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Sedentary Behavior Patterns After ACL Reconstruction
Get PDFInternational Journal of Exercise Science 18(4): 636-658, 2025. Individuals after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are less physically active than their uninjured peers, but little is known about their sedentary behavior (SB). This study aimed to identify patterns of SB in individuals six and 18 months after ACLR. Eighteen individuals after ACLR wore accelerometers for one week during six- and 18-month post-operative assessments (83.3% female, 19.7±5.6 years old, BMI 23.9±kg/m2). The percentage of awake time spent in SB was estimated. A multilevel (two time points – six and 18 months), multidimensional (13 hours) functional principal component analysis generated two sets of unique personalized principal component scores: between-participant (person level principal components, PPC) and within-participant (follow-up level principal components, FPC). An exploratory analysis compared SB patterns with structural and symptomatic signs of knee health outcomes. Participants averaged 65.4±7.5% and 65.7±9.0% time in SB at six and 18 months after ACLR, respectively. The first PPC identified an overall pattern of high levels of SB throughout the day. The first FPC identified a pattern of decreased SB in the morning and increased SB in the evening 18 months after ACLR compared to six months. Our exploratory analysis identified a potential association between this first FPC and knee health symptoms 18 months after ACLR. Different SB patterns existed six months after ACLR. Our findings suggest the time of day when individuals after ACLR are most sedentary and provide a foundation to develop and test interventions to reduce time in SB by substituting periods of physical activity
UA19/16/2 Softball Press Releases
Get PDFPress releases and game statistics for WKU softball team in spring 2025
Tides, Tourists, and Tails: Exploring Human-Wildlife Overlap on the Homer Spit, Alaska
Get PDFCoastal areas present unique challenges for human-wildlife coexistence due to their shared use by people and marine species. The Homer Spit in Homer, AK (59.6481° N, 151.5299° W) is a projection of land into Kachemak Bay on which lodging, restaurants, campgrounds, RV parks, fishing, and a variety of coastal activities exist or occur, especially during the summer months. Two of the most popular nearshore marine mammals that attract visitors are sea otters (Enhydra lutris) and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). These two species spend time swimming, foraging, and resting around the Spit, potentially resulting in co occurrences with humans. Using a conservation behavior approach, observational data were collected on species presence, human activity types and intensity, and environmental conditions such as tide, weather, and time of day. Results indicated that harbor seal presence was positively associated with higher levels of diverse human activity, particularly at a location characterized by stocked fish and heavy use. Sea otter presence, however, showed no significant relationship with human activity or abiotic variables. This lack of association may reflect either a tolerance to human presence or spatial avoidance that was not detectable at the scale of this study. In contrast, harbor seals were more frequently observed in high-use zones when foraging opportunities are present. This project gathered baseline data for evaluating future impacts of the Homer Harbor Expansion Project and highlights the importance of understanding human-wildlife coexistence for these two marine mammals that are subject to regular encounters with humans
AGING IS NOT ALL DOOM AND GLOOM: HOW DO BELIEFS ABOUT AGING MODERATE THE EFFECTS OF MORTALITY SALIENCE ON AGEISM ATTITUDES?
