Sports Sciences Commons^™

Domain-Specific Concussion Knowledge And Reporting In United States Major League Rugby Players, Julie Stamm, Katherine Hunzinger, Owen Sheehy, Christine Baugh

Department of Exercise Science Faculty Papers

Previous research indicates high concussion knowledge is not associated with better concussion reporting, with research examining the relationship between reporting and global concussion knowledge. Concussion knowledge has not yet been investigated in United States Major League Rugby (MLR) players. This study evaluated domain-specific concussion knowledge, concussion history, and reporting behaviors among active MLR players. In a cross-sectional design, 207 MLR athletes (age 26.6 ± 3.4 years) completed a survey assessing concussion history, knowledge, and nondisclosure reasons. While in the MLR, 24% reported an undisclosed concussion, with nondisclosure reasons related to a lack of concussion knowledge, a desire to continue playing, …

The Impact Of Palm Cooling On The Physiological And Cognitive Function Of Aerobically Trained Individuals, Katherine L. Tibbs

Honors Theses

Background: Cooling strategies have been shown to combat the harmful effects that an increase in body temperature can potentially cause, and palm cooling in particular has been adopted due to its effectiveness in mitigating muscle fatigue during exercise. While there is clear support that this improves muscular strength and endurance, there is a lack of research on the impact palm cooling has on the mental aspect of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cognitive and physiological effects of palm cooling on aerobic exercise performance. Methods: Ten aerobically trained participants between the ages of 18-35 were …

Diagnostic Ability Of Rate Of Torque Development For Patellofemoral Pain, Arun Loganathan, Neal R. Glaviano Phd, Sungwan Kim Phd

Honors Scholar Theses

Context: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a highly prevalent condition (22.7% in general population) that significantly impacts the quality of life of those who suffer from it. However, there is no gold standard test to diagnose it yet, leading to inconsistencies with treatment as well as delayed intervention. Rate of torque development (RTD) is a neuromuscular measure that has shown strong connections to PFP.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the diagnostic ability of RTD for PFP.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Laboratory.

Participants: Thirty-five individuals with PFP (24 males and 11 females, 22.7 ± 3.7 years, 1.67 ± 0.1 …

Development Of Low-Cost Triaxial Force Sensor For Measurement Of Human-Exoskeleton Interaction Forces, Hamdan Khan Sarvathullah

All Theses

Contemporary research suggests that shear force is a major contributor to discomfort and pressure injury. However, the variation of shear forces during human-exoskeleton interaction dynamics is a highly unexplored field. The high cost of commercial triaxial force sensors may be a major factor in the notable lack of research in this field. Therefore, in this paper, we present a low-cost, 3D-printed triaxial force sensor designed specifically to measure the triaxial interaction forces between an exoskeleton and its user. The triaxial force sensor uses Carbon-Black/Silicone Rubber (CB/SR) strings to measure shear forces, whereas the normal force is measured with a Force …

Effects Of Water Depth On Heart Rate, Rate Of Perceived Exertion, And Gait During Underwater Treadmill Walking In Healthy Older Adults, Edgar Gonzalez, Hayley Moore, Sage Robertson, Riley Tucker

Undergraduate Posters

Some of the aging population do not meet the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines for physical activity. This is due to numerous barriers: pain, fear of injury, and limitation with mobility. Underwater treadmill (UWT) training, a specific type of aquatic exercise, supports cardiovascular and muscular health while providing low impact on the joints. Underwater treadmill allows the exercise intensity to be manipulated through the depth and the speed. However, the effects of varying immersion heights on heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and stride frequency (SF) in a healthy older adult population remain unclear. Thus, the …

Prevalence Of Low Energy (Lea) Risk In Division Iii Female Distance Athletes, Ciara Murphy

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Context 

Low energy availability (LEA) occurs when energy intake is insufficient to support normal physiological functions after exercise (Loucks, 2011). Prolonged LEA can negatively affect metabolic functions, reproductive health, and bone density, and contribute to the development of the female athlete triad and relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) (Papageorgiou, 2017).

Objective

The objective of this study was to explore the prevalence of LEA among Division III female distance athletes.

Design

Cross-sectional study

Setting

Online questionnaire administered through Qualtrics

Participants 

A total of 12 Division III female distance athletes (ages 18-23).

