Recreational Therapy Commons^™

A Comprehensive Program Plan For Providing Therapeutic Recreation Services In A Private Practice Setting 2017, Tracy J. Frenyea

Master's Theses

The purpose of this project was to create a comprehensive program plan and operations manual as an example of a private practice in therapeutic recreation. One goal was to provide a fresh approach to therapeutic recreation, one that embraces a strengths-based paradigm in a holistic environment nurturing the six domains of well-being and the aspirations of individuals served. To operationalize this goal, a thorough review of literature was undertaken and reported on; theoretical foundations and practice models were explored and selected; guiding principles, goals, and objectives were identified; a comprehensive program plan as well as specific intervention plans were created; …

Difference In Quality Of Life Between Group And Individual Exercise In A Faith-Based Sample, Everett Jackson Amburn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is limited data on the quality of life of individuals who exercise in a group versus individuals who exercise alone. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a difference in the quality life between adults who attend an exercise class and those who exercise alone. Using the WHOQOL-BREF, 27 adult females were surveyed in Central California at two Church of Latter Day Saints locations. Ten females were enrolled in a group exercise class while 17 were individual exercisers. The data was analyzed using a t-test for independent samples to determine if there is a …

Cardio-Protection Afforded By Β-Blockade Is Maintained During Resistance Exercise, Alexander V. Ng, Jason M. Conviser, Shawn S. Rockey, D. Paul Thomas

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Objectives

Whether or not the cardio-protective effect of β-adrenergic blockade is retained during resistance exercise has not been systematically evaluated. Therefore the purpose of this study was to measure selected cardiorespiratory responses to isometric exercise involving hand-gripping, single-leg extension, or double-leg dead-lift, under placebo (control), β₁-selective (atenolol), and non-selective (propranolol) adrenergic blockade conditions.

Design

Eleven young male adults were evaluated in a randomized, double-blinded, repeated measures study design and performed all three exercise modalities at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction under placebo, atenolol and propranolol conditions.

Methods

Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, rate-pressure product, oxygen uptake, …

Play It Again! Individualized Music Improves Social Interaction Of Women, But Not Men, With Dementia, Emily Farrer

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Dementia is tragic both for patients with the disease and for their family members. As this neurodegenerative disorder progresses, cognitive functions deteriorate, agitation and aggression increase, and mood worsens (McDermott, Orrell, et al., 2014; Spiro, 2010; Vasionyté & Madison, 2013). Non-pharmacological approaches, such as active music therapy or passive music listening, can be effective in reducing these symptoms. However, no past studies have examined how music listening affects the social interactions of patients with dementia. As such, this study examined whether nursing home residents with dementia are more engaged and interactive if they listen to individually selected music for 15 …

Restoration Of Attentional Deficits After Concussion, Katharine B. Earle

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Difficulties with concentration and attention are among the most prevalent symptoms experienced after concussion. Rest has been the most common form of recovery from concussion; however, new research is suggesting mild mental exertion to be an effective aid in recovery. Drawing from Attention Restoration Theory, this study evaluated the idea that cognitive engagement with natural environments can mitigate post-concussion directed-attention deficits. A between subjects repeated measures design was used to test directed-attention after video exposure to restorative/nature and nonrestorative/city environments. Measures of mood, connectedness to environment, and symptomology scores were also collected. No meaningful difference between exposure type was found …

Practicing Therapeutic Recreation In A World Of Differences, Morgan Herrington

Honors College Theses

Therapeutic recreation (TR) services are available to any individual who wishes to increase quality of life and improve functioning. The profession is based on many conceptual foundations, including quality of life; perceived freedom; intrinsic motivation, self-efficacy, and self-determination; health, wellness, and disability; and recreation and leisure. However, these Western-ideological perspectives may hinder the introduction and practice of TR in countries with other worldviews. This study was designed to explore different worldviews and to evaluate the conceptual foundations of TR with respect to these differences. Findings attempt to identify ways to adapt and shape TR foundations so that it may be …

Recovery From Design, Cassandra J. Ellison

Theses and Dissertations

Through research, inquiry, and an evaluation of Recovery By Design, a ‘design therapy’ program that serves people with mental illness, substance use disorders, and developmental disabilities, it is my assertion that the practice of design has therapeutic potential and can aid in the process of recovery. To the novice, the practices of conception, shaping form, and praxis have empowering benefit especially when guided by Conditional and Transformation Design methods together with an emphasis on materiality and vernacular form.

