Kinesiology Commons^™

Promoting Weight Loss Before Pregnancy: Feasible Or Futile?, Suzanne Phelan, Todd Hagobian, Anna Brannen, Ana Stewart, Brianna Schmid, Leonard Cedars

Kinesiology and Public Health

Pre-pregnancy obesity is a well-established risk factor for several adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, including gestational diabetes, hypertension, cesarean sections, and fetal macrosomia. Weight loss before pregnancy could help prevent such complications, but the feasibility of such an approach remains unknown. The current study examined the feasibility of a 3-month pre-pregnancy behavioral weight loss program in 12 overweight/obese women planning pregnancy. The 3 month program resulted in an average 5.4 ± 3.0 kg weight loss and significant improvements in self-monitoring, physical activity, eating and exercise self-efficacy, and healthy eating (p < 0.04). By the end of the 9 month follow-up, half of sample (n = 6) had conceived. Women reported significant increases in weekly or more frequent self-weighing (p < 0.0001), counting calories (p < 0.001), consuming fruit and vegetables (p = 0.007), and cutting out fat (p = 0.0001) and junk foods (p = 0.002). A lifestyle modification program to promote weight loss before pregnancy promoted clinically significant weight loss and appeared feasible.

Center Of Pressure And The Projection Of The Time-Course Of Sitting Skill Acquisition, Joshua L. Haworth, Regina T. Harbourne, Srikant Vallabhajosula, Nikolaos Stergiou

Journal Articles

A normal time-course for the acquisition of sitting is essential. A delay in sitting may affect other developmental milestones, resulting in deficiencies in overall skill. Therefore, our aim was to identify variables whose measures at the very beginning of sitting would allow for the projection of the evolution of the sitting skill. Center of pressure data were collected from the postural sway of twenty-six typically developing infants while sitting on a force platform with a beginning ability to sit upright. Spatial, temporal and frequency variables of postural sway were obtained from both the medial/lateral and anterior/posterior directions of sway. Discriminant …

Associations Of Smoking Status And Serious Psychological Distress With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Ke-Sheng Wang, Liang Wang, Shimin Zheng, Long-Yang Wu

ETSU Faculty Works

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been a major public health problem due to its high prevalence, morbidity, and mortality. Smoking is a major risk factor for COPD, while serious psychological distress (SPD) is prevalent among COPD patients. However, no study focusing on the effect of SPD on COPD has been so far conducted, while few studies have focused on the associations of SPD and behavioral factors with COPD by smoking status.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the associations of SPD and behavioral factors (such as smoking and physical activity) with COPD.

Materials and Methods: Weighted logistic regression …

Effect Of Warm-Up Activity On Vertical Ground Reaction Forces In Basketball Players During Drop Jump Landings, Jacob Wesley Hinkel-Lipsker

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

Effect of Warm-Up Activity on Vertical Ground Reaction Forces in Basketball Players During Drop Jump Landings

Jacob Hinkel-Lipsker

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of certain warm-up activities on vertical ground reaction forces (GRF_v) during a drop jump landing. Methods: Eight women and twelve men (mean age 22.6 ± 1.82 years) completed three warm-up activities on three separate days in a counterbalanced order: a passive stretching warm-up, a dynamic warm-up, and a no warm-up control. After completing each activity, participants were asked to perform eight drop jump landings on a force platform. …

Chronic Ankle Instability And Lower Extremity Joint Absorption, Heather Mcdonald Nope, Ty Hopkins, Matt Gage

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Nearly everyone involved in sports has witnessed or experienced an ankle injury. Often these primary injuries lead to secondary knee or hip pain. The purpose of this study was to learn more about how the body reacts to ankle injuries, in regard to absorbing energy in joints. The hypothesis states that subjects with chronic ankle instability will absorb more energy in the knee and hip. Conversely, subjects without chronic ankle instability will absorb more energy in the ankle.

Increasing Electrical Stimulation Frequency Above Cramp Threshold Frequency Increases The Strength And Duration Of Electrically-Induced Muscle Cramps, Steven Wilding, Dr. Kenneth Knight

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Muscle cramps are the most common heat-related illness experienced by athletes (Cooper et al, Journal of Athletic Training, 2006, 41, 332-336). Muscle cramps also occur frequently at night (“night cramps”) and in the elderly. Because the cause of muscle cramps is unknown, our treatments for them are often times unsuccessful. In fact, less than 50% of athletic trainers felt they were very successful in treating muscle cramps (Stone et al, J Sport Rehab, 2003, 333-342).

