Purpose: This study investigates if maternal exercise during gestation has protective benefits from an endocrine disruptor exposure, Benzyl Butyl Phthalate (BBP). Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can ...create oxidative stress, decrease the number of cytokines, and suppress the immune system. The imbalance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) creates oxidative stress and inflammation; however, antioxidants can be used to contract ROS's harmful effects. Exercise is a well-known antioxidant and increases immune system function; therefore, we hypothesized that maternal exercise would create an antioxidant effect on in-utero EDC exposure since exercise produces an antioxidant effect. Methods: This study utilized a two-factor study design that will examine Treatment (BBP vs. sesame oil control oral gavage) x Activity (running wheel access vs. ambulatory control) on pregnant mice and assessed physical activity levels F-1 offspring, as well as sex hormones, body weight, and markers of puberty status in the offspring. We expect that the mice from the mothers exposed to butyl-benzyl phthalate (BBP), and exercise will have higher activity levels and differences in body weight and markers of puberty than the mice with mothers who were exposed but did not run. Results: The main statistical findings were body weight, anogenital distances in the male pup, and mRNA gene expression between the groups. However, there was no significant difference in pup running, vaginal openings, sex steroid hormones, or uterine & seminal vesicles relative weights between groups. Discussion: We conclude maternal exercise can benefit several physiological variables, though larger sample sizes and more parameters need to be studied.
Goal setting is the practice of recording and completing goals that assist individuals to increase performance (Locke & Latham, 2012). Self-talk is classified as dialogue or statements addressed to ...the self that serve a range of functions including instruction and motivation (McCormick et al., 2018). Imagery is the psychological process of creating or recreating an image using as many senses (e.g., sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch) as possible (Vealey & Forlenza, 2015). The purpose of the study was to implement an in-person, multi-mental skill intervention program with one Central California community college soccer team (N=20) and investigate the extent to which the athletes use the mental skills (a) when training, and (b) in a specific performance task (i.e., juggling) and examine changes in their performance. The 3-week intervention included goal setting, self-talk, and imagery. A dependent t-test found no significant difference between pre- and posttest for the mental skills. However, a dependent t-test found a significant increase (p < .05) in right foot juggling, left foot juggling, left-right foot juggling, and the body juggling combination of foot-thigh-head. Four athletes participated in semi-structured interviews after the intervention and reported that they learned a lot about mental skills. A content analysis also revealed that the athletes enjoyed the intervention, especially the interactive components, used the skills when practicing juggling, as well as in their daily lives outside of soccer.
Murine and cell culture models have identified Notch1 as a novel endothelial mechanosensor that may exert a protective role for vascular adjustments in response to changes in vascular wall shear ...stress. However, in vivo studies in humans are lacking. Accordingly, we sought to characterize the concentrations of Notch1 extracellular domain (ECD) prior to, during, and following 20-min of altered shear stress in the brachial artery of ten young and healthy adults (6M/4F). Alterations in shear were induced by placing a pneumatic cuff inflated to 220mmHg around the left wrist. Cuffs were also placed below the axilla of both arms and inflated to 40mmHg to trap the released Notch1 ECD. The right arm (no wrist cuff) was treated as a time control. Blood samples were collected from a superficial antecubital vein of both arms at baseline, 20-min of wrist cuff inflation, as well as 1-min and 15-min following wrist cuff release. The Notch1 ECD was quantified from plasma using a commercially available ELISA kit. Duplex ultrasound was used to confirm alterations in shear stress. In the experimental arm, concentrations of Notch1 ECD remained statistically similar to baseline values following 20-min of reduced antegrade shear stress, but were significantly elevated by ~50% (P=0.033) immediately following cuff release, coinciding with a ~100% increase in antegrade shear. Concentrations of Notch1 ECD remained unchanged in the control arm and were statistically similar to baseline values at 15 min recovery in both the control and experimental arm. These data indicate that Notch1 may be an important mechanistic regulator of vascular function, particularly in response to increased antegrade shear.
