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The Influence of the Preseason Training Phase on Endocrine Biomarkers and Neuromuscular Performance in Collegiate Basketball Players
No full textIntroduction: Elite athletes undergo vigorous training in the effort to initiate physiological responses that over time accumulate to cause positive adaptation, which result in improvements in physical performance. The training stimuli elicit responses from the endocrine and neuromuscular systems that play a part in adaptations and states of recovery. Approaches have been used to monitor the status of the athletes including observing changes in biochemical markers or neuromuscular performance. The preseason is thought to be very strenuous on the players in that they are in the midst of academic stressors as well as the physically taxing nature of the sport in parallel with energy system development and resistance training in preparation to build the resiliency for the duration of the season. Monitoring biochemical markers in conjunction with neuromuscular performance may provide useful information for the evaluation of recovery and strain of the athlete. Coupling the measurements of testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) for hormonal analyses and a sport specific performance test may enhance capacities as a performance practitioner to adjust training sessions in the attempt to enable optimal recovery and positive adaptations. Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in biochemical markers, specifically Testosterone and Cortisol, and the Testosterone:Cortisol (T:C) ratio, as well as neuromuscular performance over the course of the preseason. Methods: This retrospective study included 15 male NCAA Division I basketball players that participated in sport specific training sessions in the preseason training phase. Participants provided written informed consent for their data to be included in the analyses, de-identified data was given to the research team by the athlete performance staff for analysis. Participants provided a salivary sample on a day of no activity that served as the baseline assessment sample. Prior to practice, participants provided a salivary sample used to assess T, C, and T:C ratio as well as performed 3 CMJs on a dual cell force platform to evaluate neuromuscular performance. Following practice, participants provided another salivary sample and performed 3 more CMJs. Participants returned at the end of the preseason training phase four weeks later where they repeated the activities prior to practice and at the conclusion of practice. The eTL of each practice was captured through IMU devices and iTL was assessed through HR monitors and RPE scales. Statistical Analyses: Data normality was confirmed through the Shapiro-Wilk test statistic. The data was also tested for sphericity through Mauchly’s test to confirm variance in differences were similar between groups. If the data indicated the assumption of sphericity is violated through Mauchly’s Test of Sphericity, then the Greenhouse-Geisser correction was used to combat the violation. A paired t-test was used to evaluate the within subject differences in eTL parameters as well as iTL parameters across time. A two-way (Week [Week 1, Week 4] × Time [Pre-Practice, Post-Practice]) repeated measures (RM) analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine Week and Time main effects and the interaction between week and time in CMJ variables. Additionally, the two-way RM ANOVA was used the evaluate the salivary endocrine measures. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. If a significant interaction was determined, a Bonferroni post hoc analysis was performed to isolate simple main effects. When comparing two groups, Cohen’s d (d) effect sizes were utilized and interpreted as trivial (0 – 0.19), small (0.20 – 0.49), medium (0.50 – 0.79), and large (≥ 0.80). The intra- and inter-assay reliability of the hormone assay duplicates were evaluated using the coefficient of variation (CV%). Results: While not practically significant, the only significant difference seen in eTL was Duration, otherwise there were no significant differences observed in eTL or iTL between weeks. There were significant differences in CMJ variables, including EccMF, ConcPF, and Body Mass. For EccMF and Body Mass, the average of the Pre values from Week 1 and Week 4 were significantly lower than the average of the Post values from Week 1 and Week 4. In addition, ConcPF displayed a significant increase from Pre to Post in Week 1 but not in Week 4. However, when the CMJ performances were made relative to Body Mass, no significant differences were exhibited. No significant differences emerged in comparison across the Baseline Assessment and Pre values to examine the influence of an anticipatory effect. Although, T and C both displayed an increase in concentration of the average of the Pre values from Week 1 and Week 4 to the Post values from Week 1 and Week 4. Furthermore, C presented a significant increase from Pre to Post in Week 1, however, this was not apparent in Week 4. Moreover, the absolute change in C levels from Pre to Post in Week 1 was significantly higher than the absolute change produced in Week 4. The T:C ratio showed a significant increase from Week 1 Post to Week 4 Post. Also, the T:C ratio absolute and relative change experienced from Pre to Post in Week 1 was significantly lower than the absolute and relative change from Pre to Post in Week 4. Conclusion: These findings suggest neuromuscular performance remains unaltered over a single training exposure as well as throughout the preseason training phase in relation to body mass. Additionally, the cortisol response following four weeks of the preseason training phase showed to be blunted with the testosterone response unchanged resulting in a more anabolic state while examining the T:C ratio. Therefore, monitoring of physiological status may be of interest to gain insight of whether or not an individual is approaching concerning levels
