Sports Sciences Commons^™

Prospective Assessment Of Return To Pre-Injured Levels Of Activity, Aaron D. Sciascia

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Determining return to pre-injured levels of play following athletic injury can be challenging. The current practice of making decisions following rehabilitation as to whether or not a patient has returned to pre-injured levels of activity is potentially inaccurate because initial assessments of perceived physical capability are performed at a time of relative dysfunction or are based on patient recall. Since there is no true baseline of perceived and physical function prior to injury it is difficult to determine if an athlete has return to baseline or is simply better than they were at the time of injury. Therefore, it is …

A Biomechanically Based Observational Tennis Serve Analysis Method Can Be Used To Assess Serve Mechanics, Natalie Myers

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Traditional sports science motion analysis techniques using three-dimensional (3D) kinematics have demonstrated that proper mechanics enhance serve performance and improper mechanics overload tissues resulting in injury. However 3D analysis is costly, time-consuming, and requires extensive knowledge of biomechanical properties and data analysis. Currently there are no simple, reliable, and valid observational methods for health care providers (HCP) and tennis professionals to evaluate tennis serve mechanics. Researchers investigating observational analyses have determined that superior reliability may be a result of specific operational definitions and the incorporation of educational training sessions on how to perform the analysis.

The first purpose of this …

The Effect Of Six Days Of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation On Performance In Trained Crossfit Athletes, Samuel J. Kramer, Daniel A. Baur, Maria T. Spicer, Matthew D. Vukovich

Health and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: While it is well established that dietary nitrate reduces the metabolic cost of exercise, recent evidence suggests this effect is maintained 24 h following the final nitrate dose when plasma nitrite levels have returned to baseline. In addition, acute dietary nitrate was recently reported to enhance peak power production. Our purpose was to examine whether chronic dietary nitrate supplementation enhanced peak power 24 h following the final dose and if this impacted performance in a heavily power-dependent sport.
Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, crossover design, maximal aerobic capacity, body composition, strength, maximal power (30 s Wingate), endurance (2 km …

Perceived Threat Associated With Police Officers And Black Men Predicts Support For Policing Policy Reform, Allison L. Skinner, Ingrid J. Haas

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

Racial disparities in policing and recent high-profile incidents resulting in the deaths of Black men have ignited a national debate on policing policies. Given evidence that both police officers and Black men may be associated with threat, we examined the impact of perceived threat on support for reformed policing policies. Across three studies we found correlational evidence that perceiving police officers as threatening predicts increased support for reformed policing practices (e.g., limiting the use of lethal force and matching police force demographics to those of the community). In contrast, perceiving Black men as threatening predicted reduced support for policing policy …

Assessment Of Competitive Requirements, Repeated Sprint Paddle Ability And Trainability Of Paddling Performance In Surfers, Oliver Farley

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Studies examining the physical demands of surfing, the physiological characteristics of surfers, training techniques and various indices important to surfing performance are limited and characterised by methodological discrepancies. This thesis consists of five studies to assess the competitive requirements, test specific repeat sprint fitness and the trainability of sprint paddling in surfers.

Initially an understanding of surfing movement patterns and a determination of the reliability and validity of custom-made GPS units was established (SurfTraX, Gold Coast, Australia) (Study 1: The validity and inter-unit reliability of custom-made SurfTraX GPS units and use during surfing). Durations, intensities, external loads and velocity …

Training Adaptations In Lower-Body Muscle Structure And Physical Performance Capacities Of Competitive Surfing Athletes, Josh Secomb

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The overall aim of this thesis was to increase strength and conditioning coaches, and sport scientists’ understanding of the lower-body muscle structures related to enhanced lower-body physical capacities, and how to best evoke desirable training-specific adaptations. To address this aim, three successive steps of research were evaluated: (1) analysis of the factors related to increased performance in competitive surfing, (2) relationships between lower-body muscle structures and factors associated with enhanced physical performance, and (3) comparison of the training-specific adaptations evoked from various training methods. Whilst this research specifically focused on competitive surfing athletes, these results may benefit the training practices …

The Efficacy Of Periodized Resistance Training In Older Adults, Jennifer Anne Conlon

