Kinesiology Commons^™

A Brief Study Of Cognition, Alfred Brown

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

BACKGROUND: The goal of this experiment was to determine the relation between cognition and fitness in the senior citizen population. METHODS: For the purpose of obtaining cognitive abilities, 41 participants completed a written exam called the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) in a quiet location. No more than one participant was allowed to be in the testing area at a time. Before beginning the exam, participants were asked to complete a consent document. Participants were then asked to complete a series of questions pertaining to visual spatial awareness, memory, naming, attention, language, abstraction, delayed recall, and orientation. After completion, no participant …

The Effects Of C4 During A Graded Exercise Treadmill Test To Max, Donna Khounvivongsy

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: C4 is a pre-workout supplement which is a type of ergogenic aid. Ergogenic aids helps to enhance athletic performance, energy use, and recovery time. There are different types of pre-workout supplement ingredients such as caffeine, creatine, and nitric oxide precursors that all claim to work together to promote energy and improve performance. These supplements are used increasingly in the regimen of many athletes. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of C4 during a graded exercise treadmill to maximal exercise levels on college males. METHODS: Six men (age 21.17 + 1.79 yrs) of the UTA …

Effects Of Caffeine On Anaerobic Power During Wingate, Javier Plascencia

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

Introduction: The ergogenic effect of caffeine on short-term, high intensity exercise has been shown to be controversial throughout the literature. Some studies have shown little to no effect on anaerobic power with caffeine supplementation while a select few have shown significant gains. Anaerobic power is the energy that is stored in muscles that is readily available at any time and can be accessed without the use of oxygen. It may be expressed as an absolute value in Watts (S) or as a relative rate in Watts per Kilogram (/Kg). Anaerobic power has long been an integral part of sports that …

The Association Between Muscle Contraction Ratings From Manual Muscle Testing Performed By Pre-Physical Therapy Students And Electromyography Readings Obtained From Isometric Contractions, Jason Ngu

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: Manual muscle testing (MMT) is utilized in different fields like physical therapy and other fields that require diagnosis of a person’s muscular strength and progression over time. MMT involves stabilization of a certain part of the body while external resistance is provided by the manual muscle tester. Muscular activity is graded on a 0 to 5 scale. Another way to measure muscle activation is by electromyography (EMG). EMG uses electrodes to record electrical activity produced by a muscle. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between ratings of muscular activity by pre-physical therapy students and …

The Effect Of Post Activation Potentiation On An Isometric Bicep Contraction, Nickesh Mistry

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: Post activation Potentiation (PAP) is a new concept that has a need for further research. The performance of a muscle depends on the historic activity of that muscle. The concept of PAP is activating the muscle prior to maximal contraction. This concept works on the basis that the muscle has history of activating and, in turn, will be able to produce a greater force and torque. This idea was utilized with a biceps isometric contraction. An isometric contraction is a contraction where the joint angle as well as the muscle length is not going to change during the contraction. …

The Effects Of An Energy Drink Containing Caffeine On Maximal Exercise Performance, Kandice Reed

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: Consuming energy drinks before exercising has become popular among young adults. Most people consume energy drinks to increase their exercise intensity and duration. Investigations have been performed to analyze the effects of the caffeine from various energy drinks on exercise performance. During maximal exercise performance, heart rate, Rate of Perceived Exertion, and systolic blood pressure increase linearly with exercise time and workload. Diastolic blood pressure generally, changes very little with increasing exercise intensity. PURPOSE: The purpose of this research study was to examine the effect that caffeine in an energy drink has on maximal exercise performance. METHODS: Five male, …

The Comparison Of Vertical Jump Height Between Gender And Body Fat Percentage, Allison Jack

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: Vertical jump height is seen as a muscle performance test that indicates power and force production. It is a kinematic measure used to determine the differences between males and females based on their frontal plane hip angle. Along with different hip angles, males also have greater leg girths than females that could be an anthropometric measurement that influences power production. Males generally have a greater vertical jump height than females with arm swing because of their upper body strength, which influences power production. This is an important factor when determining training program and types of exercises because males and …