Get PDFThe purpose of the study is to examine how young adults’ beliefs about aging moderate the effects of mortality salience on their ageism attitudes. Past research suggests that ageism is, in part, due to the presence of elderly people reminding people of their own aging process and mortality (Martens et al., 2004). Little is known, however, about how individuals’ beliefs about aging may moderate the impact of mortality salience on their attitudes toward aging. Some people tend to perceive aging-related changes as relatively fixed (i.e., essentialist belief), whereas others perceive them as relatively malleable (nonessentialist belief). Would a more malleable view of aging reduce the negative impact of mortality salience on young adults’ ageism attitude? The present study investigated this question by manipulating mortality salience and measuring essentialist belief about aging and ageism attitudes in a college-student sample. The results did not show a significant main effect of mortality salience priming on ageism attitudes. Beliefs about aging did not moderate the impact of mortality salience either. A significant effect of belief about aging on positive affect was observed, indicating that stronger essentialist belief about aging predicted less positive affect. The implications of the results and future research directions were discussed
PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE IN LOW VS. HIGH COGNITION AMONG OLDER ADULTS AT RISK FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
No full textAlzheimer’s Disease (AD) pathology process is viewed as a continuum beginning with a pre-clinical phase followed by mild cognitive impairment, and eventually dementia. Gaining a deeper understanding of the pre-clinical phase cognitive decline could help develop new strategies aimed to delay or prevent AD. Emerging research suggest a strong relationship between skeletal muscle deficits and pre-clinical AD pathology. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate differences in physical fitness performance between high and low cognition among older adults who are at risk for AD. METHODS: Adults between the ages of 60 and 75 years (n=63) who were at risk for AD were selected for this study. Individuals completed five physical function (PF) tests: handgrip strength, 5-time sit-to-stand, 10-meter walk gait speed, 6-minute walk, and power chair stands (peak force) using a TENDO analyzer. Body composition was analyzed using a DXA. The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) was used to measure cognition. Individuals were grouped into low cognition (LC) or high cognition (HC) groups. Independent t-tests were used to analyze differences in means between low and high cognition (α = .05). RESULTS: LC consisted of 34 adults (M = 14, F = 20) and HC had 29 adults (M = 6, F = 23). LC had a higher weight, body mass index, and lean mass but lower fat percent when compared to HC (Table 1). However, the LC group had poor physical performance in four of the PF tests with moderate effect sizes: Chair Stands, 10-meter walk, Peak Force, and 6-minute walk. LC had greater handgrip strength (p = .02) but relative strength was similar between the two groups (LC = 11.10 gF/gLM and HC = 11.22 gF/gLM). CONCLUSION: Overall, LC had lower PF performances when compared to HC. These results closely resemble with current literature. Thus, low PF may predict cognitive function. Furthermore, lower PF among low cognitive scoring older adults at risk for AD may indicate muscular dysfunction
MUSCLE HEALTH DURING ANOREXIA NERVOSA, AN UNDER-INVESTIGATED MODERATOR OF HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE
No full textAnorexia nervosa (AN) is a highly prevalent and difficult to treat psychiatric disease. Concurrent with bodyweight loss there is a substantial loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. Given muscle mass’s key role in metabolic and overall health, these muscle alterations may be a key determinant of short and long-term health outcomes in this population. In this talk, Dr. Rosa-Caldwell will discuss the current clinical literature on muscle health in those with AN or a prior history of AN. She will also discuss preliminary findings on changes to muscle physiology and biology during AN and following weight restoration, as well as highlight future areas for investigation
Comparison of Kinematic Outputs and Reliability of Plug-in Gait versus Conventional Gait Model 2 During Cycling
