Kinesiology Commons^™

Interactions Between Aerobic Exercise Volume, Academic Stress, And Immune Function, Teresa Wiczynski

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Many college students exercise individually or participate in collegiate and intramural sports in addition to fulfilling their stressful academic requirements. The combination of accumulated stress and vigorous exercise could result in an impaired immune system, prompting the onset of disease and absences in class and sports practice.

Twenty-six male and female participants aged 18 to 23 were recruited for this study. Over the course of an academic semester, participants completed weekly electronic surveys documenting stress levels, aerobic exercise, and symptoms related to upper respiratory tract infections. Participants were evaluated at four different time points (Baseline, Post-Midterm Exam, Baseline Reassessment, and …

The Effects Of Bingocize® On Cognitive Aging: A Health Promotion Intervention, Rilee Pauline Mathews

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Previous research has suggested that physical exercise can play a role in not only improving functional performance, but also cognitive function. In this study, adults age 60 and older participated in a health promotion intervention that included two groups: (a) a Bingocize® group, who exercised and learned about relevant health information while playing bingo, and (b) a control group who only learned about relevant health information while playing bingo. The intervention was completed over the course of 10- weeks at community senior centers. Cognitive function, functional fitness, and health knowledge were assessed before and after the intervention to test for …

Assessment Of Needs For Dementia Care Partners Related To Wellness/Fitness Respite Programs, Mary Mckeown

Health Sciences Student Work

When an individual becomes ill or disabled, it is common for family members to fill the role of caregiver. The same is true in cases where an individual is diagnosed with dementia. Care partners, or care givers, of individuals with dementia are under a great deal of both mental and physical strain due to the debilitating nature of the disease as well as the demands of providing care. As a result, the mental and physical health of care partners often suffers. There are programs, such as respite, that aim to alleviate some of the strain, however there are few existing …

The Effects Of Physical Stress On Performance, Hannah Magerman

Health Sciences Student Work

Physical stress affects an athlete’s performance and can also lead to potential injuries. To avoid that, identifying physical stress levels can help determine if their training needs alterations to avoid injuries and improve overall performance. The purpose of this study was to compare physical stress on high school athletes overall performance measured by vertical jump height. Methods: In this study, physical stress was measured by vertical jump as well as a questionnaire. The participants were 8 female high school athletes aged 15-17 who were training to play a spring sport at their high school. The participants completed a baseline vertical …

Comparison Of Isokinetic Testing To Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Testing In Recreational College Athletes, Joe Bernardo

Health Sciences Student Work

Background: Clinicians utilize various techniques during the rehabilitation process to ensure that patients can successfully recover from injury. Isokinetic testing and Closed Kinetic Chain testing have both been utilized during this process by various health care practitioners. Through the utilization of data gathered from these tests, clinicians can develop strengthening programs to target specific areas of weakness on the patient. However, there has not been extensive information in the literature regarding if the results from these two modalities correlate and share commonality with each other. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to discern whether data gathered from Isokinetic testing …

Can A Unilateral Lower Body-Training Program Increase Lower Body Power Output More Than A Bilateral Lower Body Training Program?, Michael Vaughan

Health Sciences Student Work

(1) Introduction The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of a unilateral or bilateral lower body training program on off ice power production. (2) Methodology Twenty NCAA Division 1 female hockey players were randomly assigned to either a unilateral (UNI) or bilateral (BI) group. The UNI training group performed all lower body exercises over a 6-week period using 1 leg at a time, while the BI performed all lower body exercises with both legs simultaneously. Both groups trained at the same rating of perceived exertion (RPE) two times per week throughout the training cycle. Subjects within the …

Nutrition And Physical Activity Recall To Assess The Health Status Of Commuters And Residents On A College Campus, Holly Scott

Health Sciences Student Work

Introduction: Behavioral patterns acquired in college may contribute to overweight and obesity later in life. Food found in college dormitories and dining halls are those of convenience. Physical activity and a healthy diet are important components to maintaining a healthy weight. Research Questions: The purpose of this study is to investigate if residency during college and access to kitchen appliances impacts students’ dietary composition and physical activity levels and other health behaviors. Methodology: 38 students (27 residents and 11 commuters) from Merrimack College participated in the study. These participants were recruited through convenience sampling on campus. All participants completed a …