Complementary And Alternative Medicine (Cam) And Adolescent Body Mass Index (Bmi): A National Population-Based Study, Laura Y. Defrain Lpn

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM) AND ADOLESCENT BODY MASS INDEX (BMI): A NATIONAL POPULATION-BASED STUDY

Abstract

Background

Childhood obesity rates in the United States have remained around 17% since the 1990s - this figure translates to an estimated 12.7 million obese children. Maintaining a healthy weight through adolescence may limit subsequent health risks in adulthood. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) encompasses a variety of non-pharmacological treatments and lifestyle choices that have been utilized in addition to or in place of typical Western medicine. The relationship between adolescent Body mass index (BMI) and the use of complementary and alternative medicine has …

Community Engagement With Older Adults To Evaluate Interprofessional Education In Allied Healthcare Students, Scott Heinerichs, Mary Beth Gilboy, Stacie Metz, Melissa A. Reed, Barbara E. Harrison

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: To examine students’ perceptions of interprofessional education (IPE) as a result of their participation in a community engagement experience with older adults. Methods: Thirty-six students enrolled in the undergraduate majors of athletic training, exercise science, and nutrition participated in an 8-week fall prevention program in two community dwelling senior centers. A one-group pretest-posttest evaluation design was used to assess the IPE experience of the students. Students completed the University of the West England Interprofessional Questionnaire pre and post intervention. Results: Both pretest and posttest student self-assessments of communication and teamwork skills ranged from slightly positive to neutral (means from …

Young Adults In Transition: Factors That Support And Hinder Growth And Change, Mona Treadway

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Young adults between 18 and 24 years of age with mental illness are significantly less likely to receive mental health services than adults in older age groups.Nationally, higher rates of depression, substance abuse, and psychiatric issues are reported in this age group.A therapeutic model referred to as young adult transition programs has emerged to better address the unique developmental challenges found in this age group.This study examined 317 critical incidents that supported or hindered young adults in a therapeutic transition program.The research design used a combination of an instrumental case study and critical incident technique (CIT).Using interviews and the Outcome …

A Wilderness And Art Therapy Program For Children With Social Concerns, Ashlynn C. Wardle

Honors Projects

For my honors project, I created an alternative therapy program for children with special needs. Activities were designed to support children with varied needs such as children with autism, ADHD, or learning disabilities. The program utilizes the most successful factors from the fields of art therapy, wilderness therapy, special education, applied behavior analysis, and speech and language therapy the program to form age appropriate, educational, and fun art and wilderness opportunities.

Optimism Bias In Fitness, Katrielle Marx

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The people of the United States of America have been concerned with the population’s overweight and obesity rate for a while. The purpose of this study was to find out if optimism bias had an influence on fitness. Optimism bias is overestimating the likelihood of positive events and underestimate the likelihood of negative events happening in one’s life. This study created a fitness optimism scale and used a set of fitness assessments and exercise questions to correlate with the fitness optimism bias. There were 105 students who participated in this study, 82 females and 23 males with a mean age …

Perceptions Of Adults With Intellectual Disabilities On Experiences At A Weeklong Camp, Erica P. Teilhaber

Honors College Theses

This study was conducted to attempt to understand the perceptions of a weeklong camp experience for adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities. A survey was administered to campers from two of the three locations, asking questions pertaining to their time spent at camp. Specifically researchers asked questions related to the conceptual, social, and practical domains. Additionally, researchers sent a follow up survey to make sure the data they summarized was correct. Results showed positive feedback, and convey the participants perceived improvements in aspects related to the conceptual, social, and practical domains.

The Health Benefits Of Tai Chi, Samantha Gozo

Current Issues in Health

The purpose of this study is to analyze the health benefits tai chi has to offer. The majority of the literature in this study mainly focuses on the health benefits for the elderly, which include improvement in balance and prevention of falls, rehabilitation from strokes, postural stability for patients with Parkinson’s disease, osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study also highlights the brief history of tai chi, as well as interviews from tai chi students and an instructor about their views and experiences with tai chi.

