Kinesiology Commons^™

The Distribution Of Spinal Cord Injury Severity Across Age And Injury Location In Frontal Impact Automobile Collisions, Alyssa Teixeira

Master's Theses

Automobile collisions are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries (SCIs) worldwide, accounting for about 42% of SCIs in the United States alone (McDonald & Sadowsky, 2002; Roberts et al., 2017). The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies road traffic injuries as the leading cause of death for individuals aged 5-29 years, emphasizing the urgent need for effective prevention strategies (World Health Organization, 2023). The primary aim of this study was to identify differences in spinal column injury severity and location (cervical, thoracic, or lumbar) across multiple age groups to identify any discrepancies or similarities. A total of 302 traffic accidents …

The Reliability And Validity Of Accelerometry And Gnss, Christine Coniglio

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation seeks to evaluate the reliability, validity, and utility of accelerometers and GNSS in sport-like scenarios, assess accelerometry-derived metrics and GNSS for distance prediction, and explore how accelerometer placement, specifically chest and back, affect the detection of various locomotor events. In Study I, the purpose was to investigate the accelerometer reliability and predictive capabilities of accelerometers and GNSS to predict a known distance. Thirty physically active female participants (mean height = 163.6 ± 6.8 cm, mean weight = 57.8 ± 8.7 kg) completed jogging trials over two courses (5m and 20m). Each participant wore two tri-axial accelerometers (100Hz) and …

Improving Brain Health: Exercise As A Tool For Enhancing Executive Function And Reducing Stress In Older African Americans, Destiny Ellise Ramos

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Older African American (AA) adults face disproportionately higher risk of stress and Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) compared to other racial and ethnic groups, yet they remain underrepresented in intervention-based research. Previous research has suggested aerobic exercise may reduce stress and benefit executive functioning, which is among the first cognitive domains to be affected in ADRD; however, no studies to date have directly tested the impact of aerobic vs. non-aerobic exercise in older AAs at high risk for developing ADRD. The current study evaluated the effects of a group-based cardio dance fitness (CDF) exercise intervention versus a strength, flexibility, …

The Effect Of Calisthenics Training On Estimated Vo₂Max Values In College Students, Rayhan Amer Imran, Triyanti Triyanti, Fathimah Sulistyowati Sigit, Mury Kuswari

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO₂max) among university students is worryingly low, with more than 50% of students categorized as unfit (<41.7 mL/kg/min). This study was conducted to determine the effect of calisthenic training on estimated VO₂max values using a quasi-experimental study design on 21 male students of the Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia from August to October 2024. Subjects were divided into 2 groups: the intervention group (n=10) and the control group (n=11). The intervention group performed treatment in the form of calisthenics exercise for 40 minutes, and the control group received running exercise treatment for 20 minutes, with both exercises done twice a week for 4 consecutive weeks. Body weight, height, body mass index, estimated VO₂max values, body fat percentage, muscle mass, academic stress levels, sleep quality and macronutrient intake data were measured pre-and-post training and were analyzed using independent and dependent t-tests. The results showed a significant (p<0.05) difference in change on the average estimated VO₂max values between the intervention group (3.5 mL/kg/min) and the control group (11.4 mL/kg/min). It can be concluded that the changes in estimated VO₂max values were likely more effective in the running group compared to the calisthenics group.

Evaluation Of Valid Vo2max Criteria For Graded Exercise Testing In Cancer Survivors, Daniel Y.K. Shackelford, Jessica M. Brown, Rhianna N. Patel

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(5): 443-455, 2025. Cardiovascular fitness (VO_2max) predicts all-cause mortality and is vital to assess in cancer survivors (CS) for individualized exercise prescriptions. Metabolic carts confirm VO_2max with respiratory exchange ratio (RER) >1.10; other VO_2max criteria include ≤10 beats/minute of maximal predicted heart rate and/or a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of >8 on the Modified Borg Scale. Another suggested criterion is respiratory frequency (Rf) > 40 breaths per minute. These criteria are assumed applicable for all populations, but due to cancer-related toxicities, frequency and validity of traditional VO_2max criteria usage in …

Limb Differences In Hamstring-To-Quadricep Ratio Across Velocities In Collegiate Women’S Soccer Athletes, Nicole Waldo Johnson, Lauren Sanders, Kyle L. Sunderland

2025 Student Academic Showcase

Purpose: This study examined differences in the hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio (H:Q) between dominant and non-dominant legs in collegiate women soccer athletes. Methods: Eleven NCAA Division I female soccer players participated; one was excluded due to equipment malfunction. Following a standardized warm-up, athletes completed unilateral isokinetic knee extension and flexion on an isokinetic dynamometer at 60°/s, 180°/s, and 300°/s. For each leg and velocity, athletes performed three submaximal trials followed by five maximal effort repetitions, with 60 seconds of rest between velocities. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to assess differences in H:Q ratios between the limbs across velocities. Results: …

