Kinesiology Commons^™

The Influence Of Strength And Power Training On The Performance Of U.S. Marines, Kristopher J. Klein

Master of Science in Kinesiology

U.S. Marine Infantry conducts a job that requires strength, speed, and endurance; however military fitness training relies mainly on the endurance aspect. With numerous studies showing the correlation between an endurance mainstay within military organizations, and musculoskeletal and joint overuse injuries, this study seeks to understand the performance value in training the anaerobic energy systems. Specifically, we aim to determine whether strength and power training may be more beneficial to the tactical athlete than traditional training. Over a period of 12 weeks, 150 members of the U.S. Marine Infantry will participate in training five days a week with three days …

The Anatomical Embodiment Of Morning Routines In The Reduction Of Anxiety: An Intervention, Natalie Wright

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The topic under investigation is whether physically embodying a morning routine that was designed through the lens of Laban Bartenieff Movement Analysis (LBMA) will reduce daily symptoms of individuals diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Since morning routines play a significant part in one’s preparation for the day, I created an individualized LBMA morning routine for a specific client to embody. In addition to the routine, the client documented the process of their anxiety levels on a weekly basis. This client was a white, female, 19-year-old, lesbian college student who was previously diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The movement analysis …

The Effects Of Virtual Group Study On Class Views And Performance, W. Matt Denning, Robert S. Thiebaud, Lindy M. Rossow

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

Peer-to-peer teaching improves academic performance. During the worldwide pandemic, peer-to-peer teaching was unavailable, and feelings of isolation and loneliness increased. This study investigated the impact of virtual peer-to-peer group study on student performance and class views in a virtual, undergraduate exercise physiology course. Sixty-nine college-aged adults were randomly assigned to study with a virtual group or individually for two instructional units. Students switched groups after the first unit. For virtual group study, students met virtually for at least one hour outside of class to study course content. Those assigned to the individual study did not study virtually with classmates. Unit …

Attitude And Attitudinal Structures Toward Physical Education And Their Influences On Physical Activity Behavior, Yubing Wang, Yaogang Han, Pan Li, Binn Zhang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine middle and high school students’ cognitive and affective attitude and their cognitive-affective attitudinal structures toward physical education (PE). The effects of cognitive and affective attitude and attitudinal structures on physical activity (PA) in PE and outside of school were also examined. Methods: 1773 Chinese middle and high-school students participated in this study. SEM, Chi-square test, ANOVAs, and Contingency tables were adopted to address the research questions. Results: The results showed that most students (>90%) were holding positive cognitive and affective attitude toward PE. Students’ affective attitude significantly influences their PA …

Does Kinesiology Taping Support Lateral Ankle Sprains And Provide Stability To The Injured Ankle?, Lilianna Giacalone

Honors Theses

Lateral ankle sprains (LAS) are prevalent among athletes and can lead to chronic instability and re-injury. Kinesiology taping (KT) is a treatment modality aimed at providing support, pain management, and prevention of further injury. This review aims to evaluate the efficacy of KT in supporting lateral ankle sprains and providing stability to the injured ankle. A comprehensive search yielded seven studies, including randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, and case-control studies. The studies investigated the immediate effects of KT on injuries, compared KT with other treatment modalities, and assessed the long-term outcomes of KT use. The findings from the reviewed …

Common Questions And Misconceptions About Protein Supplementation: What Does The Scientific Evidence Really Show?, Jose Antonio, Cassandra Evans, Arny A. Ferrando, Jeffrey R. Stout, Brandi Antonio, Harry P. Cintineo, Patrick Harty, Shwn M. Arent, Darren G. Candow, Scott C. Forbes, Chad M. Kerksick, Flavia Pereira, Drew Gonzalez, Richard B. Kreider

Faculty Scholarship

Protein supplementation often refers to increasing the intake of this particular macronutrient through dietary supplements in the form of powders, ready-to-drink shakes, and bars. The primary purpose of protein supplementation is to augment dietary protein intake, aiding individuals in meeting their protein requirements, especially when it may be challenging to do so through regular food (i.e. chicken, beef, fish, pork, etc.) sources alone. A large body of evidence shows that protein has an important role in exercising and sedentary individuals. A PubMed search of “protein and exercise performance” reveals thousands of publications. Despite the considerable volume of evidence, it is …

Examining The Validity Of The Polar Grit X Pro And Two Step Tests In Predicting Vo2max, Alex Skupa, Olivia Sprys-Tellner, Madeline Moore, Christian Clark, Fiona Brown

23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024)