INTRODUCTION: Individuals with disabilities that use wheelchairs as their primary mode to carry out activities of daily living (ADL), and those affected by spinal cord injury (SCI), have been found ...to live less-active lives than their able-bodied counterparts, often experiencing physiological changes in the body that can contribute to the development of chronic diseases. Autonomic dysreflexia (AD), marked by a sudden increase in blood pressure (BP) from an unfavorable external stimulus on the lower extremities, is a possible condition that can experienced within this population. Electrical muscular stimulation (EMS) combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) on the lower extremities may lead to hemodynamic adaptations and increases in muscle fiber hypertrophy, improving overall function and quality of life. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to compare acute hemodynamic and skeletal muscle responses to EMS with and without the addition of BFR among individuals that primarily use wheelchairs for ADL. METHODS: 10 everyday wheelchair users were recruited from University of Alabama Adapted Athletics program to participate in three conditions. Conditions included sessions of EMS only, BFR only, and combined EMS and BFR on the lower extremities for varying lengths of time. EMS stimulated the quadriceps muscles into extension for 30 seconds at a time with 5 seconds of rest in-between, for a duration of 20 minutes. BFR was inflated at 40% of limb occlusion pressure (LOP) for 8 minutes on and off with 4 minutes of deflation between inflation times. Measurements taken pre- and post-trial included blood lactate (mmol) as well as blood flow measures of the posterior tibial artery and vastus medialis (VM) muscle cross-sectional area (VM CSA) using ultrasonography. BP and heart rate (HR) were measured noninvasively and continuously during each condition as well as analyzed in 5-minute increments. BP was closely monitored for the purpose of safety in observing any possible incidences of AD among participants. Blood lactate, posterior tibial artery blood flow parameters, and VM CSA from pre- to post-trial were statistically analyzed by the use of one- and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). HR, systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were analyzed by the use of a two-way ANOVA. Percent change was used to analyze HR, SBP, DBP, and MAP with timepoints from pre- to during the trial (10–15 minutes from start) and pre- to recovery time post-trial (5 minutes following the end) for each condition. RESULTS: Blood lactate increased over time within both the EMS+BFR (1.0 ± 0.1 vs. 1.4 ± 0.1; t = –2.73, p = 0.023) as well as BFR only (0.9 ± 0.2 vs 1.5 ± 0.4; t = –2.94, p = 0.017) conditions. There was a significant decrease in posterior tibial artery distance (0.215 ± 0.00 vs. 0.207 ± 0.00; t = 2.47, p = 0.036) and area (0.037 ± 0.000 vs. 0.034 ± 0.000; t = 2.67, p = 0.026) over time within the BFR only condition. Across all conditions, changes in HR (expressed as a percentage change from baseline) were lower post- compared to during the trial (mean difference MD, 95% confidence interval CI): –5.3% (–10.4, –0.1), with the greatest differences observed within the EMS+BFR condition: –11.3% (–21.1, –1.5). Similar responses were observed for SBP (–18.4% –27.1, –9.7) and DBP (–22.9% –37.7, –8.0) in the EMS+BFR condition. There were no significant changes in MAP over time or by condition. CONCLUSIONS: EMS+BFR acutely increased blood lactate over time. The BFR only condition also acutely increased blood lactate as well as decreased posterior tibial artery distance and area over time. Compared to baseline, HR increased during the trial across all conditions, but was significantly lower 5 minutes following the trial in the EMS+BFR condition only. Similar responses were observed for SBP and DBP for the EMS+BFR condition only. There were no observed incidences of AD in any of the conditions, with more favorable cardiovascular responses during and following the EMS+BFR trial. Collectively, our findings support the efficacy and safety of using BFR in combination with EMS with the goal of improving vascular health and function among everyday wheelchair users.