Intervention

Anonymous, electronic questionnaire assessing symptoms associated with low …

Success Or Setback: A Literature Review Of The Association Between Youth Athlete Sport Specialization And Injury Incidence From Adolescence To Adulthood., Kelis Adams

Honors College Theses

For a multitude of reasons, in the United States, present day society is a persistent witness and contributor to the adultification and professionalization of children alongside the activities they engage in. Single-sport specialization in youth sports is one of our most clear and poignant instances of the existence of this subcurrent. But, in recent years, following the uptick in single-sport specialization among youth athletes there has also been a marked increase in sports medicine professionals cautioning athletes and their families of premature commitment to a sole sport due to concerns of physical health risks. As sport typically involves forceful and …

Acute Effects Of Olympic Lifting Post-Activation Potentiation On Baseball Pitching Velocity And Ball Flight: A Crossover Study, Brent Hauser Pourciau

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study evaluated the acute effect of an Olympic lifting-based post-activation potentiation (PAP) warm-up on fastball performance in collegiate baseball pitchers. Using a randomized, counterbalanced within-subjects crossover design (N = 13), each participant completed two warm-up conditions in a single indoor session: (a) a standard dynamic baseball warm-up and (b) the same standard warm-up followed by a brief Olympic-lifting PAP sequence (1 x 3 clean pulls at 80% predicted one-repetition maximum [1RM], 1 x 3 power cleans at 80% predicted 1RM, and 1 x 3 power jerks at 60% predicted 1RM, with 2-minute rests between sets) and a 3-minute …

A League Of Her Own: The Comeback After Collison, Ashley Otto, Do, Mbs, Carly Day, Md

Jefferson Hospital Staff Papers and Presentations

Initial History

During a college softball game, the left fielder (patient A) and center fielder (Patient B) collide while attempting to catch a fly ball. Patient A immediately lost consciousness and Patient B screamed in pain grabbing her right leg. The athletic trainer (AT) and student athletic trainer access and triage the players. Upon the AT's arrival, Patient A became conscious, appeared confused, denied distress, and complained of jaw pain. Patient B continued to have upper right leg pain. Both athletes are helped off the field and the on-call physician is asked to come to the field.

Interactive Associations Between Physical Activity And Sleep Architecture On Cognition In Community-Dwelling Older Black Adults, Joshua L. Gills, Anhiti Dharmapuri, Rachel Mccray, Shreshtha Shah, Anthony Q. Briggs, Purbanka Pahari, Dominique Tanner, Mark A. Bernard, Elena Valkanova, Korey Kam, Ankit Parekh, Lisa L. Barnes, Gbenga Ogedegbe, Omonigho M. Bubu

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Growing evidence suggests an interactive relationship between physical activity (PA) and sleep in shaping cognitive performance. Enhanced sleep features, like greater K-complex density and slow-wave activity, may reflect mechanisms through which PA and restorative sleep improve cognitive function. PURPOSE: To examine how PA and sleep architecture interact to influence cognition in older Black adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 51 participants (mean age: 63.1 ± 15.8 years) from NYU’s Aging Research In Sleep Equity and Dementia Prevention Program. Participants underwent neuropsychological testing, polysomnography, clinical evaluation, and seven days of actigraphy to assess PA and sedentary behavior. Cognitive tasks measured processing …

Use Of Resistive Exercise Snacks To Improve Upper Body Fitness In Undergraduate And Graduate Students, Zachary Abouelkawaam, Kevin Vaughan, Alexander Rothstein, Abdelmohsen Mossolem, Jean-Paul Dodier, Carlos Africa, Freddie Leong, John Handrakis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Graduate/undergraduate students lack time for consistent physical activity, leading to declines in fitness. Exercise snacks (ExSnck), short bouts of submaximal exercise performed throughout the day, may offer a solution. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of a 6-week upper body ExSnck program on endurance, strength, power, and enjoyment compared to a 1-set maximal exercise (MaxEx) protocol and a control group. METHODS: 43 participants were randomly assigned to ExSnck (n=15), MaxEx (n=16), or Control (n=12) groups. The ExSnck group performed 33% of their maximal push-ups and plank time for 3 sessions/day (sessions ≥2hrs apart). The MaxEx group performed the same …

Association Between Coaching Behavior Styles And Athlete Well-Being: A Systematic Review, Matthew Benavides, Olivia Evola, Devjja V. Joshi, Arpita M. Bedarkar, Amerigo Rossi

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Coaching behavior plays a critical role in shaping athlete outcomes, including motivation, performance, satisfaction, and burnout. PURPOSE: Evaluates how different coaching styles are associated with athlete well-being and the psychological mechanisms involved. METHODS: A detailed search of ProQuest, Gale and EBSCO databases was done. Five peer-reviewed studies that met the inclusion criteria of college student athletes competing in NCAA or NAIA in the US or Canada and studies involving the coaching styles of either autocratic, democratic, transformational, congruent leadership or intrinsic motivation were systematically reviewed. 1,900 athletes were evaluated in the included studies of relationships between coaching behaviors and student …

Marching Health From Music To Injury: The Implications Of Marching Band Athletic Training Accessibility, Madelyn Liebhardt

Honors Projects

The following study explores the importance and need of athletic trainers (ATs) in marching band settings. Athletic Training is an essential backbone to many sports programs worldwide. Athletic Trainers are commonly seen as active staff members for many high school, collegiate, professional teams as well as in clinical office sites. Athletic Trainers are also staffed in non-traditional settings such as corporate settings, performing arts, military branches. Marching bands are categorized under non-traditional sports settings and ATs are becoming more highly preferred in this area. This study follows the Bowling Green State University (BGSU) Falcon Marching Band (FMB) during the 2025 …

An Evidence-Based Approach To Boosting Recovery In Endurance Runners, Sayla F. Rios

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement evidence-based recovery strategies among endurance runners. The project aims to decrease injury prevalence, improve recovery behaviors, and reduce perceived muscle soreness.

