mentorship aspect to create a supportive social environment …

Identification Of Factors Contributing To Musculoskeletal Injuries In Military Basic Trainees, Amy Fraley Hand

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the physical activity requirements of the United States (U.S.) Armed Forces, there is a concerning incidence rate of musculoskeletal injuries in military personnel. In the basic trainee population specifically, multiple studies have reported a range of exercise- related injury incidence from 14% to 42% in males and 27% to 61.7% in females. Depending on the severity, these injuries can exclude basic trainees from participation, ultimately altering career trajectory and creating the possibility of long-term disability. The studies of this dissertation examine variations in muscle strength, flexibility, and dynamic postural control as a means to identify those basic trainees …

Effect Of Cuff Pressure On Blood Flow During Blood Flow-Restricted Rest And Exercise, Kent Westerberg Crossley

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the blood flow/pressure relationship (linear or nonlinear) in the superficial femoral artery when seated, as well as to investigate blood flow changes with exercise using varying cuff pressures and a preexercise (PE) condition. The presence of venous outflow with occlusion at rest and exercise was also investigated.Methods: Twenty-three subjects visited the lab on 3 occasions. First to determine linearity of blood flow using 0% to 90% arterial occlusion pressure (AOP), and venous outflow at rest and during exercise with cuff inflated to 40% AOP. Subsequent visits compared blood flow between rest …

Pasantía En Programa De Integración Escolar (Pie): Apoyando Estudiantes Con Discapacidades En La Escuela Secundaria, Emily Sen

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The intent behind this internship experience was to gain insight into the relationship between an individual’s physical and mental state in the general panorama of one’s health and wellness, specifically among the adolescent population. Throughout this investigation, I actively focused on helping the individuals with whom I was working by cultivating relationships and assisting in therapies. I completed this work in the Student Integration Program (Programa de Integración Escolar), known as PIE, within Liceo A-1 Octavo Palma Pérez, a public high school in Arica, Chile. PIE is a government sponsored program that provides additional resources to students in the public-school …

Effect Of Trb3 On Skeletal Muscle Mass Regulation And Exercise-Induced Adaptation, Ran Hee Choi

Theses and Dissertations

Skeletal muscle, which composes over 40% of body mass, is responsible for daily locomotion and energy metabolism. It is a malleable tissue that can adapt its structure and function in response to internal and external environmental stimuli. Changing muscle mass and energy substrate utilization is a common skeletal muscle adaptation in response to various pathological conditions, including type 2 diabetes and obesity. Failure to maintain skeletal muscle mass and function has been correlated with increasing morbidity and mortality, as well as poor quality of life. Hence, maintenance of skeletal muscle integrity is a recommended strategy in achieving better quality of …

The Regulation Of Skeletal Muscle Fatigue During The Progression Of Cancer Cachexia, Brandon N. Vanderveen

Theses and Dissertations

Cachexia is the unintentional loss of body weight secondary to chronic disease and is prevalent is roughly 50% of cancer patients. The loss of body weight and skeletal muscle mass is reduced functional capacity associated with reduced life quality. The etiology of cachexia is multimodal and complex; however, cachexia has been linked to several systemic (e.g. chronic inflammation, hypogonadism, anemia, insulin resistance) and behavioral (e.g. anorexia, inactivity) changes that can compound to accelerate muscle mass and body weight loss. While several inflammatory cytokines are associated with cachexia’s disease progression, our laboratory has established that Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a key regulator …

The Impact Of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructive Surgery On Neuromotor Function, Cortney Noel Armitano

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the systemic neuromechanical implications in individuals who have had an ACL reconstruction (ACLR) compared to healthy controls. The specific aims addressed were to: 1) examine differences in inter-limb coordination during walking at different speeds, 2) examine differences in trunk, neck and head acceleration during gait, and 3) investigate whether the reaction time responses assessed during stepping are negatively affected by ACLR.

The findings of study 1 revealed that maximal coordination stability was achieved when walking at the person’s preferred gait speed. However, individuals with a previous ACLR exhibited reduced coordination stability between …

Effects Of A Postural Restoration Focused Intervention On Muscle Activation During Deadlifts, Caleb Richardson

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of implementing two Postural Restoration exercises and relating principles on deadlifts using a hexagonal barbell. Specifically, we aimed to examine the effects of the intervention on muscle activation and the location of the ground reaction force (GRF) center of pressure. Sixteen subjects (age 18-35 yrs.; male (n=14); female (n=2)), with at least 1 year of deadlifting experience, were randomly assigned into a control and intervention group (both n=8). Both groups performed two sets of three repetitions of deadlifts at 50% and at 80% of their estimated one repetition maximum (1-RM). …

Estimation Of Arterial Wall Parameters Via Model-Based Analysis Of Noninvasively Measured Arterial Pulse Signals, Dan Wang

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation presents a model-based method for estimating arterial wall parameters from noninvasively measured arterial pulse signals via a microfluidic-based tactile sensor. The sensor entails a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microstructure embedded with 5×1 transducer array built on Pyrex/Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. The arterial pulse causes a time-varying deflection on the top of the PDMS microstructure, which registers as a resistance change by the transducer at the site of the artery.

Owing to the time-harmonic nature of its radial motion, the arterial wall is modeled as a second-order dynamic system. By combining this dynamic model with a hemodynamic model of blood flow, …

Effects Of Attentional Focus Cues On Soccer Trap Kinematics And Performance, Ladule Lako Losarah

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this research was to assess how the kinematic performance of an inside of the foot soccer ball control movement changed with an internal, external, or holistic attentional focus coaching cue. The researchers used pendulum catapult to launch a soccer ball from 8.5 meters at the participant. Ten female active NCAA division 1 soccer players received one of three cues, or no cue, and then had five trials to control the ball onto an artificial turf mat to score 1-3 points depending on where the ball landed. Participants completed a manipulation check survey to ascertain the efficacy …