Sports Sciences Commons^™

How Do Firefighters Differ Between Years Of Fire Service Experience: Part 1 - Physical Fitness Profiles, Ian Bivins, Michael J. Conner, Jacob A. Mota, Payton Miller, Steven E. Martin, Lisa C. Colvin, Drew Gonzalez

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Firefighters (FF) face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to aging, job-related stress, and irregular physical activity. Years of experience (YXP) in the fire service have been shown to have a unique impact on FF health and performance; however, profiling the differences between those with less or more YXP has not yet been assessed. PURPOSE: To examine years of experience-related differences in conventional physical fitness parameters among FFs. METHODS: Archival data from annual clinical testing of 142 FFs were analyzed. Groups were defined as those with 5 YXP. General linear models (GLM) were used for multivariate …

Evaluating Self-Reported Dietary Habits And Barriers Among Rotc Cadets Across Body Mass Index Classifications, Sarah E. Johnson, Sheyla Leon, Michael Conner, Lisa Colvin, Steven Martin, Stella Volpe, Drew Gonzalez

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Limited data exist on the overall and sports nutrition knowledge among Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets across different body mass index (BMI) categories. PURPOSE: We aimed to study ROTC cadets' dietary habits and barriers across BMI groups. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were obtained from 184 ROTC cadets regarding validated questionnaires, such as the Perceived Barriers to Healthy Eating (PBHE), Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ), and Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants-Short Version (REAPS). The cadets were stratified into body mass index (BMI) groups: underweight (RESULTS: Chi-square analyses showed BMI-related differences in responses to REAPS' breakfast skipping question (χ²=14.289, p=0.027, V=0.199), …

Effects Of Bungee-Based Training On Physical Performance And Arch Jump Kinematics In Female College Rhythmic Gymnasts, Nasser Abouzeid, Mariola Gepfert, Abdulrahman I. Alaqil, Abdulmalek K. Bursais, Hussein Hashoos, Mohammed S. Alibrahim, Labeeb Z. Moseekh, Amr S. Hamza

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an eight-week bungee-based training program on selected physical performance variables and arch jump kinematics in female college rhythmic gymnasts. Material and methods: Eighteen female college students (age: 18.1 ± 0.9 years) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG; n = 9) or a control group (CG; n = 9). The EG completed a bungee workout training program three times per week for eight weeks, while the CG followed a traditional rhythmic gymnastics training program. Physical performance variables included vertical jump, leg strength, back strength, standing long jump, …

Dynamics Of The Airborne Phase In Discus Throwing, Andreas Maheras

Track and Field Faculty Publications

From a mechanics point of view, the execution of the airborne phase in discus throwing can affect the execution of the delivery phase, and eventually the distance thrown. It is not very important to minimize the time it takes to complete the airborne phase or how fast the thrower turns in the middle. The important element in this phase is to create the conditions for a quick planting of the left foot in the front of the ring, while at the same time keeping the shoulder axis towards the thrower's right in the final double support phase. That, can be …

Peak Lower Limb Joint Angles Are Weak Predictors Of Hamstring Length Change During Sprinting, Shayne Vial, Jodie Cochrane Wilkie, Anthony J. Blazevich, Daniel Kadlec

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Non-contact hamstring injuries (HSIs) commonly occur during the late swing phase of sprinting, when muscle–tendon units (MTUs) approach maximum length. Although sagittal-plane pelvis, hip and knee angles are often used as surrogate measures of overall hamstring lengthening, their predictive validity remains uncertain. This study investigated whether peak three-dimensional lower limb joint angles predict length change in the biarticular hamstring MTUs from peak hip flexion through to toe off (0–100 %) in fourteen intermediate-level male soccer players sprinting at maximal speed (8.56 ± 0.47 m·s−1). Participant-specific musculoskeletal models were used to compute MTU lengths for the biceps femoris long head (BFlh), …