A case study of the transitions of veteran students to public university
Get PDFCollege campuses across the nation are recruiting and admitting veteran students more than ever. Through their service, veteran students have earned a military benefit through their military service that will cover most of the cost of their college education. With these military benefits in hand, veterans are stepping onto campuses to navigate through bureaucratic red tape and enroll in college courses while adhering to the strict guidelines of their educational benefits. In many cases, there is an incredible backlog of benefit payments that have yet to be distributed due to this paperwork.
As the GI Bill has been updated and tweaked over the last almost 80 years, there has been input from politicians, veterans, veteran groups, and stakeholders. Campus administrators and staff who work with veteran students daily have little say in what policymakers put into these bills, acts, and laws which directly affect veteran students. Micro-level problems veteran students, campus staff, and administrators encounter daily can only add to the challenges that veteran students must contend with when enrolling in higher education. These challenges often cause veteran students to drop out of college altogether or to lose their housing because their bills cannot be paid due to delayed payments.
Since the inception of the original GI Bill in 1944, many studies have been conducted; however, most of the research solely focuses on the physical and mental aspects of transition issues veteran students face. Little research tried to fully understand the recruitment efforts and the first-year transition and how experiences conforming to benefit restrictions affect veteran students in higher education. With the Post 9/11 GI Bill being replaced by the Forever GI Bill, further research is needed to identify recruitment efforts, resources, key individuals, and institutional policy updates that will contribute to furthering and increasing veteran student retention in higher education.
The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine the recruitment and transition experiences of today’s veterans as they are utilizing their Post 9/11 and recently unveiled Forever GI Bill benefits at Public University. For this purpose, this study adopted Schlossberg’s (1984) 4S (situation, self, support, and strategies) theory of adult transition as a theoretical framework. Based on the procedure of the case study, interview data was collected from six veteran students who have recently been recruited and have transitioned to Public University. Five staff members who assist veteran students through the recruitment and transition process while using their Post 9/11 educational benefits were also interviewed. The major findings of this study suggest that veteran students with strong family ties have the support to make informed decisions on where to attend higher education. With strategies in place to assist the veteran student in their transition to higher education supported by family and with the assistance of the Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to fund their educational journey, a strong sense of self must be nurtured once separated from the military. The identity of the veteran as they transition must be supported in their new role as student, civilian and veteran as they navigate the college campus. Findings suggest that transition, either leaving the military or entering higher education must be supported by the veteran, veteran’s support network, and by the staff at the institution. The findings reveal that educational benefits while financially advantageous for paying for higher education costs must be accompanied with strong support of staff members to guide the veteran student through their educational journey to ensure success. By viewing the veteran student, the context and the processes needed to support the veteran student through their transitions from beginning to end contribute to the success of the veteran student throughout their educational career. The study contributes to understanding as to what makes a difference in successfully guiding veteran students through their transition to higher education. An analysis of documents, government reports, policies and articles were reviewed to support interview findings. This research contribution not only expanded the knowledge base in this area but also informed revised institutional policies
Coarse Grained Modeling of Multiphase Flows with Surfactants
