48760 research outputs found
Sort by
SOCIAL COMPARISON AND PRESSURE: EXAMINING THE ROLES OF SEX AND RANK
Full text linkFaculty in academia face intense competition and growing expectations, often shaped by perceptions of others’ performance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these dynamics were magnified, making social comparison a critical factor in understanding academic workplace pressures. The purpose of this study is to examine the changing work pressures and social comparison tendencies among academics during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is hypothesized that social comparison tendencies will be positively related to time pressure (H1a) and telepressure (H1b), with moderation by sex (H2a and H2b) and organizational rank (H3a and H3b). Using a panel survey of 197 tenure-track and tenured faculty members in the U.S., the study assessed social comparison tendencies in the spring of 2020 (Time 1), and time pressure and telepressure in the fall of (Time 2) using validated scales. Results from moderation analyses showed that social comparison tendencies were positively associated with both time pressure and telepressure. Although faculty sex had a significant direct effect on both stress outcomes, neither sex nor rank moderated the primary relationships. These findings highlight the persistent role of social comparison in workplace stress, emphasizing the need for institutional policies that reduce comparison-driven pressures, promote workload transparency, and support faculty well-being in an increasingly competitive and digitally connected academic environment
DIVERSITY AND PHYLOGENY OF SPIDER BEETLES (PTINIDAE: PTININAE) IN COASTAL CHILE AND PERU
Full text linkSpider beetles of South America have historically received little systematic study, though now they are the subject of recent diversity surveys and documentation. This investigation contributes to the ongoing exploration of spider beetle diversity in South America by adding records for the recently described Cordielytrum and the yet to be described Furcillifer, as well as constructing phylogenies with new genetic material. MaxEnt was used to create an ecological niche model revealing habitat suitability in Chile and Peru for Cordielytrum, a genus of flightless spider beetles currently known only from Peru. Even with few occurrence records, a model with good discriminatory power was generated. The most suitable conditions for Cordielytrum are situated along the coast of Peru reflecting, in part, drainage patterns. The model created in this investigation can be used to guide field surveys and can be improved by adding more occurrence records for Cordielytrum. Phylogenetic analyses using CO1, 16S, and 28S gene fragments supported the validity of the genus Furcillifer. Trigonogenius appeared invariably nonmonophyletic. Further investigation into the clades comprised of Cordielytrum and Trigonogenius is recommended. A novel species of spider beetle, Furcillifer locumbaensis, is described from specimens collected from Rio Locumba near Ite, Peru. Overall, the investigations herein describe the current understanding of spider beetle diversity in Peru and northern Chile as well as suggest that diversity patterns are influenced by temperature, precipitation, topography, and potentially other unidentified environmental variables
INTERSECTING BURDENS: CHRONIC PAIN, SEXUAL TRAUMA, AND CANNABIS USE IN EMERGING ADULT WOMEN
No full textChronic pain is a widespread condition affecting thousands in the U.S. While both men and women face chronic pain, women are disproportionately diagnosed, experiencing 25% more diagnoses annually than men (Rapp et al., 2021). Despite this, little research has explored chronic pain or chronic pelvic pain or their potential links to past trauma (e.g., sexual assault). First-line treatments like opioids carry a high risk for misuse, with women more likely to fall into dependency (McHugh, 2020). As a result, many seek alternative treatments such as cannabis. Understanding the patterns, frequency, risk, and benefits of cannabis use among biological women with chronic pain is essential to assessing its therapeutic potential and risk for dependence. This study examines cannabis use patterns among emerging adult women (18-29) with chronic pain. It explores use frequency, administration methods, and cannabis-related problems. It also examines the impact of past sexual trauma on pain, cannabis use, and cannabisrelated problems. Using a survey distributed via Prolific Academic, we analyzed the relationships between chronic pain, chronic pelvic pain, sexual trauma history, cannabis use frequency, and cannabis use disorder symptoms among a sample of emerging adult women (N= 301). Findings showed significant associations among these variables (i.e., chronic pain, trauma history, cannabis use frequency). However, moderation analyses did not find sexual trauma history significantly influenced the relationship between chronic pain/chronic pelvic pain and cannabis use frequency/disorder. These findings contribute to the discourse on alternative pain management and highlights the need for further research on cannabis as a therapeutic option for young adult women with chronic pain