Carbohydrate Restriction Drives Greater Perturbations In Circulating Metabolites Than Low Energy Availability In Elite Male Athletes, Kyle A. Dunlop, Nathan G. Lawler, Jamie Whitfield, Alannah K.A. Mckay, Nicolin Tee, Megan L. Ross, Stacey N. Reinke, John A. Hawley, David Broadhurst, Louise M. Burke

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Periods of low energy availability (LEA) are common in elite athletes and typically arise from reduced energy intake, often involving some degree of carbohydrate (CHO) restriction. Whether the metabolic profile created by energy restriction per se is distinct compared to that driven by CHO restriction is unknown. Using untargeted metabolomics, we examined metabolic perturbations linked to CHO restriction and energy restriction in plasma from elite male endurance athletes. In a semi-randomized controlled trial, athletes (n = 20) completed one of three 5-day dietary interventions: high energy-high CHO (HCHO); LEA (energy-restricted, CHO-reduced); or low-CHO, high-fat (LCHF; energy-matched, CHO-restricted). Plasma samples were …

Comment On ‘Muscle-Specific Strength Better Predicts Physical Performance Decline Than Conventional Metrics: The I-Lan Longitudinal Aging Study’ By Chien Et Al., Ricardo M. Lima, Anthony J. Blazevich

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

No abstract provided.

Dual-Task Effects On Spatiotemporal, Kinematic, And Kinetic Parameters And Their Variability During Running, Hsiang-Ling Teng, Jo Armour Smith, Will F.W. Wu

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Running in real-world environments often requires using cognitive resources simultaneously with the motor task (dual tasking, DT). Limited existing evidence suggests that DT reduces running speed. Movement variability is essential for a healthy, adaptable motor system. DT has been shown to affect movement variability during walking. Nonetheless, it remains unclear how DT affects spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters and their variability during running.

Research question

Does DT affect spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic measures and their variability during running? Does running speed influence DT effects?

Methods

Thirty-one asymptomatic runners participated in this cross-sectional study. Three-dimensional running biomechanics were recorded while …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of Aerobic Exercise As Therapy For Depression And Anxiety In Women With Pcos: A Systematic Review, Lorna Evelyn Mansell, Caitlin Fox-Harding, Robert U. Newton, Pedro Lopez Da Cruz, Sara Bayes, Favil Singh

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise interventions in alleviating depression and anxiety symptoms in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Data sources PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, SportDiscus, EMBASE and Web of Science databases were searched from their inception to July 2025. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies Randomised controlled trials were eligible if they examined the effects of exercise lasting ≥4 weeks on validated measures of depression and/or anxiety in women aged 18–45 with PCOS diagnosed using the Rotterdam criteria. Publications not written in English were excluded. Data extraction and synthesis Two reviewers independently extracted data …

Dietary Nitrate Supplementation Worsens Resistance Exercise Performance In Resistance-Trained Females, Sydney N. Brennan, Raymond T. Gerardo, Trevor J. Molnar, Justin M. Foster, Ryan Tran, Kyle S. Geppert, Christopher B. Sottile, Michael Egiazarian, Abigail F. Ballhagen, Stewart D. Gonzalez, Adam Pennell, Rachel Tan

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Dietary nitrate supplementation appears to preferentially target type II muscle fibers for beneficial effects; however, research examining the efficacy of nitrate in females and resistance exercise is scarce. PURPOSE: To investigate if dietary nitrate, provided as concentrated nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BR), improved resistance exercise performance in back squat and bench press compared to nitrate-depleted beetroot juice (PL) in resistance-trained females. METHODS: Eighteen resistance-trained females aged reported to the lab for a total of four visits over a 2-week period. Participants performed a one repetition maximum protocol (1RM) and familiarization to the experimental protocol, and were assigned in a randomized, double-blind …

Glycemic Control After Meals On People With Type 2 Diabetes And Prediabetes Following Resistance Exercise, Isaac Chapman, Kosar Valaei, Oscar Chavez, Marissa Ramirez, Jacob Dawes, Maja Gebauer, Christine M. Mermier, Jonathan Little, Luotao Lin, Gretchen M. Ray, Roberto Mota Alvidrez, Zachary A. Mang, Fabiano Amorim, Valmor Tricoli, Flavio De Castro Magalhaes

