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Relationship between Body Composition, Vertical Jump, and Push-Up Scores in Active-Duty Law Enforcement Officers
Get PDFPhysical fitness plays a crucial role in the performance and health of law enforcement officers, who frequently face physically demanding situations in the line of duty. Body composition, strength, and power are key components of physical readiness that influence efficient movement, yet their relationship remains underexplored in law enforcement personnel. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between body composition (BC), countermovement jump (CMJ), and push-up (PU) scores in active-duty law enforcement officers. METHODS: Twenty-two active male law enforcement officers (40.5 ± 9.4 y, 178.5 ± 6.9 cm, 93.5 ± 11.7 kg) completed a fitness test battery including a CMJ, push-up test, and body composition as part of a voluntary fitness testing session. All participants were medically cleared for active duty, and health history was reviewed before test administration. Participants had no current injuries that would inhibit participation and were told to stop any movements if pain occurred. Skinfold measures were conducted using a spring-loaded caliper to measure subcutaneous fat at three standard sites for males (chest, abdomen, mid-thigh), and converted into a body composition (%BF). A countermovement CMJ was tested using a portable jump mat. For the push-up test participants completed as many push-ups as possible without stopping using standard ACSM procedures. RESULTS: A significant inverse relationship was observed between body composition and both CMJ (r = -0.59, p \u3c 0.05) and push-up performance (r = -0.55, p \u3c 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of the study indicate that body composition may influence both vertical jump and push-up performance in active-duty law enforcement officers. Higher levels of body fat were associated with reduced power and muscular endurance, highlighting the potential impact of body composition on physical fitness. These findings suggest that maintaining an optimal body composition may help maintain aspects of physical fitness related to job-related performance (and potentially reduce the risk of injuries) in law enforcement personnel
“YOU SHALL BE AS GODS”: XENOGEARS, GNOSTICISM, AND GAMING ON THE MYSTICAL MARKETPLACE AT THE TURN OF THE MILLENNIUM
Get PDFThis thesis explores the role of Christian Gnosticism in the Japanese role-playing video game (JRPG) Xenogears, developed by Square Co. Ltd. and released in Japan and the United States in 1998. In tracing its historical context, development, and localization I argue that Xenogears is an important text in the history of mediated religion in global popular culture. In comparing the game’s narrative against ancient Christian Gnostic texts such as The Apocryphon of John, The Reality of the Rulers, and the Gospel of Judas, I show how the game harmonized, mediated, and reproduced ancient Gnostic mysticism for its players to emulate. These factors combine to make Xenogears a mystical commodity. Xenogears functioned as a commodity on the mystical marketplace through its aesthetic and narrative use of real-world religion
TEACHING OBJECT-ORIENTED DESIGN THROUGH INTERACTIVE UML: A DUAL-APPROACH FRAMEWORK FOR CODE-BASED GENERATION AND DIRECT DIAGRAM MANIPULATION
Get PDFThis thesis introduces an interactive educational framework for teaching object-oriented design through UML class diagrams. The framework implements a dual-approach methodology: code-based generation, where students write Java code that automatically transforms into UML diagrams, and direct diagram manipulation, where students build diagrams by interacting with highlighted terms in problem descriptions. This approach addresses common challenges in teaching UML, including cognitive load difficulties, visualization problems, and the disconnect between code implementation and visual design. Built on the Mermaid diagramming framework, the system features a React frontend for diagram creation and manipulation, and a Flask backend that handles some code parsing and assessment. The framework parses object-oriented structures from student code, transforming them into standardized UML diagrams, while also enabling direct interaction with diagram elements through an intuitive interface. A built-in assessment system compares student diagrams against reference solutions, providing immediate feedback. Consultations with educators and professionals in the field suggest that this approach has the potential to enhance student engagement, accelerate UML skill acquisition, and improve integration of code and design concepts. This research contributes to computer science education by providing multiple learning pathways that accommodate different learning styles while reinforcing core object-oriented design principles
Application of the Sports Technology Research Network Validation Framework to Evaluate Wearable Heart Rate Monitors for the Management of Parkinson\u27s Disease