Seasonal Improvements In Lower-Body Power In Collegiate Women’S Ice Hockey Athletes, Molly K. Henderson, Olivia J. Grabianowski, Quinn M. Mclaren, Kyle Sunderland

2025 Student Academic Showcase

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in lower-body power from pre- to post-season in a women’s ice hockey team using broad jump (BJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) assessments. Fifteen NCAA Division I athletes completed BJ and CMJ tests within a month prior to the competitive season and within a month following the final game. All tests were conducted at a consistent time of day and began with a standardized warmup, followed by the CMJ testing using dual force plates and BJ on a marked flat surface. CMJ metrics included in the analysis were jump height, relative peak …

Physical Attributes Of Competitive Collegiate Co-Ed Men, Base/Backspots, Flyers, And Tumblers, Grace M. Liebhart, Harry P. Cintineo

2025 Student Academic Showcase

Cheerleading is a demanding sport often overlooked in research. This study examined physical attributes of 41 collegiate cheerleaders representing co-ed men, base/backspots, flyers, and tumblers. Participants underwent body composition, relative countermovement and squat jump, isometric mid-thigh pull, and 1RM seated military press assessments. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with gender adjustment followed by Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc tests (α=0.05). Analyses showed significant positional differences for body fat percentage (P< 0.003), lean mass (P< 0.001), squat jump (P=0.034), and 1RM strength (P< 0.001). Bases/backspots had higher body fat percentage than flyers (P=0.016) with no other differences (P>0.110). Lean mass and 1RM strength were highest in co-ed men (P< 0.018) followed by bases/backspots and tumblers than flyers (P< 0.073). Post-hoc analysis revealed no differences in squat jump (P>0.052). These findings highlight unique physical characteristics of cheerleading positions and suggest implementation of specific strength training programs. Future investigations should …

Maintenance Of Anaerobic Power Across A Competitive Season In Collegiate Women’S Ice Hockey Playersquinn, Quinn M. Mclaren, Olivia J. Grabianowski, Molly K. Henderson, Kyle Sunderland

2025 Student Academic Showcase

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in anaerobic power and capacity in women’s college ice hockey players from pre-season to post-season. Fourteen NCAA Division I female ice hockey players performed a 30-second Wingate test (WAnT) two weeks prior to the start of the competitive season and three weeks following the final game. Athletes completed a standardized warm-up including a short sprint on the cycle ergometer to prepare for the maximal effort test. The WAnT began from a rolling start, with the athlete pedaling at 100–110 RPM. Athletes then completed a 30-second all-out sprint against 9% body weight …

Relationships Between Performance In The Frequency Speed Kick Test, Heart Rate Variability, And Body Composition In Amateur Muay Thai Fighters, Antonio Beira De Andrade Junior, Elena Marie Peixoto Ruthes De Andrade, Patrícia Dos Santos Vigário, Cesar Antonio Luchesa, João Eduardo De Azevedo Vieira, Igor Ramathur Telles De Jesus, Agnaldo Jose Lopes

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(6): 428-442, 2025. In martial arts, heart rate variability (HRV) measurements can potentially be used to assess injury risk and susceptibility to fatigue. Muay Thai uses the Frequency Speed of Kick Test (FSKT) to measure kick speed, but it is unknown whether better fitness results in improved autonomic function and body composition, which may affect athletic performance and recovery. We aimed to evaluate the correlations between FSKT, HRV, and body composition measures in amateur Muay Thai fighters. This is a cross-sectional study with 37 Muay Thai fighters. They underwent FSKT-10s and multiple FSKT to measure …

Sex Differences In Exercise And Sleep Among University Faculty And Staff Members, Jorge O. Vazquez, David A. Tobar, Faith Yingling, K Todd Keylock

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 4, 2025. There has been minimal research examining the exercise and sleeping patterns of university faculty and staff members and what role these factors play in overall health. The information gathered in this study was used to analyze how faculty and staff can adapt their behaviors to improve health and well-being. To explore sex differences in exercise and sleep in faculty and staff at a university in the Midwest, the study performed secondary analyses on data collected from the 2022 American College Health Association’s National Faculty and Staff Health …

Erratum For Effect Of Chronotype On Sleep Quality In A Laboratory Setting, Brianna Harfmann, Natashia Swalve, John Mitrzyk, Alexander Montoye

International Journal of Exercise Science

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Palm Cooling On Repeat Sprint Ability Following A Fatigue Inducing Protocol In Collegiate Female Athletes, Ella Wrabley, Britta Lagerquist, Grace Smith, Rachel Jones, Madeline Mcneilly, Jeff Buxton, Hayden Gerhart, Phillip Prins