Blood Flow Restriction Use by U.S. Physical Therapists: A Survey on Settings, Equipment, and Adverse Effects
No full textInternational Journal of Exercise Science 18(5): 736-746, 2025. Blood flow restriction (BFR) combined with exercise has been shown to enhance muscle hypertrophy, strength, and aerobic capacity. While previous studies have evaluated the use of BFR among various practitioners, none have investigated its use exclusively among licensed U.S. physical therapists (PTs). A cross-sectional survey was distributed electronically to licensed U.S. PTs. Participants were required to use BFR currently in clinical practice. Survey items included respondents\u27 demographics, practice setting, exercise mode, the type of BFR equipment used, and adverse events. A total of 134 licensed PTs from 20 states completed the survey. BFR was most commonly used in outpatient orthopedic settings, primarily in conjunction with resistance exercises. The Delfi unit was the most frequently used device (64%). No major adverse effects reported (e.g., thrombosis, rhabdomyolysis, nerve damage). Minor adverse effects, including dizziness, numbness, nausea, and delayed onset muscle soreness, were reported by 8% of participants (n = 11). This survey found no major adverse effects and a low prevalence of minor, transient adverse effects. These findings are consistent with previous BFR safety literature and provide a foundational overview of BFR practices among U.S. PTs
Differences in Fitness Between Cadet and General Population Firefighter Academy Recruits
No full textInternational Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 774-793, 2025. This longitudinal study explored entry route- and age-related fitness differences between cadet (CR) and general population (GR) firefighter recruits. Fitness data were collected from eight separate firefighter recruit academy cohorts (N = 317; 122 CR, 195 GR; 27.17 ± 7.58 yrs, 177.30 ± 8.72 cm, 88.65 ± 17.78 kg). In the first week of the academy, recruits completed an assessment battery including: body composition via skinfold measures to estimate body fat (BF, %) and fat-free mass (FFM, kg); aerobic fitness (VO2peak, mL· kg-1· min-1) and heart rate recovery (HRR1min, %) estimated from the five-minute Forestry Step Test; movement quality via a squat-based movement screen (MES, 0-100); muscular strength via the sum of right and left handgrip (SHG, kg); and muscular endurance via a two-minute push-up test. Due to non-normally distributed data, non-parametric statistical tests were used. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests (α \u3c 0.05) evaluated fitness differences between entry routes. Kruskal-Wallis tests evaluated differences between four age groups: A1 (19-21 yrs), A2 (22-29 yrs), A3 (30-39 yrs), and A4 (40+ yrs). CR had significantly (p \u3c 0.05) lower age, BM, BF, and FFM, but greater MES, VO2peak, HRR1min, and PU. A1 had lower BM, BF, and FFM; and greater VO2peak, HRR1min, and PU (p \u3c 0.01) than all other ages. The range of fitness in recruits upon academy entry necessitates careful programming to support optimization of fitness in all recruits, regardless of age. The fitness elements of an academy may present opportunities to build health and fitness literacy, necessary for career longevity
Rear Leg-Derived Moment Contributes to Resistance Against Hip Extension in Bulgarian Split Squats
No full textInternational Journal of Exercise Science 18(7): 881-894, 2025. The Bulgarian split squat (BSS) is a unilateral exercise that emphasizes hip extension more than knee extension, compared to other squat variations. This study aimed to (1) empirically verify the existence of the rear leg-derived moment (MRL)—a theoretically plausible but previously untested external resistive hip moment acting against the net hip extension moment (MHE) of the front leg—and (2) examine how stance width and forward trunk-leaning angles affect MRL during the BSS. Nine trained male participants performed bodyweight BSS under two stance conditions (wide and narrow) and three trunk-leaning conditions (additional, natural, and reduced forward lean). A motion capture system and force platforms were used to calculate MRL, head–arm–trunk segment-derived gravitational moment (MHAT), and MHE. MRL substantially contributed to the total external resistance acting against the front hip extensors, ranging from 76 to 86 Nm in the wide stance and 49 to 71 Nm in the narrow stance, accounting for 70–97% and 62–98% of the total resistance (MHAT + MRL), respectively. In the narrow stance, MRL increased significantly as the trunk became more upright. The combined MRL and MHAT closely matched MHE, supporting the validity of the proposed mechanical model. These findings provide the first experimental evidence of MRL as a key resistance factor in the BSS. Moreover, MRL may enable practitioners to increase mechanical loading on the hip extensors while maintaining a more upright trunk posture, offering a potential advantage for strength training programs aiming to target the hip extensors with minimal forward trunk inclination