Bu çalışmada oryantiring sporcularının fiziksel ve zihinsel test parametrelerinin sezon sonu yarışma puanları ile karşılaştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmaya Elit Erkekler (E-21E) kategorisinde ...yarışan 21 gönüllü katılmıştır. Tüm katılımcılara fiziksel performans parametrelerini belirlemek amacıyla; otur-eriş esneklik testi, 20 m sprint testi, illinois çeviklik testi, aktif sıçrama testi, squat sıçrama testi, McGill core dayanıklılık testi, izokinetik kas kuvveti ölçümü, koşu tabanlı anaerobik sprint testi (RAST) ve 3000 m koşu testi, zihinsel performans parametrelerini belirlemek amacıyla; d2 dikkat testi, uzamsal görselleştirme testi ve zihinsel döndürme testi uygulanmıştır.Sporcular deneyim yıllarına göre az deneyimli (2-5 yıl) ve deneyimli (5 yıl ve üzeri) olmak üzere 2 gruba ayrılmıştır.Gruplar arasında fiziksel test parametrelerinden 20 m sprint, aktif sıçrama, squat sıçrama, zihinsel test parametrelerinden d2TN, d2E2, d2TN-E ve d2KP puanları arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark bulunmuştur. Aktif sıçrama ve squat sıçrama testlerinde az deneyimli sporcuların, 20 m sprint testinde ise deneyimli sporcuların daha yüksek performans gösterdiği görülmüştür. d2TN, d2E2, d2TN-E ve d2KP puanları incelendiğinde deneyimli sporcular daha iyi performans göstermiştir.Fiziksel ve zihinsel test parametreleri ile sezon sonu yarışma puanları arasındaki ilişkiyi belirlemek amacıyla korelasyon analizi kullanılmıştır. Yapılan analiz sonucunda aktif sıçrama, squat sıçrama, RAST yorgunluk indeksi ve 3000 m değişkenleri ile sezon sonu yarışma puanları arasında istatistiksel olarak negatif yönlü, deneyim yılı değişkeni ile sezon sonu yarışma puanları arasında istatistiksel olarak pozitif yönlü anlamlı ilişki bulunmuştur. Regresyon analizi sonucunda deneyim ve aerobik dayanıklılığın performansa etki eden iki önemli bileşen olduğu sonucuna varılmıştır.
Amaç: En az 4 sene ulusal ve uluslararası düzeyde kürek sporu yapmış ve spor yapmamış 18-19 yaş aralığında olan yetişkin erkek bireylerin fiziki ve fizyolojik özelliklerin ölçülerek ...karşılaştırılmasıdır.Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya 15 milli takım düzeyinde kürek sporcusu, 15 hiç spor yapmamış herhangi bir sağlık problemi olmayan bireyler gönüllü olarak katılmıştır. Denekler fiziksel değerlendirmelerin yanı sıra fizyolojik değerlendirmeler için koşu, sıçrama, denge gibi enerji gerektiren ölçümleri de tamamlamışlardır.Bulgular: Yapılan analizler sonucunda kulaç uzunluğu, endomorfi, esneklik, sıçrama, diastolik tansiyon, Maxvo2, koşu mesafesi ve ortalama performans nabzı test değerleri p=0.001 ve p=0.025 arasında değişen istatistiksel anlamlı farklılıklar saptanmıştır.Sonuç:Sonuç olarak kürek sporunun gelişim döneminde yapılması erkek çocukları üzerinde özellikle fizyolojik açıdan olumlu katkı sağladığı görülmüştür.