Get PDFCoarse-grained modeling methods allow simulations at larger scales than molecular dynamics, making it feasible to simulate multifluid systems. It is, however, critical to use model parameters that represent the fluid properties with fidelity under both equilibrium and dynamic conditions. In this work, dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) methods were used to simulate the flow of oil and water in a narrow slit under Poiseuille and Couette flow conditions. Large surfactant molecules were also included in the computations. A systematic methodology is presented to determine the DPD parameters necessary for ensuring that the boundary conditions were obeyed, that the oil and water viscosities were represented correctly, and that the velocity profile for the multifluid system agreed with the theoretical expectations. Surfactant molecules were introduced at the oil–water interface (sodium dodecylsulfate and octaethylene glycol monododecyl ether) to determine the effects of surface-active molecules on the two-phase flow. A critical shear rate was found for Poiseuille flow, beyond which the surfactants desorbed to form the interface forming micelles and destabilize the interface, and the surfactant-covered interface remained stable under Couette flow even at high shear rates.Ye
Empty Chairs in an Empty Chamber: Deconstructing the Myth of Debate in the U.S. Senate
Get PDFDebate in the U.S. Senate has been revered and mythologized throughout much of our history. The historical impression of Senate debate is that it is robust, civil, and well informed. At the same time, the terms deliberation and debate, particularly in the case of the U.S. Senate, are often used interchangeably by scholars, pundits, and average citizens to discuss Congress’ upper chamber. This dissertation argues that while related, debate and deliberation are separate concepts that need to be studied independently. Likewise, it investigates some of the myths on which the Senate’s reputation is built. To investigate the nuances of legislative debate in the U.S. Senate I analyze floor debate of 111 landmark pieces of legislation from the 103rd through 114th Congresses (1993-2016). I investigate factors that influence which senators participate in debate, shifts in the overall tone of legislative debate, and the types of information senators rely on to support their positions during debate. In general, I find that participation in floor debate is not robust and that senior senators, chamber and party leaders, and Democrats are more likely to participate in debate. I also find that the tone of legislative debate has not, overall, become more negative as the institution has become more partisan. Finally, I find that senators prioritize inserting items that convey political information rather than policy expertise into the Congressional Record during the course of legislative debate
Minutes of a Regular Meeting, The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents, June 21-22, 2022
No full textAn Investigation of Collegiate Choral Directors' Assessment Practices and Beliefs
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to investigate the assessment practices and beliefs of collegiate choral directors. Specifically, I examined (a) the use and frequency of musical and non-musical assessment criteria, (b) their beliefs and attitudes toward assessment, and (c) their perception of their role in shaping the occupational identity of preservice music teachers. Collegiate choral directors from NASM-accredited institutions in the seven states of the SWACDA region were invited to participate in a researcher-designed survey. Data were collected from directors in Spring 2022 (N = 50).
Results from this study indicated that non-musical criteria (specifically rehearsal attendance, rehearsal participation, rehearsal attitude/preparation, and performance attendance) were most commonly used by directors. Informal group verbal feedback and small group/sectional singing tests on choral repertoire were musical assessment methods used most frequently. Respondents reported high levels of assessment self-efficacy and generally valued assessment in the instructional process. On some level, respondents also recognized their role in the occupational identity development, and possible future assessment practices, of the preservice music teachers in their ensembles. Yet, they did not model assessment practices specifically with this in mind. Overall results from this study indicated a disconnect between self-reported assessment beliefs and actual assessment best practices. Implications for music teacher education programs, music teacher educators, and collegiate choral directors are discussed
Evaluating Boundary Layer Features in the CHEESEHEAD Campaign and Their Contribution to Convection Evolution During the 19-20 July 2019 Severe Weather Outbreak
Get PDFInteractions between the atmospheric boundary layer and convective storms provide an opportunity for research bridging the two meteorological fields. Despite this, there remains a pervasive sense within the meteorological community that the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and convection are two separate fields of research. The CHEESEHEAD 2019 project was conducted in northern Wisconsin to study boundary layer responses to spatial heterogeneities. During the project, a multiple-day severe weather event occurred near and south of the CHEESEHEAD domain from 19-20 July 2019, which was forecasted by the NSSL Warn on Forecast Ensemble System (WoFS) ensemble model. This confluence of factors made the case ideally suited for a cross-discipline study into boundary layer evolution and convection evolution.