Smartwatches and submaximal tests, such as step tests, are utilized to predict maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). The Polar Grit X Pro watch claims to predict VO2max via its Fitness Test Function (FTF). However, this watch and its FTF have not been validated. The purpose of this study was to determine if the Polar Grit X Pro watch, the Queens College Step Test, and the Forestry Step Test accurately predict VO2max in experienced runners aged 18-22 (n=15). Participants included 7 males (20.29 ± 1.11 years) and 8 females (19.63 ± 1.06 years). All participants performed a graded maximal treadmill test, two …

Former College Athletes' Experiences Of Post-Sport Exercise: How Institutions Can Do Better, Samantha M. Vermeesch, Keegan J. Dekuiper, Madelynn Struck, Christian Clark

23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024)

Former college athletes (FCAs) can exhibit detrimental changes to physical and mental perceptions following sports retirement. Because FCAs no longer engage in regular sports training, they also experience a loss of social support through teammates and coaches, and struggle with enacting their newfound autonomy to exercise. To understand how to help FCAs maintain exercise and health long-term, the purpose of this study is to explore former Division III (DIII) athletes' experiences with exercise maintenance following retirement from sport and graduation from college, and understand their opinions on how their institution could have better prepared them for this transition. Fourteen former …

Changes In Working Memory Performance With Various Simultaneous External Stimulation, Mackenzie Korff, Wyatt Oonk, Riley Checkley, Mackenzie Halton

23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024)

A physically active lifestyle is associated with improved quality of life. Consequently, technologies have advanced to create active walking or cycling workstations where individuals may increase their physical activity in an otherwise sedentary work-related setting. The effectiveness of these active workstations on the brain’s working memory; its ability to process linguistic and conscious perceptual stimuli, is not well understood. This study evaluated changes in working memory by comparing N back-2 scores while completing a heart rate monitored, low-intensity, cycle ergometer exercise protocol. Three conditions were tested during three visits, one week apart from each other. For each trial, the participants …

Percussive Massage And Dynamic Stretching As A Between-Race Warm Up For Collegiate Swimmers, Madeline Kievit, Madison Raymond, Elena Salazar, Madeline Tessin

23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024)

Swimming is a sport that often requires multiple events to be completed in a short-time frame. Breaks between races have the potential to negatively impact subsequent performances, causing athletes to resort to out-of-water warm-up methods. To date, no research has been conducted to determine the effectiveness of using a percussive massage gun (PMG) as a warm-up tool between races. This study evaluated percussive massage and dynamic stretching (DS) as a warm-up by determining impact on completion time between two 100-y freestyle sprints compared to passive recovery (NT) in collegiate swimmers. It was hypothesized that PMG and DS would lead to …

The Effects Of Self-Selected And Pre-Selected Music On Acute Exercise Perceptions And Performance In Insufficiently Active College Students, Alison J. Bache, Tiovanni M. Knight, Lazerick T. Smith Jr.

23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024)

Extensive research has investigated the effects of music on exercise. Researchers suggest that music can improve athletic performance and promote positive perceptions of exercise. However, previous research has focused on athletes or recreationally active participants, and often compares the presence of music during exercise to a lack of music. This study aims to determine whether listening to self-selected preferred music versus pre-selected motivational music improves acute exercise performance and perception of exercise in sedentary college students. Ten individuals will complete baseline testing by following the YMCA cycling protocol. Each participant will then complete two subsequent trials in which they will …

Determining The Step Count Accuracy Of Four Commercially Available Smart Watches, Jolie Labarge, Samuel Aylward

23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024)

The purpose of this study was to determine the step counting accuracy of four commercial smart watches. Methods: Twelve adults (mean ± SD, 24.8 ± 8.4 years) completed this two-trial study. Trial 1(T1) occurred indoors and Trial 2 (T2) took place outdoors. During T1 participants were outfitted with four smart watches, two on each arm (Apple Watch Ultra, Coros Vertix 2, Garmin Fenix 6, Polar Grit X) and completed both a treadmill and activities of daily living (ADL) protocol. During T2 they completed a 3.2 kilometer trail run. During TW participants wore a chest harness outfitted with a GoPro camera …

Former Ncaa Diii College Athletes' Perceptions And Plans For Maintaining Post-Sport Exercise Behavior, Christian A. Clark, Samantha M. Vermeesch, Morgan A. Eckenrod

23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024)

College athletes in the United States exhibit various declines in physical and mental health following retirement from sport. These declines in health are not well understood, however, one cause may be reduced exercise rates following retirement from regular sports training. It is unknown how former athletes' perceptions of health and fitness change after retirement and affect their exercise behavior post-sport. The purpose of this study was to understand former Division III (DIII) athletes' perceptions of health and fitness following college graduation and sports retirement and to explore what their future plans for exercise maintenance were. Recently graduated student-athletes from Hope …

