48760 research outputs found
Sort by
The Impacts of Land Use and Groundwater Inputs on Stream Health and Habitat of Jennings Creek, Bowling Green, Kentucky
No full textIn Bowling Green, Kentucky, the Jennings Creek watershed encompasses the entire city and surrounding area; however, little work has been completed focused on assessing the Creek’s water quality, habitat, and biological indicators. Jennings Creek is fed by several karst groundwater springs, making it highly vulnerable to contamination due to the rapid connection between the surface and subsurface via sinkholes and underground rivers. An examination of Jennings Creek’s water quality, habitat, and biological indicators provides an assessment of the watershed’s health.
The methodology closely followed the methods for assessing habitat by Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet and was approved for the EPA 319(h) Watershed Plan project underway for Jennings Creek. Three study sites were identified along Jennings Creek for assessment with concurrent water quality sampling. Following sampling, each site received overall scores for habitat health, biological health, and water quality. An overall water quality score for each of the three stream sites was calculated using the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI). A comparative analysis of all sites was then completed by comparing the scores and corresponding ratings. Overall, all sites received poor habitat assessment ratings and marginal Water Quality Index ratings. This is likely due to the high degree of urbanization in the surrounding environment, which increases the risk of pollutants entering the watershed. Both the New Spring and Creekwood sites received poor biological assessment ratings, while Russell Sims received a marginal rating. Through comparative analysis, Russell Sims scored the highest. This is potentially explained by the urbanization and water quality issues faced by New Spring and Creekwood. All sites scored relatively low, highlighting the need for a comprehensive watershed plan
Lateral Hip and Anterior Groin Pain—Division I Women’s Lacrosse
No full textCASE HISTORY: A 22-year-old Division I female lacrosse athlete with prior left ACL reconstruction presented with progressive right lateral hip and anterior groin pain, intermittently radiating to the lateral thigh. She denied neurological symptoms, mechanical catching/locking, or instability, but reported occasional popping. Symptoms were minimally relieved by physical therapy, cupping, and dry needling. PHYSICAL EXAM: Initial: focal tenderness over the right lateral hip (TFL) and mild anterior hip-flexor tenderness; FABER/FADIR reproduced pain. Subsequent exams: full ROM, 5/5 strength, normal gait; FABER/FADIR negative; Trendelenburg, Ober, log roll, and heel strike negative. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES: Labral tear; FAI; gluteal tendinopathy (minimus/medius); greater trochanteric bursitis; femoral neck stress injury. TESTS & RESULTS: Radiographs unremarkable. MRI: insertional moderate gluteus minimus tendinosis with low-grade partial tear and mild peritendinitis; reactive greater trochanter marrow edema; reactive edema at right ischial tuberosity; mild gluteus medius and hamstring tendinosis. Labrum and articular cartilage intact. FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Right gluteus minimus tendinopathy with low-grade partial-thickness tear. DISCUSSION: Abductor tendinopathy is a frequent extra-articular cause of lateral hip pain and can mimic intra-articular disease. Prior contralateral ACL reconstruction likely altered lumbopelvic mechanics, increasing load on right abductors and predisposing to overuse. MRI distinguished abductor tendinopathy from labral pathology. PRP is reasonable after failed targeted rehab. OUTCOME OF THE CASE: Ultrasound-guided PRP to right abductor. Sleep pain improved; lateral tenderness decreased; spasms resolved. No sharp pain in rehab; residual tightness/fatigue and deep ache post-load. Follow-up ultrasound: less inflammation and smaller anechoic areas at minimus insertion. At six weeks, ~25% symptom improvement and functional gains. RETURN TO ACTIVITY AND FURTHER FOLLOW-UP: Phased rehab emphasized gluteal strength and lumbopelvic control. Light jogging began four weeks post-PRP, with gradual progression to running and sport-specific drills. Ongoing follow-up will guide adjunct therapy and determine the need for repeat imaging
Investigating Flexibility Improvements with Blood Flow Restriction in a Senior Yoga Program
No full textWhile blood flow restriction (BFR) in combination with low intensity exercise is known to stimulate muscle hypertrophy, its influence on flexibility is yet to be determined.
PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine if adding BFR to a Yoga intervention results in greater flexibility improvements in older adults (OA).
METHODS: 25 OA (20 F, 5 M; mean age of 69.3 ± 5.7), participated in a 4-week, bi-weekly, 1hour Yoga session on Zoom. Participants were randomized to a BFR group (n=13) or a control group (CON) (n=12). The BFR group received 4 bands to place on their proximal arms and thighs. Tightness was evaluated based on a response of 7 (moderate pressure without pain) out of 10 using a perceived tightness scale as well as ensuring that one finger could fit between the band and limb. This scale has been found to lead to a 41.5% reduction in blood flow volume and was deemed comparable to using ~55.3% of arterial occlusion pressure with pneumatic cuffs (Gaspar et al., 2024). Bands were purchased from “BFR BANDS” (5cm thigh, 2cm arm). Medical history was taken prior to ensure those using BFR did not experience a cardiovascular event in the last 6 months or have varicose vein. An assistant served as an “online first aid” to ensure safety during the classes. Adverse events include bruising around the occluded limb which was not observed in this study. Functional flexibility was assessed using the sit and reach test (SR) for hamstring and lower back, and the back scratch test (BS) for dominant (DOM) and non-DOM shoulder flexibility during pre and post testing.
RESULTS: While not statistically significant, the SR test revealed trends of greater mean improvement for the BFR group (pre BFR: 27.6cm ± 6.4; post: 29.5cm ± 6.7), (pre CON: 31cm ± 11.4; post: 32cm ± 10.4). The BS test also showed trends of greater mean improvement in the BFR group for both DOM (pre BFR: -2.8cm ± 11.3; post: -1.3cm ± 10.8), (pre CON: -10.5cm ± 14.9; post: -10.5cm ± 14.7) and non-DOM limbs (pre BFR: -12.5cm ± 10.4; post: -10.5cm ± 10.8), (pre CON: -14.6cm ± 14.2; post: -14.6cm ± 14.2).
CONCLUSION: This research shows that using BFR in a Yoga intervention leads to greater mean improvements trends in upper and lower body flexibility. BFR in combination to flexibility exercises could potentially improve flexibility in OA without needing to increase intensity, therefore reducing risk of injurie
The Impact of a Standardized Warm-up Using Indian Clubs on Shoulder IR and Girdle Stability
No full textIndian clubs (ICs) have re-emerged as a popular training tool for exercise in the fitness industry today but there is limited scientific evidence about the benefits. More research is needed on the various claims made about potential benefits of training with ICs. PURPOSE: To examine the acute effects of a standardized upper-extremity warm-up with and without ICs on shoulder internal rotation (IR) range of motion (ROM), shoulder girdle stability, and perceptual and affective responses. METHODS: Eighteen healthy, resistance-trained adults [Age: 23.5 ± 2.3 yrs; Height: 1.68 ± 0.72 m; Weight: 78.7 ± 13.8 kg; 10 male, 8 female] completed two randomized, counterbalanced sessions: 1) warm-up with ICs and 2) warm-up without external load. Active glenohumeral IR (goniometer), shoulder girdle stability (Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test; CKCUEST), Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE), and affective response (Feeling Scale; FS) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: IR ROM of the right shoulder significantly improved following the IC condition compared with the no-load condition (average IR F(1)=8.74, p=.009; ηp²=.34) (maximum IR F(1)=6.303, p=.022; ηp²=.270). CKCUEST repetitions, normalized scores, and power increased significantly from pre- to post-warm-up for both IC and no external load conditions (p=.004, p=.007; p=.004, p=.009; p=.002, p=.009), indicating enhanced scapular stability, though no between-condition differences were observed. RPE increased significantly after both warm-ups (p \u3c .001) and was higher following IC use (p = .003). FS scores were slightly lower after the IC warm-up (p = .03) but remained positive, indicating a pleasant exercise experience. CONCLUSION: Incorporating ICs during a dynamic upper-extremity warm-up acutely enhances shoulder IR mobility, increases perceived exertion, the intensity of exercise was higher with ICs, while maintaining positive affect. These findings suggest that ICs offer an enjoyable and effective means to increase warm-up intensity and mobility demands, and it may provide particular benefit to athletes and individuals engaging in overhead activity
Effects of Differential Interset Temperature Application on Resistance Exercise Performance and Psychophysiology Responses
