48760 research outputs found
Sort by
THE IMPACT OF REMOTE AND LOCALIZED KNEE PAIN ON MAXIMAL STRENGTH OF KNEE EXTENSORS IN COLLEGE AGED INDIVIDUALS
No full textPrevious research has shown conflicting results on whether external application of pain alters maximal strength. These results may be due to the differing location, type, and intensity of applied pain. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if electrical pain applied to the contracting or contralateral knee joint, to mimic osteoarthritis pain, altered maximal strength. METHODS: Twenty-two participants (Females = 9, Males = 12, N/A = 1) completed five visits (2 familiarization and 3 experimental) separated by 48 hours. Participants performed 4 maximal voluntary knee extensions—two with and two without the application of an electrical stimulus that elicited a pain rating of 4 out of 10. The site of pain application either the ipsilateral or contralateral knee, was randomly assigned between visits. Motor unit recruitment was determined using twitch-interpolation and voluntary activation was determined using surface EMG from the vastus lateralis. RESULTS: MVC was reduced when pain was applied to the knee, regardless of pain location (200.0 ± 69.7 Nm vs. 193.7 ± 67.7; p = 0.004 for main effect), motor unit recruitment (78.2 ± 13.6% vs. 75.8 ± 11.9%; p = 0.03 for main effect), and EMG RMS (0.256 ± 0.138 mV vs. 0.226 ± 0.112 mV; 92.0 ± 17.3% of no pain condition; p = 0.0003 for main effect) decreased significantly following application of knee pain, regardless of application site indicating a decrease in neural drive to the muscle when pain was present. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the research indicate that with the presence of external knee pain, there was a significant decrease in force output regardless of the pain being in the contralateral or ipsilateral knee. This indicates that both the localized and distal pain stimulus impacted measures indicative of increasing central fatigue and shows that a decrease in central drive is the main factor resulting in the force decline with the presence of pain
THE IMPACT OF MUSCLE OXIDATIVE CAPACITY ON NEUROMUSCULAR RECOVERY AFTER ECCENTRIC DAMAGE
No full textAfter muscle damage, neuromuscular function is compromised, and exercise tolerance is reduced. Whether baseline (BL) muscle oxidative capacity (MOC), a measure of mitochondrial function, is associated with neuromuscular recovery in humans is unknown. PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that MOC at BL is associated with recovery in neuromuscular efficiency (NME) and torque complexity after muscle damage. METHODS: In 19 healthy adults (23 ± 2 yrs; 9M/10F), muscle oxygen consumption (mV̇O2) was estimated by near-infrared spectroscopy during repeated arterial occlusions ([heme]diff /2 slope) after intermittent isometric contractions performed at 50% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) until task failure. MOC at BL was determined by the recovery kinetics of mV̇O2. Muscle damage was induced by repeated isokinetic eccentric contractions until MVC torque was reduced by 40%. Participants performed MVCs and repeated the task-failure protocol 1h, 24h, 48h, and 7d post-damage. Changes in torque complexity were determined by detrended fluctuation analysis (ΔDFA), approximate (ΔApEn), and sample entropy (ΔSampEn). NME was calculated as muscle torque divided by the root mean square (RMS) of electromyography signals normalized to MVC at BL. Comparisons were made using one-way repeated measures ANOVAs and Tukey’s tests. Relationships were determined by linear regression. RESULTS: MVC was lower 1h and 24h (both, p \u3c 0.05), but not 48h (p = 0.98), post-damage compared to BL. TTF was less 1h (p \u3c 0.01), but not 24h (p = 0.08), post-damage compared to BL. NME at task failure was reduced 1h (0.05 ± 0.03 Nm/%RMS; p \u3c 0.0001) and 24h (0.10 ± 0.05 Nm/%RMS; p 0.05). ΔDFA increased 48h (p \u3c 0.05), but not 1h (p = 0.08), 24h (p = 0.45), or 7d (p=0.64), compared to BL. Higher MOC at BL was associated with greater NME at task failure at BL (p = 0.03; r2 = 0.44) as well as 24h (p \u3c 0.05; r2 = 0.37) and 48h (p = 0.01; r2 = 0.55) post damage. CONCLUSION: Muscle damage lowered NME at task failure within 1h but this effect was reversed by 48h after damage. The recovery of NME after damage was associated with MOC
THE IMPACT OF A SCAFFOLDING GOAL-SETTING APPROACH ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
No full textGoal-setting and scaffolding, respectively, are practices that have been shown to have a multitude of positive effects. However, little research has been done to apply the concept of scaffolding to a goal-setting intervention program. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a scaffolding goal development intervention on overall academic achievement and goal attainment. It was hypothesized that students assigned to a scaffolding goal-setting group would display higher rates of academic achievement and goal attainment. Additionally, it was hypothesized that self-efficacy would positively correlate with academic achievement. Twenty undergraduate students at Western Kentucky University completed a pre-study screening questionnaire, weekly check-ins, a post-study questionnaire, and a review of a goal-setting education website, which assessed their overall academic achievement, rates of goal-attainment, and self-efficacy. Results indicated that none of the hypotheses proposed were supported and that there were no statistically significant relationships presented between the variables. Qualitative data gathered suggests that most participants continued to use goal-setting skills during and after the study, with a number of participants using them to guide daily studying. Discussion and implications are provided