Examining The Use Of Two Novel Recovery Techniques On Reaction Time, Jack Hensley, Dustin Keltsch, Markus Roberts, Trevor Durfee, Nolan Gardner

23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024)

Box Breathing is a breathing technique in which a person inhales, holds, exhales, and holds, in four-second increments. It is believed to help improve an individual's focus. Purpose: This study was conducted to determine if Box Breathing would improve reaction time in lacrosse players after an exhaustive bout of exercise, compared to active recovery and passive recovery. Methods: Participants were familiarized with the components of the study, and then they returned on three separate days, approximately 2-10 days apart for three additional testing visits. Participants performed a 10-minute exhaustive bout of exercise on a cycle ergometer, then performed one of …

The Effect Of Foam Rolling With Vibration On Vertical Jump Performance In Division Iii Football Players, Madison Holloway, Elisa Melville, Jolie Labarge

23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024)

Vibrating foam rollers are a new percussive device that has become increasingly popular to perform myofascial release. Various studies have assessed these devices' effects on vertical jump performance in athletes. Prior research has reported that vibrating rollers (1) have no effect on performance, (2) improve performance to a similar degree as regular foam rollers, and (3) improve performance to a greater degree than regular foam rollers. The inconsistency of these results suggests that further investigation is warranted. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of vibrating and non-vibrating foam rolling on vertical jump performance in division …

Urinary Indicators Of Recovery Status In Collegiate Cross Country Runners, Madelynn Struck, Laura Taylor, Nile Devers, Erickson Kunzler

23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024)

Assessment of urinary biomarkers pre- and post-exercise has been used to monitor athletes' health status. This HSRB approved descriptive study measured 8 urinary biomarkers in 19 collegiate cross-country runners (M-10, F-9, age 20±1.0 years) throughout the first nine weeks of a fall cross-country season. Baseline values were measured prior to the start of the season and were repeated two and three days post-race. They were also measured pre-, immediately post-, and 1-day-post hard workout. All values were within normal, healthy physiological limits, however, there were some mean changes that occurred over the course of the season and within workouts. Significant …

Does It Pay To Play? A Dyadic Study Exploring Familial Investment In Organized Youth Sport, Kayla Wolma

23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024)

Parents play an important role in the youth sport experience for their child (Bonavolontá, 2021). Two ways that parental investment is evident in youth sport is through parental support and parental pressure. Parental support has been linked to child-athlete enjoyment and enthusiasm in the youth sport setting (Gagné, 2003), whereas heightened stress and anxiety for the child-athlete have been associated with parental pressure (Gould, 2008; O'Rourke, 2011). Recent literature has explored family investment in youth sport (fiscal) and discovered that greater investment is associated with greater perceived parental pressure on the athlete, while also showing a decline in the athlete's …

Quality Of Health, Physical Activity, And Exercise In Former College Athletes Post-Sport: A Systematic Review, Ryan P. Endres, Emily K. Mayfield, Christian A. Clark

23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024)

A surplus of modern research in the field of sports science has yielded that, despite their immense athletic and physically active background, former college athletes tend to be less well off in aspects of fitness, and exercise than their non-athlete counterparts. These previous findings have led to further exploration of the question: what is the quality of health, physical activity, and exercise in former college athletes post-sport? Using a systematic approach based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this review explored three online databases (PubMed, SportDiscus, and PsychInfo) to collect peer-reviewed articles regarding this …

The Effectiveness And Perceptions Of Three Moderate Intensity Walking Cadence Aids And Their Effects On Affective States: A Mixed Methods Study, Daniel Brown, Phillip Gray, Julie Doherty, Ellen Ea Simpson

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(5): 531-550, 2024. Substantial health benefits can be derived from walking at a moderate intensity cadence. To help regulate this cadence, three distinct aids exist 1) self-perception; 2) cadence prescription; 3) auditory cues. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and explore perceptions of these aids to promote moderate intensity walking and effects on affective states, thereby addressing an important research gap. Individualised moderate relative intensity waking cadence was determined for participants (n = 23, M_age = 26.35, SD = 10.11). A convergent mixed-methods design was employed. A within-persons repeated measures design was used …

The Immediate Effects Of Dry Cupping The Lumbar Paraspinals On Range Of Motion And Temperature, Natasha Scavarelli, Paolo Sanzo

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(3): 551-564, 2024. Dry cupping is a therapeutic modality proposed to produce a negative pressure, stretching the skin and underlying tissue. This mechanism is said to promote regional blood flow of oxygenated blood and causing a physiological stretch in the tissue, allowing it to elongate and potentially changing skin temperature. The possible effects of the application to the lumbar spine paraspinal muscles, however, has not been thoroughly examined. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the immediate effects of dry cupping the lumbar paraspinals on lumbar spine range of motion (ROM) and overlying …