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The Effects of Palm Cooling on Repeat Sprint Ability Following a Fatigue Inducing Protocol in Collegiate Female Athletes
Get PDFInternational Journal of Exercise Science 18(3): 415-426, 2025. Cooling glabrous skin sites, such as the palms, can mitigate core body temperature rise and delay fatigue during physical activity, potentially enhancing performance. However, research on palm cooling (PC) in female athletes remains limited, and existing devices are often costly or impractical. This study evaluated the effects of PC using a novel, cost-effective portable device on repeat sprint ability in female collegiate athletes after a fatiguing protocol. Twenty female athletes (age: 20.1±1.4 years; height: 166.7±6.9 cm; mass: 66.6±9.8 kg; BMI: 24.0±3.9 kg/m²; body fat: 24.9±4.6%) participated in a randomized crossover study. Sessions included a modified Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) followed by a 20-meter repeat sprint test. Athletes used either the PC device (7–15°C) during rest intervals or no cooling (NC). Physiological (heart rate, blood lactate), perceptual (RPE, thermal perception, affect), and performance outcomes (number sprints) were recorded. PC resulted in significantly more successful sprints (≥90% of maximum velocity) than NC (10.3±12.9 vs. 6.0±8.4; p=0.025). No significant differences were observed in perceptual or physiological measures (p\u3e0.05). Palm cooling with a portable device improved repeat sprint ability in female athletes, supporting its use as a practical performance optimization strategy. Further research is warranted to investigate underlying mechanisms and applications across different sports and environmental conditions
IMPACT OF TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS ON THE IDENTIFICATION OF GIFTED ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS
Get PDFThis mixed methods study explored the research question “How do teachers\u27 perceptions of giftedness influence their gifted identification practices of ELL students?” The research included 11 participants—six ESL teachers and five general education teachers—from six schools within the same district. Quantitative data showed that while both ESL and general education teachers expressed confidence in identifying giftedness in ELL students, ESL teachers demonstrated greater awareness and advocacy for nontraditional assessment methods and emphasized the importance of cultural considerations during identification. In contrast, general education teachers were less likely to view cultural differences as a factor. Both groups identified language barriers as a significant obstacle. The interview data uncovered a lack of training in identifying gifted ELL students, reliance on general education teacher recommendations in the identification process, and the shared belief in the value of nontraditional assessment methods. Meta-inferences indicated a disconnect between teachers\u27 confidence and their preparation, as well as differences in perspectives on the role of cultural influences. These findings emphasized the need for integrated training about gifted ELLs and collaborative identification practices that include the insights of ESL teachers and address the unique characteristics of gifted ELL students
Injuries Preceding Severe Knee Tear Injuries in Collegiate Athletes
Get PDFSevere knee injuries in collegiate athletes pose significant challenges in sports medicine. Although extensive research exists on the outcomes of these injuries, little is known about the preceding injury patterns that may predispose athletes to severe knee tears. A thorough examination of antecedent injuries may uncover valuable insights, equipping all involved parties (e.g., team doctor, athletic trainer, physical therapist, strength and conditioning coach) with the information needed to craft targeted prevention and monitoring strategies. PURPOSE: To identify common injury patterns preceding severe knee injuries in collegiate athletes. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted using de-identified injury data spanning 18 athletic seasons from a university’s electronic medical records. A total of 256 severe knee injuries (i.e., complete ruptures of any soft-tissue structure surrounding the knee) among 223 athletes in 19 sports were identified. Injuries preceding the severe knee events were categorized by location and diagnosis according to US Olympic & Paralympic Committee guidelines. RESULTS: Among 537 preceding musculoskeletal injuries, 264 (49.16%) were classified as Preceding-Local Body Area, 173 (32.22%) as Preceding-Nonlocal, 84 (15.64%) as Preceding-Local Body Part, and 16 (2.98%) as previous severe knee tears. The median interval between a preceding injury and the severe knee tear was 116 days (IQR = 219 days). The most common chronological patterns observed in 89 (34.8%) cases were a hamstring strain preceding a knee tear (n = 24), an ankle sprain preceding a knee tear (n = 15), and a knee tear preceding a subsequent knee tear (n = 30). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that specific antecedent injuries (particularly hamstring strains, ankle sprains, and prior knee tears) are associated with severe knee injuries. Enhanced monitoring and targeted interventions for athletes with these preceding injury patterns could mitigate future injury risk. Future research should focus on sport-specific prevention strategies to optimize athlete safety
Mental Toughness and Physiological Function: An Exploratory Analysis of Multisystem Correlates in Healthy Adults