ENGLISH PHRASAL VERB DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ATTENDING AMERICAN REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES
No full textStates who come from non-English speaking countries face linguistic difficulties that hinder both their comprehension and academic progress. These difficulties create communication barriers, often hindering their classroom success and social interactions. These difficulties are often exacerbated by linguistic features that are opaque in their linguistic-semantic interface, to borrow a concept from Generative Syntax, see Partee, 2014). One such English language feature is the phrasal verb—a two-part construction of a verb and particle the combination of which creates its own meaning (e.g., throw up equals vomit). While international students must achieve a language proficiency score on standardized tests, these scores, however high, do not ensure that the students’ ability to comprehend such common constructions. They do not prevent significant language challenges once they arrive on an English-speaking campus in the US. Students are required to understand classroom interaction and other communications no matter how good their test scores (TOEFL/IELTS/GRE) (Kuo, 2001), even when those tests and their preparation preclude or minimally prepare them for these structures. So, a better understanding of the factors that cause these difficulties and challenges not only will help students with their academic journey in the United States, but also educators and institutions which will be able to create a more inclusive and support learning environment, fostering the success and well-being of international students in higher education
BUFFALO LOVE AND OTHER STORIES
No full textThis collection of fiction short stories explores varying mother-son relationships, illuminates underlining spiritual and emotional complexities which characterize the biological bond and exposes the metaphysical challenges which surface when a son transforms into a man. The stories draw from the author’s experiences growing in Ethiopia, and years spent in the U.S. as an adult. However, the stories present fictional contexts and circumstances and are written as pieces of meditation on the mystical relationship between a mother and a son. In particular, the stories closely contemplate on the lifelong impact a mother’s influence can have on a son’s psychological memory
UNCOVERING POTENTIAL: HOW KENTUCKY DISTRICTS IDENTIFY AND SUPPORT HISPANIC STUDENTS IN GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAMS
Get PDFThis qualitative study investigates the strategies and processes utilized by six school districts in Kentucky to identify Hispanic English Language Learner (ELL) students for gifted and talented services. Using interviews with gifted and talented coordinators, the research explores how certain Kentucky districts address challenges in traditional identification methods, such as language and cultural biases, through specific tools and practices. Key themes include the limitations of standardized assessments, the significance of professional learning and cultural competency training for educators, and the implementation of inclusive and equitable referral processes. The findings underscore the importance of culturally responsive assessments, local norms, and alternative methods such as teacher nominations and portfolio reviews in recognizing the hidden potential of Hispanic ELL students. Through qualitative analysis, this study provides a deeper understanding of how districts are working to promote equity and diversity in gifted education, offering implications for improving the representation of underrepresented groups in gifted and talented programs
DASHAR: AN IMPLEMENTATION OF AUGMENTED REALITY TECHNOLOGY FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS
Get PDFSince the advent of the modern automobile, manufacturers have provided means of tracking various critical data points associated with automobile operation, with the most prominent and standardized method being the instrument cluster. These data points include, but are not limited to, automobile speed, engine speed, fuel level, oil temperature, radiator (water) temperature, and battery charge. While this data is updated in real-time as the automobile is running, traditional instrument clusters cannot be modified or adjusted to the automobile driver’s needs, unless extensive after-market modifications are made. These modifications can be expensive, and require great understanding of the automobile’s assembly.