Exploring The Relationship Among Role Models, Physical Activity And Dietary Behaviors Among Young Adults Enrolled In A Weight Management Trial, Rachel Ingersoll, Meghan Mavredes, Melissa Napolitano

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background. Role models can have a profound impact on an individual’s development and lifelong behaviors. However, there are gaps in research when it comes to the impact of role models among young adults, particularly related to health behaviors. Previous research has primarily focused on youth, leaving a gap of knowledge surrounding the developmental life stage of young adulthood. Little research has been done examining health risk behaviors such as physical inactivity and unhealthy dietary practices. It is important for young adults to develop healthy habits in college, for many habits will follow young adults into their adult lifespan.

Purpose. To …

Active And Passive Stress Management Mechanisms In Physically Active Young Adults, Krista Lepping, Melissa Napolitano

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background: Physical activity and stress are common factors that affect the health and wellness of young adults worldwide. Higher levels of stress in students can lead to increased blood pressure and decreased immune system defenses. Previous studies have found that students who report more physical activity also report lower levels of stress. Perceived stress is subjective, however, and therefore the amount of physical activity that affects stress levels could vary. Additionally, extensive research has yet to be conducted on the different coping mechanisms that physically active students use to relieve stress. These mechanisms may include physical activity as a …

Oncology Section Edge Task Force On Cancer: Measures Of Cancer-Related Fatigue—A Systematic Review, Mary Insana Fisher, Claire Davies, Hannah Lacy, Deborah Doherty

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common side effects of cancer and cancer treatment. Being able to accurately screen for and assess CRF will improve access to and prescriptions for interventions. Valid and reliable measures to screen for and assess CRF need to be identified.

Purpose: To identify and recommend reliable, valid, and clinically useful tools to screen for and assess CRF among those treated for cancer.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted to assess the published psychometric properties and clinical feasibility of each method identified. Task force members independently reviewed each measure using …

Patterns Of Social Skill Development Over-Time Among Clusters Of LifeSports Participants, Dawn Anderson-Butcher, Eric Martin, Lauren Paluta, Dan Gould

Kinesiology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Although growing in prevalence, little is known about how and for whom sport-based positive youth development (PYD) programs make a difference. This study addresses two gaps: A lack of multi-year studies and limited research differentiating outcomes between groups of participants. Specifically, this study uses repeated measures ANOVAs and hierarchical and non-hierarchical modeling procedures to investigate outcomes among two clusters of underserved youth who participated in two consecutive LiFEsports summer camps. Two hundred and thirty one youth participated, with the majority African American (87%) and male (62%). The average age of participants was 10.71 years. Participants completed surveys to assess …

Promoting Healthy Food Preferences From The Start: A Narrative Review Of Food Preference Learning From The Prenatal Period Through Early Childhood, S. Anzman-Frasca, Alison K. Ventura, S. Ehrenberg, K. P. Myers

Kinesiology and Public Health

The palatable, energy-dense foods that characterize modern environments can promote unhealthy eating habits, along with humans’ predispositions to accept sweet tastes and reject those that are sour or bitter. Yet food preferences are malleable, and examining food preference learning during early life can highlight ways to promote acceptance of healthier foods. This narrative review describes research from the past 10 years focused on food preference learning from the prenatal period through early childhood (ages 2–5 years). Exposure to a variety of healthy foods from the start, including during the prenatal period, early milk-feeding and the introduction to complementary foods and …

Links Between Physical Activity Levels And Parkinson’S Disease Medication Ingestion Time: A Case Study, Thea Fontenot

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Hand Use And Direction Of Handwriting, Madison K. Hopper

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Benefits Of Exercise For Individuals With Concussion Grant Proposal, Tyler Dundore

Honors Projects

This is the abstract for a grant proposal for the following study following the NFL Concussion Grant Guidelines.