Get PDFInternational Journal of Exercise Science 18(7): 712-726, 2025. Motion analysis is used to measure proper bicycle fit, avoid injury, and improve cycling performance. Small changes in position can impact joint kinematics and risk for overuse injury. Concerns regarding the often-used biomechanical model Plug-in-Gait (PIG) resulted in the creation of Conventional Gait Model 2 (CGM2). This study aims to compare kinematic outputs of these two models for cycling biomechanics plus between-day reliability of each model. Thirty-five participants participated in two experimental sessions. PiG and CGM2 marker sets were applied, and data was collected while cycling between 80-90 rpm. Model outputs were compared using session one kinematic data. Reliability tests used session one and session two data. Differences in kinematics were found between models for hip flexion (CGM2 – PiG mean difference = -8.2° ± 5.2°, p \u3c .001), hip frontal plane (mean = 5.4 ± 4.1°, p \u3c .001), hip transverse plane (mean = -5.3° ± 11.6°, p = .011), knee extension (mean = 1.8° ± 4.2°, p = .015), knee frontal plane (mean = -10.8° ± 9.6°, p \u3c .001), dorsiflexion (mean = -1.7° ± 3.6°, p = 0.005), and plantarflexion (mean = 3.3° ± 5.4°, p \u3c 0.001). CGM2 ICCs were good-to-excellent (\u3e 0.75) for all motions except frontal plane knee motion. PiG ICCs were \u3e 0.75 only for ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. If CGM2 is used to assess bicycle fit, reference values should be adjusted based on the difference between models to ensure an appropriate fit is obtained. CGM2 has better between-day reliability, therefore practitioners may consider using CGM2 for serial fit sessions
EXAMINING PAIN AND COGNITIVE DEPLETION FROM PROLONGED SITTING: A PILOT STUDY
No full textPURPOSE: Knowledge workers typically perform seated computer work, which is associated with poor physical well-being. Despite this, changes to the seated work environment have been limited. Exploring how physical symptoms developed while sitting, such as pain, impact the person’s ability to complete tasks may provide change justifications. This pilot study explored how cognitive depletion (a state of reduced cognitive capacity for initiative, choice, and self-regulation) and physical pain are affected during a 2-hr seated computer work simulation. METHODS: Nine participants (7 female) aged 18-40 who were employed in a job with at least 50% computer tasks worked at a computer workstation in a research lab for 120 minutes. They took surveys at 0, 60, and 120 minutes and did standardized mouse and keyboard tasks in between. Perceived pain was measured using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Pain Scale and the Physical Symptom Inventory. Cognitive depletion was measured using five questions, such as “I feel drained right now” and “My mental energy is running low right now.” A non-parametric repeated measures ANOVA assessed changes in cognitive depletion over time, and descriptive statistics were calculated for cognitive depletion based on pain over time. RESULTS: Cognitive depletion increased over time (p=.045), from a median of 7 [interquartile range=6-10] at baseline to 17 [15-20] after 2-hrs (max score=25). Seven of 9 participants reported eye strain, and cognitive depletion was higher after 2-hrs in those with eye strain (Table 1). CONCLUSION: Cognitive depletion occurred over two hours of seated computer work and may worsen with pain. Since cognitive depletion may also signal a potential for decreased job performance, future work will expand this study with additional pain intensity, executive function, and job performance (e.g., creativity and error) measures
THE EFFECTS OF ANOREXIA NERVOSA AND LONG-TERM RECOVERY ON GRIP STRENGTH
No full textAnorexia nervosa (AN) has negative effects on many aspects of health and physical functioning, including grip strength. However, it is currently unknown if grip strength recovers following weight recovery after AN. PURPOSE: Investigate the effects of AN on grip strength during active AN and following weight restoration in rats. METHODS: The rats were divided up into healthy control (CON) and stimulated AN. The control group maintained the same food portions throughout the timeline of the project. The AN group was restricted food (50-60% restriction) to reflect caloric restriction of AN. Stimulated AN lasted 30 days; afterwards, AN were allowed free access to food to stimulate recovery. Grip strength was assessed after AN and after designated recovery periods (one, two, or three months recovery). Data was analyzed by pre-planned t-test between AN and CON and different timepoints, with significance denoted at
GRIP STRENGTH, BODY COMPOSITION, AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN COLLEGE STUDENTS
No full textPURPOSE: This study investigates the relationship between body composition, physical fitness, and academic performance in college students, examining how lifestyle choices related to sleep, diet, and physical activity impact well-being and academic success. METHODS: A sample of 405 college students participated in this study, which assessed the associations between handgrip strength (HGS), physical dimensions (height and weight), and academic performance measured by GPA. The study aimed to understand how these physical health indicators correlate with cognitive functioning in an academic setting. RESULTS: Contrary to traditional views linking physical strength to enhanced cognitive function, findings show an inverse relationship between HGS and GPA. This inverse correlation remains even after controlling for height, weight, and sex, suggesting that the factors affecting academic performance are complex and go beyond physical strength alone. CONCLUSION: The study reveals a counterintuitive link between physical strength and academic success, highlighting the importance of a holistic approach to student well-being that integrates physical, emotional, psychological, and academic dimensions