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Sarcopenia describes the slow and inevitable age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and consequent function. Fortunately, a continually growing body of research highlights the robust adaptability of the aging neuromuscular system in response to resistance training (RT). Yet, despite an abundance of research studies describing the benefits of RT in the elderly, there is a large variation in the type of training programs employed. Therefore, within the extensive range of beneficial RT stimuli, it is vital to confirm what organizational structure of acute program variables is most effective (i.e. the appropriate dose). The process of organizing a training program considering …

Muscle Damage And The Repeated Bout Effect In Male Bodybuilders Following Unaccustomed Resistance Exercise, Kennedy Blowfield

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study investigated muscle damage of bodybuilders who performed an unaccustomed intense resistive exercise bout. Ten male bodybuilders (age: 23 ± 2 y, height: 177.6 ± 6.3 cm, body mass: 85.7 ± 8.1 kg) with a minimum of 4-years resistance training experience performed 17 exercises targeting the pectoral muscles. Eight of the 10 bodybuilders repeated the same exercises two weeks later. Muscle function (bench press throw, maximal isokinetic elbow extension and flexion concentric torque: MVC torque), muscle soreness using a visual analogue scale (VAS: 100-mm), and plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity were assessed before, immediately after and 24, 48 and …

Accuracy In The Badminton Short Serve: A Methodological And Kinematic Study, Shayne Marc Vial

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In sports, accuracy is an essential component of actions such passing, shooting, and aiming. Executing a movement or action that requires a high degree of accuracy is a critical determinant of success in many individual and team sports. Each sport has different methods for evaluating accuracy, however an overarching goal is to determine whether an object hits its target, or assess the distance by which it misses. However, in some sports accuracy is not readily measureable because an object might not reach a target, i.e. the object is intercepted, or it collides with another object or a person, or an …

The Effects Of Acute Dehydration Of 5% Body Mass On Performance And Physiology Of Mixed Martial Arts Athletes, Oliver Roland Barley

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athletes are weighed 24 h prior to competition. In order to compete in a lower weight class MMA athletes will often rapidly lose weight via dehydration. Despite the prevalence, there is currently no known published data examining the effects of acute dehydration on physiology and performance in mixed martial arts athletes. The present study aimed to examine: i) the effects of 5% acute dehydration on performance (vertical jump, medicine ball throw, grip strength and repeated sled push) and physiology (body weight, haematocrit, urine specific gravity, serum osmolality and urine osmolality) of MMA athletes. A total of …

The Lower-Extremity Functional Test And Lower-Quadrant Injury In Ncaa Division Iii Athletes: A Descriptive And Epidemiologic Report, Jason Brumitt, Bryan C. Heiderscheit, Robert C. Manske, Paul Niemuth, Alma Mattocks, Mitchell J. Rauh

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

Context: The Lower-Extremity Functional Test (LEFT) has been used to assess readiness to return to sport after a lower extremity injury. Current recommendations suggest that women should complete the LEFT in 135 s (average; range 120-150 s) and men should complete the test in 100 s (average; range 90-125 s). However, these estimates are based on limited data and may not be reflective of college athletes. Thus, additional assessment, including normative data, of the LEFT in sport populations is warranted. Objective: To examine LEFT times based on descriptive information and off-season training habits in NCAA Division III (Dill) athletes. In …

Preventing Running Injuries Using A Pre-Running Exercise Program (Prep): A Pilot Study, P. Jaques, T. Mcgrath, K. Rasmussen, J. Irwin, J. Winslow, M. Strong, G. Macias, Tyler Cuddeford

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Hypothesis: An 8 week supervised PREP implemented prior to a 5k running program will reduce the incidence of RRI's among novice runners training for a 5k below the previously published incidence rates.

Evaluation Of Echogenicity Within And Between Ultrasonographic Images Of The Vastus Lateralis, Alyssa Varanoske

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the echo intensity (EI) values of different ultrasound (US) images of the vastus lateralis (VL) using panoramic imaging in the transverse plane (PTI) and still imaging in the longitudinal plane (SLI). Secondary purposes of this study were to examine VL homogeneity and to determine relationships between subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness (SubQ) adjacent to the muscle and EI. METHODS: Twenty-four recreationally trained collegiate males (20.2 ± 1.6 years; height: 178.1 ± 6.6 cm; weight: 82.2 ± 13.4 kg) participated in this investigation. EI, cross-sectional area (CSA), muscle thickness (MT), and SubQ of …