Validity Of Four Activity Monitors During Controlled And Free-Living Conditions, Joey Lee

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the step count validity of the pendulum-based Yamax Digiwalker SW-701 pedometer (YX), piezoelectric Omron HJ-720-T pedometer (OP), uni-axial Polar Active accelerometer (PAC), and micro electro-mechanical system Actigraph gt3x accelerometer (AG) during controlled and free-living conditions. A convenience sample of college-aged students participated in Study 1 (treadmill walking, n = 43; 21 females) and Study 2 (free-living, n = 37; 18 females). During study 1, subjects walked on a treadmill at five speeds for 3-minutes per stage wearing all four devices while a researcher manually counted steps which provided a criterion measure. During …

Exercise Intensity And Cytoskeletal Protein In Rats, Brett Noble, Dr. Allen Parcell

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Research in the field of exercise science, as in any scientific field, is changing and developing as knowledge of each intricate part of the human organism grows. Unfortunately such understanding can only be developed through tedious, ongoing research in labs. Comparative to other scientific fields, the study of exercise physiology, particularly that of the structural proteins in skeletal muscle, is relatively new. There is still much to be learned and studied. The data which we gathered contributed to the ever growing body of information that helps us better understand how skeletal muscle functions.

Upper Extremity Functional Dexterity Changes Due To Neck Extensor Or Forearm Muscle Fatigue, Rachel Sommerfeldt, Dr. A. Wayne Johnson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Neck pain and headaches related to neck pain will affect an estimated two thirds of the population at some time during their life. The pain may be caused by high-intensity exertion, such as whiplash, or from prolonged low-intensity exertion. An accepted explanation for neck pain is fatigue of the neck muscles caused by the sustained contraction which is required to hold the head in position. Studies suggest that a significant reduction of muscle function is a result of long term neck fatigue. Thus, an individual suffering from neck pain may have reduced muscle function, limiting activity and requiring changes in …

Effects Of Betaine On Body Composition, Performance, And Homocysteine Thiolactone, Jason M. Cholewa, Monika Wyszczelska-Rokiel, Rafal Glowacki, Hieronim Jakubowski, Tracey Matthews, Richard Wood, Stuart A.S. Craig, Vincent Paolone

Kinesiology

Background: This study investigated the effects of long term betaine supplementation on body composition, performance, and homocysteine thiolactone (HCTL) in experienced strength trained men.Methods: Twenty-three subjects were matched for training experience (4.8 ± 2.3 years) and body fat percentage (BF%: 16.9 ± 8.0%), randomly assigned to either a placebo (PL; n = 12) or betaine group (BET; n = 11; 2.5 g/day), and completed a 6 week periodized training program consisting of 3 two-week micro-cycles. Bench press and back squat training volumes were recorded and changes in training volume were assessed at each micro-cycle. Fasting urine was collected at baseline …

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome As It Relates To Pronation In The Irish Step Cut 1, 2, Kathleen S. Thomas, Dr. Mark Ricard

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) is defined as chronic leg pain in the distal two-thirds of the medial border of the tibia where stress fractures and exertional compartmental syndrome have been ruled out.1,2,3,5 This syndrome is induced by intense, repetitive, high impact exercise such as running and in the case of dancers, jumping and leaping.

The Effect Of Interval Length On Lactate Production, Eric B. Taylor

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This study is still in the process of completion. The following gives an overview of the study and its purpose. Permission has been received from the coaching staff of the Brigham Young University men=s cross country team to use its athletes as subjects given their consent. It is expected that the study will be completed by October of 2000.