Get PDFMental Toughness (MT) is associated with a mindset of purposefulness, efficiency, and flexibility under stress. Although traditionally conceptualized as a psychological construct, emerging frameworks in psychophysiological toughness and mind-body integration suggest that MT may also be associated with or reflect variation in physical systems. This study explores whether MT can be meaningfully modeled within a multisystem framework of physiological and metabolic function. PURPOSE: To examine the extent to which physiological performance, metabolic health, and body composition predict MT in healthy adults. METHODS: Eighty-four adults (M = 84; 44.7 ± 14.8 years; BMI = 26.8 ± 5.2; %BF = 24.2 ± 7.2) completed the Mental Toughness Index. Participants underwent Bruce Protocol treadmill testing for VO₂max, DEXA scans for body composition, and comprehensive metabolic and lipid panels. Resting heart rate and bilateral handgrip strength were also assessed. A multiple linear regression in Python predicted MTtotal from VO₂max, % body fat, grip strength, BMI, age, sex, and resting HR. Correlation and quartile comparisons complemented regression modeling. RESULTS: The regression model was not statistically significant, F(8, 29) = 1.47, p = .212, but explained 28.8% of the variance in MT scores, R² = .29, adj. R² = .09. VO₂max (β = 0.18, p = .37) and handgrip strength (β = 0.04, p = .83) showed positive trends. Participants in the top quartile of MT had higher VO₂max (M = 39.0 ml/kg/min) and grip strength (M = 57.5 kg) compared to the bottom quartile (M = 33.6 ml/kg/min; M = 48.6 kg, respectively). MTtotal was positively correlated with VO₂max (r = .47) and grip strength (r = .31). CONCLUSION: In this exploratory, hypothesis-generating study, aerobic capacity and neuromuscular strength were positively associated with self-reported MT. These findings offer preliminary support for conceptualizing MT within a multisystem framework that includes physiological function. Future research should examine whether longitudinal or experimental designs can clarify the direction and nature of this relationship, particularly in contexts where both MT and physical fitness contribute to stress resilience
Normative Lower-Body Y-Balance Test Scores in Active-Duty Law Enforcement Officers
Get PDFThe lower-body Y-Balance Test (YBT-LQ) is a closed-chain, functional assessment used to measure balance, mobility, and lower-extremity (LE) stability. Performance on this test can reflect asymmetries in mobility, stability, and proprioceptive control. These attributes may be influenced by occupational demands and physical training habits in tactical populations such as law enforcement officers. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify normative scores for the YBT-LQ in active-duty law enforcement personnel. Establishing reference values for this tactical population may provide a foundation for injury risk awareness and prevention strategies. METHODS: Twenty-three active-duty male law enforcement officers (40.4 ± 9.2 y; height: 178.7 ± 6.8 cm; weight: 93.0 ± 11.7 kg) volunteered to complete the YBT-LQ as part of a voluntary fitness screening. All participants were cleared for active duty, completed a health history questionnaire, and reported no current injuries. However, they were also instructed to stop if pain presented. The YBT-LQ was administered with participants standing on the right leg with hands on hips, and the left leg reach distance being measured in three directions (anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral). Measures were repeated while balancing on the left leg and reaching with the right limb. Limb length was measured bilaterally to determine a composite score for each leg to quantify relative performance. A paired samples t-test was used to compare composite scores for the right and left limb (YBT-LQ-R and YBT-LQ-L, respectively), using SPSS version 30 (IBM Corp) with an alpha significance of p \u3c 0.05. RESULTS: No significant difference was present between the YBT-LQ-R and YBT-LQ-L [t(22) = -1.190, p = 0.25]. The average YBT-LQ-R and YBT-LQ-L scores (86.0 ± 10.5% and 87.4 ± 8.6%, respectively) were below published recommendations in athletes for risk of non-contact LE injury. CONCLUSION: These results provide baseline normative values for YBT-LQ performance in active-duty male law enforcement officers and suggest they may have a slightly elevated risk for non-contact LE injury. These findings may aid tactical strength and conditioning professionals in exercise programming to address deficits in dynamic balance and mobility that could influence injury risk
Validity And Reliability of The Wattbike For The Wingate Anaerobic Test
Get PDFThe Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) is widely recognized for assessing anaerobic power and capacity. While the Lode cycle ergometer has been validated for the WAnT, the Wattbike\u27s validity and reliability require further investigation. PURPOSE: To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Wattbike for conducting the WAnT by comparing its performance metrics in the 30-second test setting to the WAnT on the Lode cycle ergometer. METHODS: 11 participants (male = 7, female = 4; age: Mean = 23 yrs 2.9 yrs; height: Mean = 171.5 cm 8.7 cm; weight: Mean = 76.8 kg 13.9 kg) ± ± ± Familiarization trials for WAnT were completed on both bikes, followed by a randomized testing session on each bike. We measured power output (Wpeak, Wmean), mean power per kg, peak cadence, fatigue index, pre/post-test RPE, and pre/post-blood lactate. Statistics were analyzed using SPSS software. Paired samples t-tests, correlation analyses, and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess the data. Bonferroni correction was applied to control for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Significant differences in peak power (p = .005), mean power (p \u3c .001), mean power/kg (p \u3c .001), and fatigue index (p = .009) were observed between the Wattbike and Lode ergometers, with the Lode consistently yielding higher values. Post-exercise lactate levels at 3 minutes were significantly higher on the Wattbike (p = .008). No significant differences were found for peak cadence, pre-exercise lactate, or 6-minute post-exercise lactate (p \u3e .05). A strong positive correlation was found between Wattbike and Lode mean power outputs (r = 0.890, p \u3c .001), indicating consistent performance trends across devices. Reliability and agreement analyses are ongoing. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary data demonstrate that the Wattbike is a reliable method for assessing power output, evidenced by high correlation coefficients and consistent measures across trials. However, the 30 Second Test setting on the Wattbike does not produce similar power outputs or fatigue index results compared to the standardized Wingate test conducted on the Lode ergometers. Therefore, while the Wattbike is a reliable tool for measuring performance, its preset test protocols may not be valid substitutes for traditional Wingate testing when accuracy in anaerobic power assessment is critical