Factors Affecting Injury History And Their Overall Impact On Athletic Performance In Distance Runners, Trevor Norris

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Distance running is a very precise mechanism of many intricate movements and abilities of the body. The amount of miles that a distance runner must run puts a lot of very intense stresses on one’s body. These stresses often appear at the bone level and lead to many injuries such as stress reactions and stress fractures but also may play important roles in tissue damages such as strains and pulls. In this study, we used division one college distance runners and examined many intricacies between their level of fitness and overall composition. These include looking at imbalances, dominant traits, and …

Health-Related Quality Of Life In Athletes: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis, Megan N. Houston, Matthew C. Hoch, Johanna M. Hoch

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after injury is important. Differences in HRQOL between nonathletes and athletes and between injured and uninjured athletes have been demonstrated; however, the evidence has not been synthesized.

Objective: To answer the following questions: (1) Does HRQOL differ among adolescent and collegiate athletes and nonathletes? (2) Does HRQOL differ between injured adolescent and collegiate athletes or between athletes with a history of injury and uninjured athletes or those without a history of injury?

Data Sources: We systematically searched CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, and PubMed. A hand search of references was also conducted.

Study Selection: …

Physical Activity And Situational Interest In Mobile Technology Integrated Physical Education: A Preliminary Study, Xihe Zhu, Loren A. Dragon

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Background: Mobile technology permeates every aspect of student lives. The question is whether mobile technology integration can produce desirable effects in the gymnasium.

Objective: This preliminary study aimed to investigate the effects of mobile technology integration on student situational interest and physical activity fluctuation in physical education lessons.

Methods: Sixth grade students (N = 53) were randomly placed into either an experiment group by class that utilized mobile technology-integrated resources (iPad and applications), or a comparison group that did not utilize technology. Both groups received five identical physical education lessons. Student physical activity was tracked with accelerometers, and they completed …

The Effect Of Curcumin On Cardiovascular Health In Obese Men, Marilyn S. Campbell

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and conventional treatment often emphasizes pharmaceutical approaches. Research has recently started exploring non-pharmaceutical approaches, including nutritional interventions. This research study was conducted to test the effectiveness of a novel nutritional approach, curcumin, on the improvement of cardiovascular health in young, obese males (BMI≥30 kg/m²). This study included 22 men, matched based on BMI and randomly assigned to the intervention (n=11) or placebo group (n=11). The intervention consisted of 12 weeks of curcumin supplementation (1.0 g/day) with fenugreek added to enhance the curcumin bioavailability; the placebo consisted …

Comparing Personal Training And Strength And Conditioning Certifications Across Multiple Organizations, Quentin Cieslinski

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Personal training is a largely growing field in the health and fitness industry. There are many different personal training and strength and conditioning certifications that accredit comprehension in the field, and it is often tough to make a decision on which certification to choose. PURPOSE: To centralize information on some of the most well known and sought after personal training and strength and conditioning certifications. METHODS: Research was conducted through the online database SPORTDiscus, on certifying organizations’ websites, and through various other online resources. Categories that were research included educational requirements, cost of certification, NCCA accreditation, time to complete certification …

Hydroband: The Continuous Hydration Monitoring System, Karina E. Atkinson, Catherine P. Benedict

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Dehydration is defined as a mild, moderate, or extreme loss of water in the body. It can result in fever, muscle cramps, headaches, dizziness, or heat stroke in athletes. Ways to determine hydration levels include analysis of the urine, blood, or sweat, body weight changes, skin elasticity tests, and increases in core temperature. Patent search, research journals, and outside studies in the health and fitness market showed that a convenient and continuous hydration monitoring system was not available. Changes in core body temperature proved to be the quickest way to measure hydration levels. The HydroBand system is geared towards athletes …

Identifying Risk Factors For Metabolic Syndrome In Division I Fcs Football Players, Julie Woolf

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

"Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a collection of symptoms or markers leading to a higher risk for health problems including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. These markers include high blood pressure (BP), increased waist circumference (WC), high triglycerides, low HDL-C and increase glucose. Football players may be more at risk for developing MetS and other health problems due to the need for their large size, especially linemen. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the MetS markers as well as the relationship between WC and visceral fat depth and measured with an ultrasound. MetS markers and visceral fat …