The Effects Of Resistance Training Frequency On Muscle Hypertrophy And Strength In Healthy Trained Individuals: Literature Review, Alexander C. Boivin

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of increased resistance training frequency on strength and hypertrophy in trained individuals. Six Studies were deemed eligible based on the inclusion exclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria for this review were healthy trained individuals. “Trained” refers to over one year of resistance training experience. Exclusion Criteria were study’s that examined either untrained or obese individuals as participants. The evidence indicates a dose-response trend in frequency. Resistance training each muscle group twice a week may be superior compared to once per week. Further more, resistance training each muscle group three times a …

An Explorer In A Cardboard Land: Emotion, Memory, And The Embodied Experience Of Doing Jigsaw Puzzles, Angela Cora Garcia

Natural & Applied Sciences Faculty Publications

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how playing a game or engaging in a leisure activity provides the participant with an experience which integrates physical, mental, and emotional elements. I use an autoethnographic approach to study the process of completing jigsaw puzzles. The main focal point of the paper is the connection between engagement in a physical activity (completing a puzzle) and how the mind works and where it goes during the performance of that activity. The goal of the paper is to illustrate the connections between action and thought, and to show how one of the benefits, …

Measuring Perceptions In Quality Of Life After Camp, Madison M. Monk

Honors College Theses

As children with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) begin to age out of the school system, they begin losing opportunities for socialization and recreation participation. Losing these opportunities greatly affects these individuals’ quality of life. Limitations to socialization and recreation participation are problematic and research shows it would be beneficial to provide such opportunities. This study explores how a camp environment can increase adults’ with I/DD perceptions of quality of life through providing opportunities to participate in recreation activities and socialize with other campers. Through the use of a Qualtrics survey, researchers contacted campers who attended Camp Sunlight, a camp for adults …

In-Shoe Plantar Pressure System To Investigate Ground Reaction Force Using Android Platform, Ahmed A. Mostfa

Theses and Dissertations

Human footwear is not yet designed to optimally relieve pressure on the heel of the foot. Proper foot pressure assessment requires personal training and measurements by specialized machinery. This research aims to investigate and hypothesize about Preferred Transition Speed (PTS) and to classify the gait phase of explicit variances in walking patterns between different subjects. An in-shoe wearable pressure system using Android application was developed to investigate walking patterns and collect data on Activities of Daily Living (ADL). In-shoe circuitry used Flexi-Force A201 sensors placed at three major areas: heel contact, 1st metatarsal, and 5th metatarsal with a PIC16F688 microcontroller …

Comparison Of Affect And Cardiorespiratory Training Responses Between Structured Gym Activities And Traditional Aerobic Exercise In Children., David A. White, S D. Rothenberger, L A. Hunt, F L. Goss

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Physical activities (PA) that are pleasurable are likely to be repeated. Structured gym activities (SGA) are defined as dodging, chasing, and fleeing games. Traditional aerobic exercises (TAE) are defined as treadmill, cycle ergometer, and elliptical exercise. The purpose of this investigation was to compare affect and cardiorespiratory training responses between SGA and TAE in children. Thirty-two participants (9.3±0.2) were randomized to either the SGA or TAE group. Exercise training was seven weeks, with two sessions per week, for 35 minutes per session. Affect was measured by the (+5 (pleasurable) to -5 (displeasurable)) feelings scale. Affect was recorded at the mid-point …

Sex Differences In Elite Swimming With Advanced Age Are Less Than Marathon Running, Jonathon Senefeld, Michael J. Joyner, A. Stevens, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

The sex difference in marathon performance increases with finishing place and age of the runner but whether this occurs among swimmers is unknown. The purpose was to compare sex differences in swimming velocity across world record place (1st–10th), age group (25–89 years), and event distance. We also compared sex differences between freestyle swimming and marathon running. The world's top 10 swimming times of both sexes for World Championship freestyle stroke, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly events and the world's top 10 marathon times in 5-year age groups were obtained. Men were faster than women for freestyle (12.4 ± 4.2%), backstroke (12.8 …