Concussions are an issue in many sports at both the amateur and professional level. In 2015, 43.5% of athletes across all age groups and sexes that sustained a concussion returned to sport too soon1. In the past, patients with a concussion were told to restrict physical and cognitive activities until they are asymptomatic2. Recently, research about concussion recovery has shown that a rest period beyond 1-2 days’ post-concussion can be more detrimental to recovery than beneficial3.

The Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test (BCTT) …

Altered Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Phenotype In Copd: Disease Vs. Disuse, Jayson R. Gifford, Joel D. Trinity, Oh-Sung Kwon, Gwenael Layec, Ryan S. Garten, Song-Young Park, Ashley D. Nelson, Russell S. Richardson

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exhibit an altered skeletal muscle mitochondrial phenotype, which often includes reduced mitochondrial density, altered respiratory function, and elevated oxidative stress. As this phenotype may be explained by the sedentary lifestyle that commonly accompanies this disease, the aim of this study was to determine whether such alterations are still evident when patients with COPD are compared to control subjects matched for objectively measured physical activity (PA; accelerometry). Indexes of mitochondrial density [citrate synthase (CS) activity], respiratory function (respirometry in permeabilized fibers), and muscle oxidative stress [4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) content] were assessed in muscle fibers biopsied …

Effects Of Ice Massage Prior To An Iontophoresis Treatment Using Dexamethasone, Brady Michael Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Context: Low current intensity iontophoresis treatments have shown an increase in skin perfusion over 700% from baseline potentially increasing drug clearance from the targeted area. Objective: To determine the effects of a 10-minute ice massage on subcutaneous dexamethasone sodium phosphate (Dex-P) concentration and skin perfusion during and after a 4 mA iontophoresis treatment. Design: Controlled laboratory study. Setting: Research Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: 26 individual participants (Males = 15, Females = 11, age = 25.6 ± 4.5 y, height = 173.9 ± 8.51 cm, mass = 76.11 ± 16.84 kg). Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned into two groups: 1) …

The Effects Of A Three-Hour, After School Bout Of Sedentary Vs Active Behavior On Reward And Cognitive Control Activation In 8- To 9-Year-Old Children: A Randomized Crossover Study, Mary Linn White

Theses and Dissertations

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of after-school sedentary versus active play on activation in the reward and cognitive control regions of the brain to pictures of high- and low-calorie foods. METHODS: 32 children (12 girls, 20 boys; age 8.7 ± 0.5 years; height 137.9 ± 6.9 cm; weight 32.4 ± 6.2 kg) participated in a randomized crossover study with counterbalanced treatment conditions. Conditions took place on separate days after school and included three hours of active or sedentary play. After each condition, neural activation in reward and cognitive control regions of the brain were assessed using functional magnetic resonance imaging …

Positional Release Therapy Versus Therapeutic Massage In Reducing Muscle Trigger And Tender Points, Amber Hancock Bethers

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To determine the difference in effectiveness of positional release therapy (PRT) compared with therapeutic massage (TM) in treating trigger and tender points in the upper trapezius muscle. Background: Trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle are common and can be painful. Therapeutic massage is a more traditional treatment method for this condition while PRT is relatively new. Design and Setting: A randomized-group design was used to examine the differences between the 2 treatments for reducing pain and muscle tension. Subjects: Sixty healthy subjects (males = 24, females = 36; age = 27.1 ± 8.8 years; wt = 75.2 ± …

The Effect Of Whole-Body Vibration In Repositioning The Talus In Chronic Ankle Instability Populations, Melissa Nicole Frixione

Theses and Dissertations

Context: Dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) is often limited in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Whole-body vibration (WBV) may enhance DFROM by helping to reposition the talus and assisting with talocrural arthrokinematics. Objective: To determine if WBV can enhance DFROM in patients with ankle instability and determine if talar position is affected. Setting: Cohort study. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 25 subjects with CAI (17 women, 8 men; age = 22 ±2.101 years, mass = 72.4 ±17.9 kg, height = 171.2 ± 11.6 cm) participated. Intervention(s): Participants in the WBV group completed a 4-week (12 session) WBV …