Physiology Commons^™

Sport Participation Positively Associated With Balance Confidence And Well-Being In Transtibial Amputees, Lucas Hudson, Paolo Sanzo, Carlos Zerpa, Taryn Klarner

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(5): 1663-1678, 2024. Transtibial amputation (TTA) is the removal of the lower leg often resulting in pain, mental health issues, and a more sedentary lifestyle that lacks physical activity (PA). Low balance confidence and other factors related to the physical and psychosocial adaptation to amputation could contribute to why people with TTA actively avoid PA. Studies have investigated lower extremity amputations and barriers to PA in general, but none have focused solely on transtibial amputation and its relationship with PA participation and avoidance habits. To address this issue, 21 participants with TTA (14 male, 6 …

Diurnal Function And Expression Of Aquaporins In The Mouse Kidney, Phi Hung Nguyen

All ETDs from UAB

Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of proteins that play a major role in maintaining water homeostasis. Aquaporin 2 (AQP2) and aquaporin 3 (AQP3) are expressed in the collecting duct and regulated by the antidiuretic hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP) through the AVPR2 receptor. It is well known that biological circadian rhythms are critical for maintaining homeostasis. In both humans and rodents, the kidneys exhibit time-of-day-dependent changes in function. We hypothesized that there is a diurnal pattern in urine and/or plasma osmolality, and that this may reflect changes in kidney aquaporins in mice. Male and female C57BL/6J mice (10-11 weeks old) were …

Compressive Pantyhose Mitigates Muscle Fatigue In Ballet-Specific Test: A Pilot Study, Gustavo R. Mota, Jeffer Eidi Sasaki, Mirelly Rangel Rocha, Pedro Augusto Bianchi Da Fonseca, Bernardo Ide, Kazushige Goto, Donizete Oliveira, Moacir Marocolo

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(2): 92-106, 2025. Compression garments, utilized in sports and exercise for performance enhancement and recovery, lack sufficient well-controlled studies to overcome any potential placebo effect. Therefore, we tested whether wearing compressive pantyhose (CP) during the Ballet-specific aerobic fitness test (BAFT) would influence performance, recovery, physiological, and perceptual indicators. Additionally, this pilot study tested the feasibility of the research procedures and informed adjustments for the main study. Nine young classical ballerinas attended two sessions on different days: a) wearing CP (pressure of 20-30 mmHg) or b) wearing a placebo pantyhose ([PLA] no compression, containing an illusory …

Comparison Of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Testing Measures In Children, Trey R. Naylor, Mariana V. Jacobs, Michael C. Taylor Jr., Jody L. Clasey

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 65-78, 2025. There is currently an exponential increase in the prevalence of childhood obesity thus warranting the demand to appropriately measure and evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness within educational settings. The aims of this study were to (1) compare measured peak oxygen consumption (VO₂peak), heart rate peak (HRpeak), and 1-min heart rate recovery (HRRec) responses obtained using a GXTmax and the PACER test; and (2) compare the VO₂peak from the GXTmax and PACER test to a PACER prediction equation (ScottEqua). Methods: This study included 32 (16 boys) children. Despite not having maturational …

A Flexible Training Approach To Improving Concurrent Training Outcomes In Remote Trainees, Christopher Bonilla, Justin R. Kilian, Robert L. Herron

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 43-55, 2025. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a flexible, trainee-driven training program in improving concurrent training outcomes for individuals training remotely. The study employed a repeated-measures, parallel group design with 18 participants randomized into either a control group with fixed workouts or an experimental group with flexible workout selection based on perceived readiness. Participants were recreationally trained at baseline. Over a 16-week period, both groups completed assessments of strength and endurance, including deadlift, push-ups, and a two-mile run. The results indicated no significant difference in overall fitness improvements between the two …

The Effects Of Augmented Feedback, Focus Of Attention, And Monetary Reward On Vertical Jump Height: A Replication Study, Javad Bakhshinejad, Jasmin C. Hutchinson, Jennifer Murphy, Lydia Trainor, Sarah Friedman, Nicholas Coker

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(7): 13-26, 2025. Reproducibility and replicability of published empirical scientific evidence are fundamental for verifying key findings, identifying errors and/or boundary conditions, and upholding rigorous research standards. For this replication study, the primary goal was to assess the replicability of the findings from Wälchli et al. (2016), which investigated the role of augmented feedback (AF), external focus of attention (EF), and reward (RE), as well as a combination of these conditions on countermovement jump height. The original study sample included 18 resistance-trained male and female participants, while this replication included 38 (19 male, 19 female). …