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(3): 415-426, 2025. Cooling glabrous skin sites, such as the palms, can mitigate core body temperature rise and delay fatigue during physical activity, potentially enhancing performance. However, research on palm cooling (PC) in female athletes remains limited, and existing devices are often costly or impractical. This study evaluated the effects of PC using a novel, cost-effective portable device on repeat sprint ability in female collegiate athletes after a fatiguing protocol. Twenty female athletes (age: 20.1±1.4 years; height: 166.7±6.9 cm; mass: 66.6±9.8 kg; BMI: 24.0±3.9 kg/m²; body fat: 24.9±4.6%) participated in a randomized crossover study. Sessions …

Leveraging Agent-Based Modeling And A Randomized Intervention To Advance Childhood Physical Activity: A Study Protocol, Matt Kasman, Adam B. Sedlak, Lydia Reader, William J. Heerman, Russell R. Pate, Amelie G. Ramirez, Evan C. Sommer, Shari L. Barkin, Ross A. Hammond

Faculty Publications

This study (1R01HD107002-01A1) protocol describes the planned creation and use of an agent-based model (ABM) of early childhood physical activity (PA). Successful early childhood PA interventions can potentially play an important role in both increasing overall population health as well as closing health disparities across subpopulations. At present, effective strategies for doing so are currently unknown. In large part, this is because PA determinants operate across levels dynamically, interact with one another, and can differ substantially across children. A complex systems approach—specifically, ABM—can be used to provide important insights about effect pathways driving child PA. Design of the proposed ABM …

Age Of Anaerobic, Aerobic, And Skill-Based Olympic Athletes 1988 - 2024, Corban J. Ruiz, Iliana G. Hernandez, Edward K. Merritt

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(3): 404-414, 2025. The age at which athletes compete at a high-level provides understanding of human physiology, development, aging and skill refinement. The Olympics, with high-level performances across events with differing metabolic demands, provide unique data for analysis of optimal performance age given the type of performance required. The aim of this study was to classify Olympic events from 1988-2024 into aerobic, anaerobic, mixed, or skill, and compare male and female athlete ages in each classification. Events of maximal effort under 2-minutes duration were classified as anaerobic. Events longer than 5 minutes were classified as …

Case Study: Effect Of Stroboscopic Vision Training During A Softball Season, Doug Dendy, C Roger James, Toby Brooks, Micah Lierly, Nolan Riley, Larry Munger

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 3, 2025. This case study examined the effects of stroboscopic vision training during an entire varsity softball season for a 16-year-old female. Stroboscopic vision training uses specialized glasses with crystallized fluid that flickers, intermittently impeding vision, a technique that enhances visual performance. The stroboscopic glasses were worn two to three times a week during hitting and fielding skills. The central hypothesis was that the stroboscopic vision training would enhance softball vision performance. The central hypothesis was tested using these specific aims: 1) batting statistics for a year with no …

The Impact Of Consuming An Electrolyte Drink Pre Vs Post-Workout On Recovery As Measured Through Urinary Indicators In Collegiate Cross-Country Runners, Laura Taylor, Aidan Becher, Madelynn Struck, Momodou Colley

24th Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2025)

BACKGROUND: Hydration is crucial in sports, as dehydration can decrease strength, endurance, and power. Drinking electrolytes before and after intense exercise can promote hydration. Few studies have compared the difference in consuming electrolytes pre/post-workout. The impact of consuming electrolyte drinks can be assessed by comparing pre/post-workout urinary biomarkers (UB). PURPOSE: To determine if drinking electrolytes before/after a workout improves post-workout recovery as measured by heart rate (HR) and UB in collegiate Cross Country (CC) runners. METHODS: 21 CC runners (43% men, 20±3 years) were divided into four groups. For four weeks (Sep-Oct 2024), participants consumed Liquid IV (LIV) or a …

Comparative Analysis Of An Aquatic And Dry-Land Catching And Throwing Exercise On Reaction Time And Inhibitory Executive Function, Haein Choi

Student Research Symposium

Fast and accurate reactions are crucial for fall prevention. The ReacStick measures reaction accuracy by requiring immediate motor responses without delay. This study compared the effects of aquatic and land-based catching and throwing exercise on reaction accuracy to explore effective fall prevention training methods.

Aging In Motion: The Impact Of Activity On Visceral Fat In Senior Individuals, Heather Feeny, Paxton Castillon, Alyssa Mcnutt, Mattew Densley

Student Research Symposium

The aim of this study is to investigate activity levels, including sleep duration, sitting time, and their relationship with visceral fat area (VFA).

Body Composition Of Older Active Adults: The Huntsman Senior Games Study, Abby Hansen, Paxton Castillon, Heather Feeny, Alyssa Mcnutt, Matthew Densley, Elizabeth Cafferty

Student Research Symposium

• Body Fat Percentage (%BF): ratio of adipose tissue to total mass