Effects Of Dynamic Vs Static Warm-Ups On Athletic Performance In Youth, Morgan Melton

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: A typical warm-up involves some form of stretching depending upon the activity being performed. Stretches can be either dynamic (meaning they involve motion) or static (meaning they involve no motion). Dynamic stretches affect dynamic flexibility and static stretches affect static flexibility (and dynamic flexibility to some degree). Static stretches are designed to hold a position for a joint/muscle that is minimally challenging. Dynamic movement stretches are designed to take a joint/muscle through a challenging and repetitive motion, moving a body part farther with each repetition. Research over the benefits and risks of static and dynamic stretching protocols during warming …

The Effects Of Submaximal Exercise On Cognitive Function, N. Stewart, Judy Wilson

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: Submaximal exercise is exercise that is below the maximum level of which an individual is capable. Research has shown that regularly exercising can be very beneficial, both physically and mentally, for all individuals. This study looks at the acute effects of submaximal exercise on a person’s mental capabilities. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to see whether submaximal exercise has any positive or negative effects on cognitive function. METHODS: Six men (M; age 35.2 ± 13.7 yrs.) and 4 women (W; age 42.3 ± 21.3 yrs.) volunteered to participate in this study that was conducted at the University …

The Effects Of L-Carnitine Supplementation On Body Weight, Body Fat Percentage And Fat Metabolism, Mohamed Abdurahman

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: L-carnitine is a nutritional ergogenic aid. Long chain fatty acids are a major source of energy at rest and during exercise for the body. L-carnitine is an enzyme that transports these fatty acids to the mitochondria for beta oxidation. It has been theorized that by increasing L-carnitine availability, fat oxidation will be increased within the body and glycogen can be spared, thus, increasing aerobic endurance capacity. Previous studies have shown mixed results. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether 10 days of L-carnitine supplementation in a recreationally active college-aged sample would result in increased fat metabolism. …

Effect Of Aging And Peripheral Neuropathy On Standing Reaching Precision With And Without Visual Cues, Christa T. Mahlobo

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Shear Force At Failure And Stiffness Of All-Inside Meniscal Repair Devices, William K. Kesto, Amanda O. Esquivel, David C. Markel

Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies

The purpose of this study was to determine the failure load and stiffness of various meniscal repair devices. A total of 61 fresh-frozen porcine menisci (medial and lateral) were used for the study. A 30-mm vertical, full-thickness tear was created and repaired using one of three all-inside fixation devices and one inside–out repair in the vertical mattress pattern. We used the MaxBraid (Biomet, Warsaw, IN) inside–out suture as a control. The other devices tested were the Meniscal Cinch (Arthrex, Naples, FL), Ultra FasT-Fix (Smith & Nephew, Andover, MA), and the MaxFire MarXmen (Biomet, Warsaw, IN). In addition, two devices, MaxFire …

Post-Exercise And Post-Recovery Blood Lactate In Peripheral Arterial Disease, Rebecca Kate Roderick

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to observe how the presence of peripheral arterial disease affects the level of post-exercise blood lactate and post-recovery blood lactate during and following the six-minute walk test (6MWT). The 6MWT was administered to 49 participants (33 classified as Non-PAD and 16 classified as PAD) over the age of 50 with no uncontrolled cardiovascular or metabolic diseases or a cardiovascular event in the previous 6 months. Results demonstrated that no significant statistical difference exists between the presence of PAD and resting blood lactate (F = 0.86, p = .36), post-exercise blood lactate (F= 0.48, p …

Racial Differences In Self-Efficacy Expectations For Exercise, Selena P. Smith

Honors Theses

This project examined the link between race and self-efficacy. Self-efficacy pertains to an individual’s confidence in ability to complete or engage in a particular task or activity (Bandura, 1986). Prior research shows that self-efficacy has a great influence on exercise initiation and adherence (Bandura, 1986; Dishman, 1982; Rodgers and Sullivan, 2001). Research also supports that Caucasians are more likely to participate in exercise than African Americans (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2000).