Background

Running-related injuries are common among endurance runners and are often associated with inadequate recovery. Evidence suggests that the use of recovery strategies may support muscle repair and reduce injury risk.

Methodology

This project used the Plan–Do–Study–Act framework to guide the implementation of strategies. 24 endurance runners participated in the project. Interventions included education and the implementation of recovery strategies, such as adequate protein intake, sleep optimization, self-myofascial …

Does Improved Reaction Time Correlate With Improvements In Sport Performance? A 10-Week Smart Reaction Training Intervention In Division Ii Collegiate Football Athletes, Caleb M. Forst, Christopher C. Mayer

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Introduction: Neurocognitive reaction time plays a critical role in football performance by influencing perceptual processing speed, decision-making, and motor execution. Slower reaction time has been associated with increased injury risk and reduced neuromuscular control, yet limited longitudinal research exists within Division II collegiate football populations. This study examined whether a 10-week smart reaction training program improves reaction time and whether these improvements are associated with performance outcomes, measured by the number of accurate hits. Methods: Thirty-one athletes from the Winona State Football team began the intervention and were divided into position groups (QB, WR, DL, OL); 19 completed the study. …

Comparison Of Total Distance And Sprint Distance Between Positions Of Division Ii Female Soccer Players, Tamas Sebestyen, Jonathan P. Bayer

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Introduction: To manage player health, minimize injury, and optimize performance in NCAA Division II soccer, this study analyzed positional demands using GPS technology. The findings provide insights into enhancing training plans and recovery based on specific positions. Methods: NCAA Division II female soccer players were tracked during sixteen in-season competitions using 10 Hz GPS wearable technology. Players were grouped into tactical roles including Wing Backs (WB), Center Backs (CB), Defensive Midfielders (6), Attacking Midfielders (10), and Forwards (9). Key metrics analyzed included Total Distance (TD), Total Sprint Distance (TSD), and Distance per Minute (D/M). Results: Forwards (9) and attacking midfielders …

Advancing Athletic Recovery: The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Sports Medicine, Hannah E. Oakerson, Rebecca King, Rebecca Caudrillier

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project aimed to assess whether an occupation-based educational program could improve recovery engagement, self-efficacy, and quality of life in athletes following sports-related injuries. An Athlete Recovery Guidebook was designed, implemented, and evaluated within an outpatient sports medicine setting. The guidebook provided structured education on recovery routines, symptom management, and health habits, while supporting integration into daily life. Findings from pre- and post-surveys and qualitative feedback suggest improvements in recovery knowledge, confidence, body awareness, and overall quality of life following program implementation.

A Treatise On Tool Development: The Arthroscope’S Cultural, Technological, And Metascientific Translation, Montgomery F. Waterer

Honors Theses

The arthroscope was a revolutionary development in the fields of medicine, engineering, and ethics. There are many valuable lessons to be learned from the story of its development and translation that are relevant to the future of medicine and society. Beginning with a brief description of the tool’s design, this paper will examine a period within the history of the arthroscope. This window contains multiple innovators and ends with the life and work of Dr. Robert Jackson. In examining the relevant historical facts of its development, this paper will then briefly address the importance of sports medicine in the development …

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy And Career Duration In Former Professional American Football Players: A Literature Review, Malik I. Watson, Chase Forbes, Bhavik Singh, Etop Udoh, Kévin Borgella, Jonathan Mosley, Erik Zarandy

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Background:

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with repetitive head trauma and has been increasingly identified in former contact sport athletes, particularly American football players. Although the relationship between repetitive head impacts and CTE has been well documented, the role of career duration as a measurable exposure variable remains an important area of investigation. Understanding this relationship may provide clinically useful insight for primary care physicians responsible for longitudinal monitoring of individuals with extensive athletic exposure.

Methods:

This literature review examined published studies evaluating the relationship between football career duration, cumulative head impact exposure, and neuropathologic …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Adaptive Sports: Implementation Of A Young Athletes Program In St. Johns County, Gabriellea Elizabeth Zito Fernandez, Cynthia Haynes

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This doctoral capstone project examined the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the Special Olympics Young Athletes Program (YAP) within St. Johns County, Florida, an area with limited early childhood adaptive sports opportunities. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory and the occupation-centered program development model, the project aimed to support participation in inclusive recreation for children ages 2–7 with and without disabilities.

A comprehensive needs assessment, community resource mapping, and collaboration with Brooks Rehabilitation Adaptive Sports & Recreation informed program planning and implementation. A five-week YAP pilot program was conducted, focusing on foundational motor skill development through structured, play-based activities centered on …