No full textABSTRACT
Previous research has explored exposing distal extremities to cold temperatures as a strategy to enhance exercise performance (ExPer). While some studies have found acute ergogenic benefits to indices such as repetitions-to-failure and muscle activity, overall findings remain equivocal. No studies to date have evaluated interset palm cooling (IPC) effects across a full-body (FB) resistance training (RT) protocol. Thus, it remains unclear whether IPC may aid in physiological or performance-oriented outcomes in an ecologically valid context. PURPOSE: This study’s primary purpose was to evaluate the effects of IPC during a FB RT protocol on volume load (VL). The secondary aim was to evaluate the effects on psychophysiological (PsyPhy) markers. METHODS: In a crossover design, participants completed 3 sessions with ≥72 hours between (1 familiarization session consisting of 10-repetition maximum testing and 2 randomized experimental sessions consisting of an identical FB RT protocol). Experimental sessions were either the IPC (2 min. at 10-15°C between RT sets) or the CON (2 min at 22-28°C between RT sets) condition. IPC and CON employed identical application timing and fixed temperature ranges using a water-cooling device (CoolMitt®, Arteria Technology, Inc.). Assessments included exercise performance (VL, REPS, fatigue index, pre-post countermovement jump (CMJ)) and PsyPhy markers (discomfort, session rating of perceived exertion, heart rate, blood lactate, and tympanic temperature). RESULTS: 25 participants (F=12; M=13) completed the study. No statistically significant (p2=0.077 [0.00,0.25]). CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that IPC is unlikely to enhance ExPer or PsyPhy responses in a FB RT protocol and does not have broad utility as a RT ergogenic aid
Community Health Nursing and the Spiritual Domain: Clinical Rotations in Faith-Based Residential Communities for Prelicensure Nursing Students
No full textContextualized spiritual education in undergraduate nursing programs is often limited. Community-based clinical rotations present an opportunity to introduce nursing students to professional practice in faith-based communities. Junior and senior undergraduate nursing students from a state university worked with the wellness nurses at a residential community for older adults funded by the county Catholic diocese. In this unique environment, students participated in nursing care focusing on health promotion and disease prevention and management. This learning opportunity allowed students to have meaningful interactions with residents while gaining insight into faith-based nursing practice and the value of spiritually focused care for vulnerable populations
An Exploratory Study Comparing the Metabolic Responses between the 12-3-30 Treadmill Workout and Self-Paced Treadmill Running
Get PDFInternational Journal of Exercise Science 18(6): 56-64, 2025. The fitness movement in the United States has evolved substantially since its emergence in the late 20th century, with social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok now playing a pivotal role in disseminating fitness programs and associated claims. One program that has gained considerable popularity is the 12-3-30 treadmill workout (12-3-30), which involves walking at a 12% grade at 3 mph for 30 minutes. Despite widespread claims about its effectiveness in burning fat and calories, there is a lack of peer-reviewed scientific studies evaluating these claims. The present study investigated metabolic responses to 12-3-30 compared to self-paced treadmill running, with both sessions matched for total energy expenditure. Sixteen participants (7 female, 9 male) completed both sessions in a controlled laboratory setting, where metabolic data were collected using a metabolic analyzer. The measures recorded were completion time, total energy expenditure, energy expenditure rate, and substrate utilization (percentage of carbohydrate [%CHO] and fat [%FAT]). The results showed that, when matched for total energy expenditure, 12‑3‑30 had a significantly longer completion time, lower energy expenditure rate, higher %FAT, and lower %CHO than self-paced running. While 12-3-30 may be less time efficient than self-paced running for expending energy, it may be more advantageous for individuals aiming to increase fat utilization. The present study enhances our understanding of the metabolic demands associated with a trending fitness program and highlights the importance of scientifically evaluating such programs to provide evidence-based recommendations