Yoga Vs. Static Stretching: Recovery Impact On Male Athletes’ Post-Hiit Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate, Blood Pressure, And Heart Rate Variability Analysis, Haruthai Petviset Dr., Sasima Pakulanon Dr., Suppalerk Rusmeeroj, Buris Rukdang

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(6): 79-91, 2025. Heart rate and heart rate variability indicate an athlete's cardiovascular recovery and autonomic balance after intense exercise. While stretching aids recovery, its effects on autonomic balance are inconsistent. Yoga’s combination of postures, breathing, and relaxation may further activate the parasympathetic system, making it a promising tool for sports recovery. This study employed a crossover design to examine the effects of yoga and stretching on post 30-min session of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) recovery in male athletes. Twenty athletes of Mae Fah Luang University (Age 20.95±0.99 years old, VO2max 42.53±4.79 ml/kg/min) were given …

An Exploratory Study Comparing The Metabolic Responses Between The 12-3-30 Treadmill Workout And Self-Paced Treadmill Running, Michael W.H. Wong, Dustin W. Davis, Olivia R. Perez, Bianca Weyers, Devin Green, Alan Garcia, James W. Navalta

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(6): 56-64, 2025. The fitness movement in the United States has evolved substantially since its emergence in the late 20th century, with social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok now playing a pivotal role in disseminating fitness programs and associated claims. One program that has gained considerable popularity is the 12-3-30 treadmill workout (12-3-30), which involves walking at a 12% grade at 3 mph for 30 minutes. Despite widespread claims about its effectiveness in burning fat and calories, there is a lack of peer-reviewed scientific studies evaluating these claims. The present study investigated metabolic responses …

The Psychometric Performance Of State Mindfulness Scales Around Sitting And Walking On Desert Trails: A Pilot Study, Dustin W. Davis, Elias M. Malek, Rob Salatto, Marcus M. Lawrence, Jacob W. Manning, Mark Debeliso, Merrill R. Landers, Graham Mcginnis, James W. Navalta

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(4): 27-42, 2025. State mindfulness is a dynamic construct reflecting current mindfulness, or purposeful attention to the present moment with openness, non-judgment, non-reactivity, and acceptance. Despite its popularity and research in psychology and medicine, measuring state mindfulness remains a challenge. Validity and reliability of the State Mindfulness Scale (SMS) and State Mindfulness Scale for Physical Activity (SMS-PA) in applied settings like nature require more data to be established. This pilot study aimed to evaluate these scales and introduce a new, one-item scale, the Visual Analog Scale-Mindfulness (VAS-M), for quicker mindfulness assessment. Participants completed the SMS, …

The Relationship Between Lower-Body Flexibility And Running Performance In A Half Marathon Downhill Running Event, Logan Petty, Marcus M. Lawrence

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(3): 1-12, 2025. Although previous studies examining treadmill or relatively flat overground running events have found relationships for running performance and flexibility, no study has examined these outcomes during downhill events, including between sexes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between lower body flexibility and running performance in recreational adult male and female distance runners competing in a downhill half marathon race. Recreational (n=11 male, n=19 female) adult distance runners completed this study. On the day prior to the race, participants performed a standardized warm-up, …

Editorial: Frontiers In The Midlands Society Of Physiological Sciences (2023-2024), Sathish Kumar Natarajan, Hong Zheng, Surabhi Chandra, Harold D. Schultz, William C.W. Chen

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

No abstract provided.

Ashwagandha And Sexual Health In Women With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: Exploring Extent Of Adaptogenic Properties, Rhea Chatterjee

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) affects 40% of women and potentially decreases their quality of life. Currently, the primary treatment for HSDD is Flibanserin, which is a serotonergic agonist and an antidepressant. However, the limited efficacy of Flibanserin encourages the exploration of the utilization of traditional drugs such as Withania somnifera, otherwise known as Ashwagandha, as an alternative treatment for HSDD. Minimal studies examine ayurvedic medications or the symptoms of illnesses that traditional Western medicines are unable to treat. This comprehensive literature review investigated the efficacy of Ashwagandha in improving sexual function in women with HSDD. The paper evaluated …

Effects Of Psychedelics On Acute Nicotine Pharmacological Responses, Aleny Oros, Belle Buzzi, Julian Vaughn, Burhan Buttar, Javier Gonzalez-Maeso, M Imad Damaj

IRBEH/Spit for Science Publications and Presentations

Smoking is a major risk factor for illnesses, such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory conditions. In smoking, nicotine activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain region. Prolonged use of nicotine will desensitize these specific receptors and cause nicotine dependence, resulting in smokers to experience withdrawal symptoms, such as anhedonia, depression, stress, and craving, leading to relapse.2 As the rate cigarette smoking has declined over the years, it is not significantly entitled by the tremendous increase rate of e-cigarette use. In a previous study being published, life-time use of psychedelics is associated with lower nicotine dependence.1