Participants included 51 females, 31 Caucasians and 20 African Americans, between the ages of 18 and 50 years old. The women were recruited from local fitness gyms, …

The Effects Of 8 Weeks Of Low Dose Supplementation Of Creatine And Sodium Bicarbonate On Exercise Performance, Amanda Jessica Morris

Master's Theses

Short-term (3-7 days), high doses of creatine (20g/d) and/or sodium bicarbonate (0.5g/kg body weight) supplementation increase exercise performance during short term high intensity activities; however, it remains unclear whether long-term, low doses of these supplements have a positive impact on exercise performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of long-term (8 weeks), low dose creatine supplementation on exercise performance, and whether combining creatine and sodium bicarbonate supplementation has an additive effect. Sixty-three healthy, habitually active, adults (28 M, 35 W; 22+2 years; 23+ 3 BMI) were randomly assigned by sex to one of three supplement groups: …

Seasonal Changes In Body Composition, Block Jump, Attack Jump And Lower Body Power Index In Male Collegiate Volleyball Players, Geoffrey W. Loomis

Theses and Dissertations

Jumping ability in volleyball players is crucial to a team's success. There are both muscular and neural components in jumping. Coaches often test jumping ability and body composition prior to the start of the competitive season, but many fail to monitor these important variables during the course of the season. Jumping ability can decrease over the course of the season as the focus moves from strength training in the weight room to skill development on the court. It is imperative that players maintain their jumping ability and body composition over the course of the season. Seasonal changes in elite-male volleyball …

Variability Of Practice And Strength Training Periodization: When Theories Collide, Katherine Lauren Streder

Master's Theses

The primary purpose of this study was to examine whether variability of practice enhances neuromuscular adaptations when compared to traditional strength training. The secondary purpose was to investigate whether there was a difference in perception of exertion between the two strength programs. Forty one subjects (23 women and 18 men) were assigned to either the control group or one of two treatment groups by a blocked-random method. Subject's one repetition maximum (1RM) for the kettlebell press and leg press were measured at baseline, after 4 weeks of training, and after 8 weeks of training. The treatment groups completed 8 weeks …

Gravitational Pull Does Not Explain Undershooting Target Locations In Complete Darkness, Allyson French

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Skills Learning In Robot-Assisted Surgery Is Benefited By Task-Specific Augmented Feedback, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Timothy N. Judkins, Mukul Mukherjee, I. H. Suh, D. Oleynikov, K.-C. Siu

Journal Articles

Background: Providing augmented visual feedback is one way to enhance robot-assisted surgery (RAS) training. However, it is unclear whether task specificity should be considered when applying augmented visual feedback. Methods: Twenty-two novice users of the da Vinci Surgical System underwent testing and training in 3 tasks: simple task, bimanual carrying (BC); intermediate task, needle passing (NP); and complex task, suture tying (ST). Pretraining (PRE), training, and posttraining (POST) trials were performed during the first session. Retention trials were performed 2 weeks later (RET). Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 feedback training groups: relative phase (RP), speed, grip force, …

Regulation Of The Myostatin Protein In Overload-Induced Hypertrophied Rat Skeletal Muscle, Paige Abriel Affleck

Theses and Dissertations

Myostatin (GDF-8) is the chief chalone in skeletal muscle and negatively controls adult skeletal muscle growth. The role of myostatin during overload-induced hypertrophy of adult muscle is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that overloaded adult rodent skeletal muscle would result in reduced myostatin protein levels. Overload-induced hypertrophy was accomplished by unilateral tenotomy of the gastrocnemius tendon in male adult Sprague-Dawley rats followed by a two-week period of compensatory overload of the plantaris and soleus muscles. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate changes in active, latent and precursor myostatin protein levels. Significant hypertrophy was noted in the plantaris (494 ± …