A Comparison Of Various Contraction Intensities In Contract-Relax Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching Of The Hamstring Muscle Group, Heather Nielson, Dr. Brent Feland

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) is a popular stretching method that increases flexibility. There are several different methods of PNF, but they all usually require the assistance of another person. The contract-relax method is a widely used PNF techniquei that utilizes maximum voluntary isometric muscle contraction (MVIC) followed by relaxation. An athletic trainer or therapist then pushes the relaxed muscle further into stretch after each contraction. So, traditionally the person is asked to contract the muscle being stretched as hard as possible in order to produce the MVIC. Very little research has been conducted to using submaximal contractions.ii iii Therefore, the …

Effects Of Massage Therapy On Muscle Recovery Following Downhill Running, Tara Nicole Allen

Student Theses and Dissertations

Effects of massage therapy on muscle recovery following downhill running PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of massage therapy on the symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness including muscle soreness, swelling, range of motion, and torque following 30 minutes of downhill running. METHODS: Eighteen active males were assessed, and then ran for 30 minutes at a 14% decline. At 24, 48, and 72 hours, participants were reassessed for pain, swelling, ROM, and torque. A 20 minute massage was performed on the dominant leg following 24 and 48 hour assessments. A 2X4 (leg X time) mixed …

Operation Smile, Stephanie Richards, Barbara Lockhart

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The main goal of our research was to investigate and gain a better understanding of the perception that local inhabitants of Bolivia have regarding medical aid received in their country. To accomplish this task we surveyed and interviewed those who are most directly affected by this aid, namely medical doctors and patients. As stated in the proposal, our study consisted of two sources of primary data: the first is personal interviews with Bolivian physicians and the second source is the surveys administered to patients and their parents who had received a cleflip and/or clef-palate operation from one of the organizations …

It’S About Timing: How The Speed Of A Volleyball Set Affects Offensive Efficiency, Lee J. Hinkle, Dr. Iain Hunter

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Thanks to the Office of Research and Creative Activities, I have been able to continue my research project investigating the relationship between the timing of a volleyball offense and its effectiveness.

A Study On The Effects Of Two Delivery Models Of Foreign Medical Aid: Short-Term Mission Model Vs. The Empowerment Of Local Medical Professionals, Jayson Johnson, Barbara Lockhart

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The main goal of our research was to investigate and gain a better understanding of the perception that local inhabitants of Bolivia have regarding medical aid received in their country. To accomplish this task we surveyed and interviewed those who are most directly affected by this aid, namely medical doctors and patients. As stated in the proposal, our study consisted of two sources of primary data: the first is personal interviews with Bolivian physicians and the second source is the surveys administered to patients and their parents who had received a cleflip and/or clef-palate operation from one of the organizations …

Impact Of Physical Activity On Core Stability: A Comparative Study Of Children In The United States And Rural Ghana, Amy Nagle, Dr. Wayne Johnson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The decline in physical activity and the “obesity epidemic” have created concerns nationwide about the health of American youths. These issues are not only problematic in the social sense (i.e. fostering self-confidence and physical attractiveness), but physical health is important in functional settings, such as classrooms.

Study Of Health And Activity In Preschool Environments (Shapes): Study Protocol For A Randomized Trial Evaluating A Multi-Component Physical Activity Intervention In Preschool Children, Karin A. Pfeiffer, Ruth P. Saunders, William H. Brown, Marsha Dowda, Cheryl L. Addy, Russell R. Pate

Faculty Publications

Background: Physical inactivity is a recognized public health concern. Inadequate proportions of children in the U.S, including those of preschool age, are meeting physical activity recommendations. In response to low numbers of preschool children attaining appropriate physical activity levels, combined with the large number of young children who attend preschool, researchers have identified the need to devise interventions to increase physical activity at preschools. However, few multi-component interventions to increase physical activity in preschool children exist. The aims of this study were to observe the effects of a multi-component intervention on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and physical activity energy expenditure …

Effects Of Prior Acute Exercise On Circulating Cytokine Concentration Responses To A High-Fat Meal, Josef Brandauer, Rian Q. Landers-Ramos, Nathan T. Jenkins, Espen E. Spangenburg, James M. Hagberg, Steven J. Prior

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

High-fat meal consumption alters the circulating cytokine profile and contributes to cardiometabolic diseases. A prior bout of exercise can ameliorate the triglyceride response to a high-fat meal, but the interactive effects of exercise and high-fat meals on cytokines that mediate cardiometabolic risk are not fully understood. We investigated the effects of prior exercise on the responses of circulating tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, leptin, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), placental growth factor (PlGF), and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) to a high-fat meal. Ten healthy men were studied before …