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Resistance exercise (RE) has been shown to improve glycemic control after a meal in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and prediabetes under controlled laboratory settings. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of RE on glycemic control in a free-living environment. METHODS: This was a 4-arm randomized crossover study involving 22 participants with T2D (n=12) or prediabetes (n=10). Glucose was monitored using a continuous glucose monitoring device through the experimental situations that involved three separate exercise sessions: a high-intensity RE session (3 sets x 8 reps, 75%-1RM, 120 sec interval), a rest-redistribution RE session (6 sets x 4 reps, 75%-1RM, 60 sec interval), …

Body Composition Of Older Active Adults: The Huntsman Senior Games Study, Abby M. Hansen, Dale R. Wagner Facsm, Heather Feeny, Paxton Catillon, Alyssa Mcnutt, Elizabeth Cafferty, Ben Taylor, Matthew Densley, Nicolas Clark, Andrew Creer

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Body composition variables are important when it comes to studying athletic performance. With an aging population, being actively engaged in athletic competition in one’s “golden years” is more common than in previous generations. However, there is a lack of normative data for senior athletes relative to their younger counterparts. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between age and both body fat percentage (%BF) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) in senior athletes and classify the percentile ranks of these body composition variables. METHODS: Data were collected using an InBody 770 Multi-Frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis machine. Data …

Effects Of Hypobaric Hypoxia During Intermittent Cycling Bouts On Markers Of Acute Kidney Injury, Jacob D. Dawes, Alyssa R. Bailly, Jonathan W. Specht, Christopher B. Hart, Mateo Griego, Marissa Ramirez, Kaia G. Allen, Alexander Smaragdas, Fabiano T. Amorim

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Many individuals travel to high altitudes for recreational or occupational purposes. Hypobaric hypoxia (HH) at altitude decreases arterial oxygen saturation (SaO₂), reduces oxygen delivery to tissues, and can adversely affect organ function. Exercise, independent of HH, significantly decreases renal blood flow (RBF). Therefore, performing exercise in HH may further impair oxygen delivery and place additional strain on the kidneys. While the impact of chronic HH on kidneys has been documented, there is limited research on the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) under these conditions. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of acute HH exposure during intermittent exercise …

Can Passive Water Immersion Shape Force Production Capacity?, Joonsun Park, Talin Louder

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Previous studies have shown mechanistic neurophysiological evidence to foster motor cortical and plasticity alongside improved cerebral perfusion. Although evidence remains limited, these neural effects suggest passive immersion may enhance force output capacity. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of passive water immersion in a seated position on lower-extremity isometric strength as measured by isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) performance on land. METHODS: Thirty-three active young adults (age: 22.64 ± 4.18 years, height: 174.55 ± 10.28 cm, mass: 81.45 ± 18.77 kg) completed both land and water conditions (LC and WC), with pre- and post-tests using within …

Effect Of Previous Night Alcohol On Thermoregulatory And Physiological Strain During Prolonged Physical Work In The Heat, Marissa Ramirez, Jonathan W. Specht, Flavio De Castro Magalhaes, Fabiano Amorim, Whitley C. Atkins

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Many occupational workers engage in strenuous physical work in hot environments for prolonged periods, placing them at risk of heat-related illness due to increasing physiological strain identified by increasing core temperature (Tcore) and heart rate (HR). Lifestyle behaviors, such as smoking, caffeine and alcohol consumption, and sleep deprivation, may further exacerbate heat strain and increase susceptibility to heat-related illness. Notably, alcohol consumption the night before work, and the subsequent hangover, may amplify physiological strain by impairing heat dissipation. However, no previous studies have evaluated the impact of alcohol hangover on heat strain during physical work in the heat. PURPOSE: …

Evaluating The Accuracy Of Sex-Dependent Algorithms In Commercial Wrist-Worn Wearables For Exercise Energy Expenditure, Olivia R. Perez, Dustin W. Davis, Michael W. H. Wong, James W. Navalta Facsm

