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The Impact Of The Gamesquad Exergaming Intervention For Young Adults With Down Syndrome On Functional Fitness
No full textPURPOSE: Adults with Down Syndrome (DS) face unique barriers to MVPA. Exergames are a home-based exercise option which has shown effectiveness for increasing MVPA in typically developed populations. An exergaming intervention with individual health coaching sessions called GameSquad has demonstrated effectiveness in improving MVPA in children with overweight/obesity and adolescents with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diagnoses, though changes to functional fitness measures are unknown. The purpose of this study was to conduct a 12-week trial to assess the feasibility of GameSquad for adults with DS. METHODS: Adults with DS were given a video gaming console and the exergame Ring-Fit AdventureTM. Ring-Fit AdventureTM is a novel exergame that uses both a resistance ring and body weight to perform numerous upper and lower body cardiovascular and resistance exercises. Participants were instructed to play the game for 120 minutes per week and attend weekly (15-minute) virtual health coaching sessions, during which an individual health coach promoted game usage, troubleshot problems with technology, and collected self-reported minutes of gameplay. Outcomes included functional fitness test results (grip-strength, leg-press, timed up and go, 6-minute walk, y-balance test). Paired Sample t-tests were conducted to detail changes from pre to post. RESULTS: 20 adults with DS (M age = 23.2, 85% non-Hispanic white, 65% female) enrolled and completed the trial. Participants attended 93% of coaching sessions and 90% met the weekly gameplay goal. A significant increase in leg-press was noted (p = .02). No significant changes were noted in grip-strength (p = .78), timed up and go (p = .69), 6-minute walk (p = .88), y-balance test (p = .21). CONCLUSIONS: Attendance to coaching sessions and adherence to the weekly usage goal were high. Lower-body strength increased among this sample. At-home exergaming interventions may present an effective option to increase functional fitness among young adults with DS
Enhancing Materials Data Workflows Through Object-Oriented Design and Large Language Models
No full textBridging classical molecular dynamics and quantum foundations for comprehensive protein structural analysis
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Scheduling self-efficacy surpasses motivational constructs in explaining physical activity adherence in non-Hispanic Black men
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Navigating New Beginnings: Closing the Gap in Freshman Year Support
Get PDFThis study seeks insight into the challenges and opportunities perceived by 9th-grade students enrolled in a larger suburban high school. Seventy-one students responded to a survey exploring their experiences with counseling and the transition from middle school to high school. The survey consisted of 13 questions and was based on existing research on high school transition challenges and the ASCA National Model, ensuring its validity as a measure of student challenges and opportunities. The data was then analyzed, identifying areas of strength for the programs as well as areas of need. The findings suggest that targeted interventions, such as peer mentorship programs, emotional regulation skill-building, and structured counselor check-ins, can enhance student success.https://scholarworks.merrimack.edu/rcac_2025_posters/1006/thumbnail.jp
A Program Evaluation and Recommendation for Students at Rise Academy
Get PDFThis descriptive mixed-methods study explores and theorizes research data points found at a small alternative high school in an underserved, predominantly Latino population in Massachusetts. The main emphasis of this study is on identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the program. This school community comprises 130 total students (between day and night Programs) and supports those with a wide range of differences or challenges. When applicable, the curriculum and data will be reviewed and compared to other alternative and traditional school programs. Components such as attendance, academic progress, screening data, new admission criteria, and the night school program will be reviewed, as well as dropout rates and graduation rates found. Each of these components from the school will be measured in terms of success. Criteria that lack successful components from this current school program being evaluated or are insufficient with information will be cross-referenced and analyzed with other alternative programs. These findings will encapsulate the benefits of the school’s practices and culture, depict how students can succeed with the involvement of other peer reviewed programs, and help distinguish whether changes or modifications should be implemented in the future based on these findings.https://scholarworks.merrimack.edu/rcac_2025_posters/1013/thumbnail.jp
Support Starts Here: Faculty Training for Student Mental Health Awareness
Get PDFStudent mental health issues are on the rise (Wiest & Treacy, 2019). Faculty are key supporters of students; those who do not understand student mental health contribute to a lack of student success and may negatively impact student-faculty relationships. Failure to address these issues leads to an increase in stigma around mental health and seeking treatment. In my project, I will develop a faculty training program to strengthen student-faculty relationships by enhancing faculty awareness of students\u27 mental health and available resources. Following participation in the training, faculty will be able to understand different mental health issues, know how to refer students to mental health campus resources are on campus, and learn how to navigate conversations about mental health with students.https://scholarworks.merrimack.edu/rcac_2025_posters/1024/thumbnail.jp