Get PDFParkinson’s disease (PD) affects over 6.1 million people worldwide and is characterized by progressive dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra, contributing to motor symptoms and reduced quality of life. Aerobic exercise at intensities near 80% HRmax promotes dopamine release and neuroplasticity, making heart rate (HR)-guided training a promising therapeutic strategy. Although the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) is commonly used to estimate intensity, it lacks precision for monitoring real-time training load. Wearable HR monitors offer an objective alternative; however, limited validation exists in exercise contexts relevant to clinical populations such as PD. PURPOSE: To assess the accuracy of three commercial HR monitors (Polar, Garmin, WHOOP) compared to a gold-standard ECG (GE Dash 5000) during treadmill-based aerobic exercise in a healthy cohort, to inform future application in PD rehabilitation. METHODS: In this IRB-approved study (#2113291-4), 45 healthy adults completed a standardized treadmill protocol while HR was recorded every 10 seconds. Accuracy was evaluated using concordance correlation and Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: Polar showed the highest agreement with ECG (r² = 0.71), followed by Garmin (r² = 0.62) and WHOOP (r² = 0.26). WHOOP exhibited the greatest variability (SD = 19.86), especially at HRs above 125 BPM. Data loss rates were 11.5% (ECG), 2.5% (Polar), 5.3% (Garmin), and 19.6% (WHOOP). Polar and Garmin exhibited substantially lower variability compared to WHOOP (19.86), with SDs of 10.80 and 12.55, respectively. CONCLUSION: Among the devices tested, Polar provided the most accurate and consistent HR data relative to ECG. Validating wearable monitors in a healthy population performing structured aerobic exercise is a critical step toward safely integrating HR-guided training into PD rehabilitation, where precision is essential for driving neuroplastic adaptation
The Impact of Weighted Vest Exercise on Central Hemodynamics
Get PDFExercise enthusiasts use ergogenic aids, such as weighted vests, to improve health and enhance exercise adaptations. Previous studies suggest that weighted vest use during exercise may influence peripheral blood pressure (BP). While peripheral BP provides insight into cardiovascular health, central blood pressure (cBP)—though more challenging to assess—is a more accurate index of cardiovascular stress. Recent advancements have enabled noninvasive estimation of cBP using validated modeling techniques. However, the impact of weighted vest use on estimated cBP remains unclear. PURPOSE: To examine differences in estimated cBP with and without a weighted vest at self-selected exercise intensity. METHODS: In two study visits, 17 physically active adults (n = 6 women) ran 0.5 miles on a treadmill at an exertion level corresponding to 11-12 RPE on the Borg scale, once wearing a weighted vest standardized to 10% of their body weight and once wearing the vest unweighted. A brachial oscillometric cuff was used to measure the suprasystolic BP waveform and estimate central hemodynamic variables at baseline, 5 minutes after exercise, and 15 minutes after exercise. cBP and peripheral augmentation index (pAIx) were estimated by simulating the arterial system using elastic, thin-walled tube elements and the Navier-Stokes equation. A RM-ANOVA was used to determine time effects on the variables of interest with and without the weighted vest. RESULTS: There was no significant time × condition interaction effect of the weighted vest on systolic cBP (Vest Pre: 105±9 mmHg, Vest Post1: 115±13 mmHg, Vest Post2: 109±10 mmHg; No Vest Pre: 107±10 mmHg, No Vest Post1: 113±8 mmHg, No Vest Post2: 110±8 mmHg; p \u3e 0.05), diastolic cBP (Vest Pre: 62±7 mmHg, Vest Post1: 74±8 mmHg, Vest Post2: 71±8 mmHg; No Vest Pre: 64±8 mmHg, No Vest Post1: 74±8 mmHg, No Vest Post2: 69±6 mmHg; p \u3e 0.05), or pAIx (Vest Pre: 32±9%, Vest Post1: 25±11%, Vest Post2: 24±10%; No Vest Pre: 31±13%, No Vest Post1: 25±13%, No Vest Post2: 27±13%; p \u3e 0.05). CONCLUSION: Jogging a half-mile with a weighted vest did not significantly alter central hemodynamics compared to jogging a half-mile without a weighted vest. When given the option to self-select exercise intensity, participants appeared to maintain a similar level of exertion and hemodynamic load regardless of weighted vest use
EVALUATING THE EFFECTS OF PARENTIFICATION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
No full textParentification is a term first coined in the year 1973 to describe a role-reversal between a child and a caregiver. Because a child is held to parental standards in a parentified relationship, this dynamic can produce many outcomes, positive or negative. As school psychologists work often, and very closely with students and families, knowing and understanding how a parentified relationship may affect the students they work with is helpful and important. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the outcomes of a parentified relationship, using the following research questions: (1) What are the outcomes of a parentified relationship between a parent and child? Specifically, are they academic, behavioral, and/or social emotional; and are they positive and/or negative? (2) What portion of research on parentification includes youth with documented disabilities (e.g., special education categories)? Utilizing PRISMA procedures, 14 articles were selected for inclusion. Research indicated that parentification can produce largely negative outcomes, and some positive outcomes in those who experienced a parentified relationship. Research did not yield any studies with participants who reported having documented disabilities. The findings of this systematic review may be beneficial to school psychologists as it allows them to understand the effects a parentified relationship can have on the youth they may work with, as well as giving them insight on the potential origin of problem behaviors that youth may display. Being privy to this information can better prepare school psychologists for working with students and their families to meet their specific needs