Alongside automobile instrumentation, the Heads Up Display (HUD) evolved from a rudimentary targeting mechanism on firearms and military implements, to advanced electronic systems in military and civilian aircraft, to its inclusion in some automobiles. Automotive HUDs provide a real-time interface, which overlays onto a visible field of operation (i.e. the windshield in front of the driver). Unfortunately, this interface is fixed in information, much like the instrument cluster.
In this paper, a dynamic, Augmented Reality (AR)-based HUD software system is proposed, named DashAR. The DashAR System combines the visual elements found in aircraft and existing automotive HUDs, and the data points displayed in traditional automobile instrumentation. Furthermore, DashAR can be customized to include information not typically included in automobile instrumentation, such as oxygen sensor readings and ambient air temperature. The object of DashAR is to provide automobile drivers the opportunity to use the dynamic nature of the solution to create customized HUD layouts, tailored to their specific needs, for any automobile supporting On-Board Diagnostics II (OBDII) regardless of its age
A Comparison of External Loads in Division III Men\u27s Lacrosse Between High Competition Matches and Low Competition Matches
Get PDFInternational Journal of Exercise Science 18(3): 158-169, 2025. Lacrosse is an open-field, invasion sport with limited knowledge of the physiological demands of gameplay at the Division III level. This study aimed to investigate the external loads of Division III men’s lacrosse players during NCAA season games. Comparisons were made between the external loads placed on the athletes in high competition versus those placed on the athletes in low competition matches. High competition matches were defined as matches against teams that qualified for the NCAA tournament whereas low competition matches included teams that did not meet high competition requirements. The dependent variables measured included total distance, work rate, intensity, 2D load, and 3D load. Defensive players were found to have significantly higher external load values for total distance (m; p=0.003, d=1.43), work rate (m/min; p=0.006, d=1.34), 2D load (AU; p=0.039, d=1.03), and 3D load (AU; p=0.022, d=1.15), while there were no significant differences (p\u3e0.05) for other positions between competition level. Competition level exerts a higher external load for defensive players, but not attack, midfield, or specialists (goalie, face-off). This may indicate the need for specialized conditioning or active load management to deal with potential fatigue based on position and playing time
Observing the Relationship Between Additional Measures of Handgrip Strength and the 6-Minute Push Test in Ambulatory Young Adults
Get PDFInternational Journal of Exercise Science 18(5): 170-181, 2025. Manual wheelchair users have been shown to have low functional capacity and limited ability to perform activities of daily living. Conventional protocols for assessing physical attributes such as muscle function in this population have unique boundaries such as expensive testing equipment and procedures not specific to wheelchair propulsion. The measurement of muscle function using electronic handgrip dynamometry has shown promise in assessing additional characteristics beyond strength capacity alone. This study aimed to determine the correlations of electronic handgrip dynamometry derived strength, time to peak force generation, fatigability (22.40±10.12%), isometric control, and asymmetry with aerobic capacity in ambulatory young adults. We included 34 recreationally active ambulatory adults aged 23.76±3.57 years. Muscle function was assessed using electronic handgrip dynamometry. Aerobic capacity was examined using the six-minute wheelchair push test (1112.17±92.84ft). Fatigability (22.40±10.12%) showed a significant, near moderate negative correlation (r=-0.345, p\u3c0.05) with push test outcomes, while the correlation with all other measures was not-significant. Our findings show that electronic handgrip dynamometry derived fatigability is related to aerobic capacity in those who use manual wheelchairs. Given the relationships shown in the current study, electronic handgrip dynamometry has promise for assessing functional health in persons with disabilities, which has particular relevance for SCI, and could be used in clinical practice and physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) as a tool to examine functional capacity in applicable populations. However, future research is warranted to assess the concurrent validity of the additional measures of handgrip strength assessing muscle function