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Commercial wrist-worn wearable devices are popular among sports and health enthusiasts. Energy expenditure (EE) is a valuable measurement returned from these devices, but the accuracy is variable. A gap exists in sport and exercise science concerning sex-specific accuracy and input algorithms. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the sex-specific validity of five commercial wrist-worn wearable devices in estimating exercise EE, with indirect calorimetry as the criterion. Methods: 97 adult participants were outfitted with two devices (n = 20 per device), one set to the "female" sex option on the right wrist and the other set to the "male" sex …

Sex-Specific Changes In Pbmc Mitochondrial Respiration Following Acute Exercise, Ryan R. Moon

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Exercise-trained individuals exhibit greater immune system function, which may be attributed in part to enhanced peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) function. Exercise training is a potent stimulator of mitochondrial adaptation, which may help explain improvements in immunity. However, the mechanisms by which exercise acutely modulates PBMCs to promote beneficial adaptations remain unclear. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that a single bout of aerobic exercise modulates PBMC mitochondrial function. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy young adults (13 females, 15 males; age 21.84 ± 2.78 years) completed a graded exercise test (VO₂max: 41.4 ± 7.64 ml O₂·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) followed …

The Association Between Muscular Strength And C-Reactive Protein Among Post-Menopausal Women: Effect Modification By Hormone Replacement Therapy, Sarah Krager, Bethany Barone-Gibbs, Amanda Paluch, Samantha Ehrlich, Amy Miller, William Boyer

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Previous studies suggest that the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) may be elevated in post-menopausal women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Muscular strength is associated with more favorable CRP profiles. However, this association has not been examined among post-menopausal women on HRT. PURPOSE: This study aims to examine the association of lower leg strength and CRP while considering potential effect modification by HRT using a representative sample of U.S. adults. METHODS: The final sample (n=1,238) included post-menopausal women (≥50 years) who participated in the 1999-2002 National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES). CRP was examined continuously and categorically (/dl vs 3-10 …

The Effects Of Percussion Therapy (Theragun™) On Recovery From Contraction-Induced Muscle Damage In Highly Trained Participants, Maja Gebauer, Oscar Chavez Jr., Jonathan W. Specht, Whitley C. Atkins, Christine M. Mermier, Michael Deyhle

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The Effects of Percussion Therapy (Theragun™) on Recovery from Contraction-Induced Muscle Damage in Highly Trained Participants

MAJA GEBAUER, OSCAR CHAVEZ JR., JONATHAN W. SPECHT, WHITLEY C. ATKINS CHRISTINE MERMIER & MICHAEL R. DEYHLE

Exercise Science Laboratory; Department of Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences; University of New Mexico; Albuquerque, NM

Category: Doctoral

Advisor / Mentor: Deyhle, Michael ([email protected])

ABSTRACT

The impacts of percussion therapy on athletes is not fully understood. PURPOSE: Investigate the effects of a two-minute treatment with a percussion gun (Theragun™) on muscle soreness, ROM, and strength performance following eccentric exercise of the hamstring muscles in highly trained …

Wavelet-Based Mechanomyographic Intensity Responses To Sustained Tasks Anchored To Low Versus High Ratings Of Perceived Exertion, Dolores G. Ortega, Robert W. Smith, Jocelyn E. Arnett, Tyler J. Neltner, Trevor D. Roberts, Justin S. Pioske, Richard J. Schmidt, Terry J. Housh

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Purpose: This study examined the effects of sustained, isometric forearm flexion tasks anchored to ratings of perceived exertion of 2 (RPE2_FT) versus 8 (RPE8_FT) on the wavelet-based mechanomyographic (MMG) intensity responses from pretest and posttest maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) as well as the time course of changes in the MMG intensity responses throughout the sustained tasks. Methods: Eleven men (mean±SD: age=20.9±2.3 yrs) performed MVICs before and after the sustained tasks. The wavelet analyses decomposed the MMG signals onto a set of 11 wavelet bands (WBs). Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to analyze the MMG intensity …