Psychedelics, specifically psilocybin, which …

Science, Physiology, And Nutrition For The Nonscientist, Judi S. Morrill

Open Educational Resources

A wonderful blend of physiology, nutrition, biochemistry, genetics, biology, evolution, chemistry--what we all need to know as informed citizens. A basic knowledge of the life sciences and how our bodies work--to promote our own good health, especially as we're bombarded with misleading advertisements, soundbites, and the like. DNA fingerprinting, calorie requirements, dietary advice, genetic engineering (including gene editing with CRISPR cas9)--all in an easy-to understand book.

Principles Of Biomedical Research, Faina Linkov, Matthew C. Kostek

Open Education Materials

HLT 430/530

CC BY-NC-SA

Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus G⍺Q/G⍺S And Rgs2 Signaling Pathways Mediate Sympathoexcitation And Sodium Retention In Hypertension, Shane Harold Boomer

Dissertations and Theses

The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) regulates diverse physiological processes for maintaining homeostasis, modulating functions ranging from fluid balance to sympathetic nervous system activity. Due to its integral connections with various autonomic and endocrine systems, the PVN significantly influences cardiovascular and renal function, notably in blood pressure homeostasis and the development and regulation of hypertension. The regulatory capacity of PVN is mediated through several signaling pathways, including those involving G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) and G- protein signaling. We hypothesized the altered PVN signaling through Gαq/Gαs and regulators like regulator of G-protein signaling 2 (RGS2) pathways affected sympathetic nerve activity and blood …

The Evolution Of The Stress Response In The Trinidadian Killifish: Ecological Drivers And Maternal Mediation, Mikaela E. Feder

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Ecological variables can induce the stress response in organisms. Yet, few studies have tested for evolutionary shifts in stress responses across ecological gradients. In these studies, we used Trinidadian killifish found in sites with predators (high predation, HP) and sites where they are the only fish present (killifish only, KO). HP and KO populations differ in a suite of behavioral and life-history traits, making the Trinidadian killifish an excellent model to examine evolutionary physiology. My dissertation addresses the knowledge gap by examining: (1) how baseline cortisol differs in wild-caught Trinidadian killifish found in HP and KO sites, (2) the influence …

Characterizing And Targeting The Non-Catalytic Functions Of Phosphatase Of Regenerating Liver 3 (Prl-3) In Oncogenesis And Cancer Progression, Jeffery T. Jolly

Theses and Dissertations--Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

Phosphatase of Regenerating Liver 3 (PRL-3) is frequently upregulated in various cancers and is associated with poor patient prognosis. Although traditionally studied for its phosphatase activity, PRL-3 also interacts with the CNNM family of magnesium transporters through its catalytic site, and these two functions are mutually exclusive at any given time. Most previous studies relied on a commonly used PRL-3 mutation that disrupts both phosphatase activity and CNNM binding, making it challenging to determine which function drives its oncogenic effects. To address this gap in the field, I utilized a panel of PRL-3 mutants that selectively disrupt either phosphatase activity …

Traction Force Microscopy Using An Epifluorescence Microscope: Experimental Considerations And Caveats, Zaria Booth, Mazen Mezher, Rudra Patel, Venkat Maruthamuthu

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Forces exerted by cells due to their internal contractility play fundamental roles in a host of processes, including adhesion, migration, survival and differentiation. Traction force microscopy (TFM) enables the determination of forces exerted by cells or cell collectives on their environment, which is typically taken to be an extra-cellular matrix (ECM)-coated substrate. Sample preparation for TFM involves the plating of cells onto an environment embedded with fiducial markers. The imaging of these fiducial markers in the presence and absence of the cells then enables calculation of the displacement of localized regions of the environment, and, consequently, the spatial distribution of …

Assessing The Role Of Daily Thermal Fluctuations In The Performance Of Mitochondrial Energy Transduction Of The Centrarchid, Lepomis Cyanellus, Grayson Hofmann

Masters Theses

Freshwater systems are affected by current climate extremes, forcing species found in these systems to withstand drastic changes in temperature. Temperature changes affect these organisms by altering their metabolic rate and energy balance. Increases in temperature can lead to an increase in oxygen consumption, which ultimately increases the need for more energy production. Mitochondrial energy transduction of green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) and many other fish species after a thermal insult, has hardly been explored. This study complements the limited research available on mitochondrial function in similar species, as they ignore the possibility of consecutive thermal events, which are …