Boundary layer evolution was studied by comparing composited characteristics within the boundary layer across two remote profiling datasets --- one collected in central Oklahoma in July 2020, and a CHEESEHEAD dataset from Wisconsin in July 2019. It was found that the Oklahoma dataset, despite having a more statically stable boundary layer, was more turbulent than the Wisconsin boundary layer. In Oklahoma a strong nocturnal LLJ developed, with the meridional component developing earlier in the evening than the zonal component. In Wisconsin no evidence of a meridional LLJ was found --- however, there was evidence of a weak zonal LLJ. These results show that boundary layer features may vary considerably across spatial regimes, although the scales of those feature variabilities are uncertain from these results.
These characteristics informed the WoFS verification study, which was performed across three regimes of severe weather on 19-20 July. WoFS low-level wind forecasts ahead of a tornadic supercell were compared to a CHEESEHEAD radar wind profiler, which found that WoFS overestimated low-level shear ahead of the supercell. The second regime was a derecho that merged with the supercell, producing significant wind damage. WoFS wind gust forecasts were too far south with the significant wind potential from this regime, with damaging wind potential aided by a statically unstable boundary layer. The third regime was a line of tornadic severe storms the next morning along a stalled outflow boundary. WoFS forecasted the location of the outflow boundary well, and the boundary’s stall was influenced by the LLJ. These results show strengths and weaknesses of WoFS within certain convection regimes. Furthermore, the results of this work contextualize the influence of boundary layer features on convection evolution and show the benefits that forecasters and researchers may glean from considering the two fields in tandem
The Importance of EDHF in Functional Sympatholysis in Healthy Young Adults
Get PDFFunctional Sympatholysis allows for the matching of increased demands in skeletal muscle oxygenation by increasing exercise hyperemia despite elevated sympathetic outflow. Endothelial-Derived Hyperpolarizing Factor (EDHF) may be involved in functional sympatholysis although its role is not clear. Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to determine the importance of EDHF in functional sympatholysis in healthy young adults. Methods: 14 participants (8 Females) participated in three study visits (2 experimental visits). Experimental visits were identical with the exception of ingestion of a placebo (PLA) (250 mg microcrystalline cellulose) or 150 mg of fluconazole (FLZ) 120 minutes before testing (randomized and counter-balanced). Forearm blood flow, (FBF, doppler and echo ultrasound), mean arterial pressure (MAP, finger photoplethysmography), vascular conductance (FVC, FBF/MAP x100mmHg), and muscle oxygenation (near-infrared spectroscopy) were compared during rest, -20mmHg of lower body negative pressure (LBNP), rhythmic forearm exercise at 20% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) for 5 minutes, and forearm exercise with LBNP for 2 minutes Results: Data are percent change (Δ%) ± SD. FVC declined from rest to LBNP but did not differ between PLA and FLZ (Δ -32.02 ± 18.99% vsΔ -38.16 ± 15.97, p=0.35). During exercise, FVC was unaltered in PLA with the addition of LBNP (Δ 2.92 ± 12.69%, p=0.81), however, declined in FLZ (Δ –11.58 ± 15.06%, p=0.01). exercise within FLZ, exercise + LBNP between PLA vs FLZ, (p = 0.0003). Conclusion: Our results indicate that young, healthy adults were able to maintain FVC with the addition of LBNP induced sympathetic stress during exercise in the PLA, however, when EDHF was inhibited with FLZ, FVC declined. Therefore, EDHF may have an important role in functional sympatholysis