THE EFFECT OF PEA AND RICE PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTATION ON MUSCLE RECOVERY
No full textPURPOSE: This study compares the effectiveness of pea and rice protein supplementation on muscle recovery following muscle-damaging exercise. METHODS: This cross-sectional, repeated-measures study involved seven healthy adults (5 female, 1 males; mean age: 22.2 ± 1.0 years) who completed three trials in a randomized order. Each trial consisted of a 3-day preloading phase, during which participants consumed their assigned supplement (0.4 g/kg body weight) daily. The supplements tested were pea protein (PS), rice protein (RS), or maltodextrin as a control (CN). Following the preloading phase, participants performed a muscle-damaging exercise, consisting of 30 minutes of downhill walking on a treadmill (AMTI, Watertown, MA) at a 20% decline and 1.36 m/s. Immediately after completing the exercise, capillary blood samples were collected to assess creatine kinase (CK) levels using a Piccolo Xpress analyzer (Abbott, Abbott Park, IL). Subsequent to blood collection, participants performed the knee extension strength tests on an isokinetic dynamometer (Human Norm, Stoughton, MA) to assess peak quadriceps muscle isometric torque. Neuromuscular activation of the vastus medialis was measured using an EMG sensor (Delsys, Natick, MA). The strength test was repeated after 1 hour of recovery to assess post-exercise recovery. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni-corrected post-hoc comparisons (p\u3c0.05). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in CK levels between groups (RS: 114.7 ± 70.0 U/L, PS: 89.2 ± 48.3 U/L, CN: 90.3 ± 44.7 U/L, F(2,12) = 1.571, p = 0.247), nor in peak muscle extension torque (RS: 29.5 ± 27.9 nm, PS: 26.8 ± 29.5 nm, CN: 1.3 ± 24.23 nm, F(2,10) = 2.01, p = 0.184) or neuromuscular activation (RS: 36.8 ± 27.7 nm, PS: 32.3 ± 33.0 nm, CN: 13.8 ± 12.4 nm, F(2,8) = 1.47, p = 0.284). CONCLUSION: Pea and rice protein supplementation had no significant effect on muscle damage, peak force recovery, or neuromuscular activation following exercise under the conditions tested
EFFECT OF FIGURE SKATES ON SQUAT KINEMATICS IN AMATEUR FIGURE SKATERS
No full textFigure skaters regularly execute variations of a squat while performing routines. Squats are also used clinically to evaluate functional mobility and stability. However, it remains unclear whether a clinical assessment of the squat represents the same movement pattern as a squat with figure skates. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of figure skates on the squat kinematics of amateur figure skaters. METHODS: Participants (n=10, height: 154.3 cm ± 12.5, mass: 52.5 kg ± 19.8, age: 15.9 years ± 6.3) were collected from a convenience sample of amateur skaters with their own figure skates and at least one year of skating experience. After a standardized 5-minute warmup, seven unshod squats were performed. Unshod squats were performed with a heel lift equal to that of the participant’s skates to maintain consistency between kinematic models. Both squats were performed to maximal depth with the feet shoulder width apart, the toes pointed forward and arms flexed to shoulder height. Joint kinematics in the frontal and sagittal planes were analyzed via 9 inertial measurement units (IMUs) attached to the lower extremities and trunk. Comparisons between conditions were analyzed via group and single subject Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) t-tests (α = 0.05). Kinematic variables for the SPM t-tests were analyzed from 30° before to 30° after peak knee flexion and interpolated to 101 data points. RESULTS: Sagittal plane kinematics were greater in the unshod condition for the ankle (p = 0.03), and knee (p = 0.02), while squats with figure skates resulted increased trunk flexion (p \u3c 0.01) and anterior pelvic tilt (p = 0.02). No significant group findings were found in the frontal plane. However, single subject analyses indicated that 100% of participants differed between conditions for ankle inversion, 80% for knee abduction, and 70% for hip adduction. In the unshod condition, 70% of subjects with differences increased ankle inversion, 66% increased knee abduction, and 57% increased hip abduction. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary findings suggest that squat pattern in the shod condition significantly increases trunk and pelvic flexion, which may place more torque on lower extremity joints. Additionally, clinical examinations of the squat performed without skates may not be representative of athlete movements performed in practice