THE EFFECTS OF RAPID AND SLOW STRETCH-SHORTENING CYCLE MOVEMENTS ON PERCEIVED SORENESS AND PERFORMANCE
No full textResearch has indicated that neuromuscular fatigue and recovery levels do not differ with changes in the speed of the stretch-shortening cycle. Previous studies have shown no differences between a rapid speed stretch-shortening cycle activity (e.g., countermovement jump [CMJ]) and a slow speed stretch-shortening cycle activity (e.g., squat jump [SJ]) during maximal exercise. However, less is known about the effects on perceived soreness, which may impact adherence and, ultimately, performance. PURPOSE: To determine the differences in repetitions to fatigue and perceived muscle soreness between CMJ and SJ in active young adults. METHODS: Resistance-trained young adults (n = 8; 21.8 ± 2.2 y; 5 females and 3 males) completed two sessions in a randomized and counterbalanced order, separated by at least 72 hours. Participants were asked to perform as many jumps as possible until fatigue using a CMJ or SJ. The number of jumps was recorded, and participants reported muscle soreness levels using a Likert scale from 1 (no soreness) to 10 (worst soreness) at 24, 48, and 72 hours following the exercise. Data were analyzed using a paired samples t-test for repetitions to fatigue (mean ± SD; a = .05) and the Wilcoxon signed rank tests for differences in soreness [median (IQR)] at each time point (a = .017 after Bonferroni adjustment). RESULTS: Repetitions to fatigue were higher with the CMJ (45 ± 14 jumps) than the SJ (32 ± 11 jumps; p \u3c .001). There were no differences in perceived muscle soreness between jump conditions at 24- (CMJ: 3.0 (1.0, 5.0) vs. SJ: 2.5 (1.0, 4.0); p = .26), 48- (CMJ: 2.0 (1.0, 4.5) vs. SJ: 1.0 (1.0, 3.5); p = .18), or 72-hours (CMJ: 1.0 (1.0, 3.8) vs. SJ: 1.0 (1.0, 3.5); p = .18). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that there may be no differences in muscle soreness between a CMJ and SJ up to 72 hours after exercise. However, participants performed more repetitions to fatigue with the CMJ than the SJ, suggesting that the speed of the stretch-shortening cycle may play a role in endurance performance. These findings are limited by a small sample size, impacting statistical power and the ability to generalize findings. Future research should explore differences in other jump exercises using a more sensitive measure of perceived muscle soreness
ACHILLES TENDINOPATHY PREVENTION: AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH
No full textPURPOSE: Achilles tendinopathy is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition affecting physically active individuals, particularly athletes engaged in high-impact activities such as running and jumping. The condition is influenced by intrinsic factors (e.g., flexibility, tendon stiffness, muscle strength) and extrinsic factors (e.g., training loads, footwear). This study aims to develop an integrated prevention framework incorporating biomechanical, physiological, and contextual risk factors to mitigate Achilles tendinopathy risk. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted using databases including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Consensus AI. Out of 250 studies identified, 34 high-quality studies were selected for inclusion. The review focused on key prevention strategies, including eccentric training, load management, stretching protocols, and footwear modifications. The included studies were evaluated using PRISMA guidelines to ensure methodological rigor and reliability. RESULTS: The findings highlight that an effective Achilles tendinopathy prevention strategy must integrate multiple risk factors. Key preventive measures include eccentric calf exercises (shown to significantly enhance tendon resilience), dynamic and static stretching (improving flexibility and reducing strain), targeted strength training (enhancing muscle support for the tendon), and load management (balancing stress and recovery to prevent overuse injuries). Additionally, biomechanical interventions, such as selecting appropriate footwear to optimize ankle dorsiflexion, play a crucial role in reducing strain on the Achilles tendon. CONCLUSION: This study presents a comprehensive, evidence-based framework for Achilles tendinopathy prevention. The findings emphasize the necessity of a multidimensional approach that integrates biomechanical, physiological, and training-related strategies rather than relying on isolated interventions. Future research should focus on experimental validation and longitudinal studies to assess the long-term effectiveness of this framework across diverse athletic populations