PERSONALITY AND HOW IT RELATES TO COPING FLEXIBILITY
Get PDFStressful events, negative emotions, and negative events are all a normal part of life. How we react and cope with these events can reduce the damage stress can have on our mental health and well-being. There are many ways to cope with situations, but not all are considered to be beneficial. The ability to alternate between different coping strategies within a given situation is called coping flexibility. Having high coping flexibility is considered to be healthy and adaptive, but not everyone possesses the ability to flexibly cope with situations. Personality may explain individual differences among coping flexibility. The big five personality theory divides personality into five factors: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience. This study aimed to discover which specific personality traits correlate to high and low coping flexibility. Results found that conscientiousness and openness to experience were positively associated with coping flexibility, coping repertoire, coping changeability, and coping reflexivity. Neuroticism was negatively associated with coping flexibility, coping repertoire, coping changeability, and coping reflexivity. Agreeableness had no significant associations. Extraversion was positively associated with coping repertoire, but had no other significant associations. Results of the study found that there were no significant associations between any of the big five personality traits and the ability-based measure of coping flexibility (CFQ). Results of the study found no significant gender differences
INVESTIGATING THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ELM1 AND HSL7 IN THE MORPHOGENESIS CHECKPOINT OF SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE
Get PDFCell shape is essential to understanding the normal regulatory processes that occur within the cell and can indicate there are abnormalities present when there is dysfunction in the cell\u27s development, which can have broader implications regarding human disease. The morphogenesis pathway couples cell division to the timely formation of a daughter bud in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and consists of Elm1, Hsl1, Hsl7, and Swe1 proteins which interact with septins at the bud neck to provide stability for the bud and to facilitate cell division. Elm1 is needed for the recruitment of Hsl1 and subsequently Hsl7. Hsl7 will then tether Swe1 to the septin scaffold at the bud neck. Depending upon the time during the cell cycle, Swe1 is in the cytoplasm interacting with Cdc28, inhibiting Cdc28 from furthering the progression into mitosis. The interactions in this pathway are thought to be linear, however, there is evidence to suggest that this may not be the case. Our research investigated the interactions between Elm1 and Hsl7 in the cell and the role of other morphogenesis pathway protein and their interactions. Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) was utilized to test the interactions between Elm1 and Hsl7. In vitro interaction assays were then utilized to further test protein interactions through protein purification of Elm1 and Hsl7. Kinase Interaction Assays were performed understand any phosphorylation events that may occur, and Phos-Tag SDS-PAGES were used to see the phosphorylation events of our proteins of interest. The results shown here suggest that Elm1 and Hsl7 interaction occurs but is not localized to the bud neck. The results also determined that Spc72 has novel interactions with other morphogenesis pathway proteins, suggesting that there may be a mechanistic interaction at the centrosome before bud neck regulation
EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF PARENTAL ANXIETY, STRESS RESPONSES, AND SENSITIVITY ON INFANT AFFECT REACTIVITY
No full textThis study explores the role of parental anxiety, physiological regulation (respiratory sinus arrhythmia, RSA), and sensitivity in shaping infant affect reactivity. Specifically, it examines whether parental anxiety influences infant emotional responses and whether RSA or parental sensitivity moderates this relationship. Data from 79 mother-infant and father-infant dyads, collected at 4 and 8 months of infant age, were analyzed using a multimethod approach, including self-reported parental anxiety symptoms, observer-rated parental sensitivity and infant affect reactivity, and physiological measures of parent RSA. Results indicate that maternal nonsocial and social anxiety were significantly negatively associated with maternal baseline RSA at 4 months, suggesting that higher anxiety is linked to lower physiological regulation. Paternal social anxiety was linked to greater infant negative affect reactivity. No significant findings emerged regarding parental sensitivity or maternal anxiety in relation to infant affect reactivity. These findings suggest that paternal social anxiety directly affects infant emotional outcomes, whereas maternal anxiety primarily influences maternal physiological regulation without directly impacting infant emotional responses. The study emphasizes the need to explore other factors influencing the intergenerational transmission of anxiety and suggests further research into additional physiological and behavioral mechanisms involved in infant emotional development