Bu çalışmanın amacı aktif spor yapan U-19 yaş grubu futbolcularının antrenman dönemi öncesindeki ve 8 haftalık antrenman programı sonrasında oksijen alım kinetiği parametrelerindeki değişimlerin ...incelenmesidir. Çalışmaya 15 deney grubu ve 15 kontrol grubu olmak üzere toplam 30 futbolcu katılmıştır. Ölçümler koşu bandında Bruce protokolü ve oksijen alım kinetiği değerlendirme protokolleri ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Oyuncular hazırlık sezonunun ilk 8 haftasında normal antrenman programlarına (Haftada 4 antrenman her antrenman 90 dk) devam etmişlerdir. Bu süreç boyunca oyuncuların dayanıklılık antrenmanı içeriği; %90-95 maksimal koşu hızında 4*30 m intervallerden oluşmaktadır ve dinlenmelerin süresi de 3 dakikadır. Yapılan sprint interval antrenman programı öncesi ve sonrasındaki parametreler karşılaştırılarak incelenmiştir. Kontrol grubunda VO2maks (L/dk), VO2maks (ml/kg/dk), süre (dk), VO2 AE (%VO2maks), KAH AE, KAH AE (%KAH) parametrelerinde istatistiksel açıdan anlamlı bir fark bulunmuştur (p<0,05). Deney grubunda ise VO2maks (L/dk), VO2maks (ml/kg/dk), RER, süre (dk), MET, Süre AE (dk), VO2 AE (ml/kg/dk), VO2 AE (%VO2maks), KAH AE, KAH AE (%KAH), VE AE (L/dk), SF AE parametrelerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark bulunmuştur (p<0,05). Egzersiz ve toparlanma oksijen alım kinetiği parametrelerinde deney kontrol grubunda toparlanmada VO2genlik (L.dk-1 ), koşu ekonomisi (ml/kg/km-1 ), τVO2 (s) parametrelerinde anlamlı bir fark bulunmuştur (p<0,05). Deney grubu sabit yüklü egzersizde τVO2 (s) egzersiz sonrası toparlanmada VO2genlik (L.dk-1 ), koşu ekonomisi (ml/kg/km-1 ) parametrelerinnde anlamlı bir fark bulunmuştur (p<0,05). Sonuç olarak, sprint interval antrenman programının kardiyovasküler ve solunum adaptasyonu ve oksijen alım kinetiği yanıtları açısından fark yarattığı belirlenmiştir. Bu açıdan futbol antrenmanlarında yer alması önerilmektedir.
Kinesio® Tape is theorized to reduce pain and aid with movement during treatment of chronic non-specific low back pain. This study investigated the effect that Kinesio® Tape has on patient-reported ...outcome measures and on disability in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. Six volunteers exhibiting chronic non-specific low back pain, based on an included questionnaire, were recruited for this study. Patient-reported visual analog scores (VAS), Oswestry Disability (ODI) scores, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) scores and postural stability measured by the Biodex balance system, as well as timed up and go scores were recorded over two randomized sessions with Kinesio® Tape star technique and with a sham taping. Upon conclusion of this study there was significance found when looking at the pain, timed up and go, and ODI scores but there were not any differences found between the two different Kinesio® Tape taping techniques.
The coaching effectiveness model developed by Horn (2008) describes cultural context as a backdrop that forms beliefs, perceptions, and behaviors displayed by sport coaches. Sue et al.’s (1992) ...multicultural competencies model stresses the value of awareness, knowledge, and skills used in all service fields to strengthen cross-cultural relationships. Therefore, multicultural competence has been identified from these models as a critical component of effective sport coaching. Despite the growing importance of multicultural competencies expressed by, and for, sport coaches (Mesquita et al., 2011; Santos et al., 2010), there remains limited understanding of how coaches obtain and apply multiculturally competent behaviors and skills into their practice and how these behaviors are perceived by their athletes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to (1) highlight the importance of multicultural competence in the area of sport coaching and (2) contribute to the lack of multicultural competence research in sport coaching by considering athletes’ perceptions as well as coaches’ perceptions of coaches’ multicultural competence. To do this, the researcher of this study utilized a quantitative survey design to compare athletes’ and coaches’ perceptions of the coaches’ multicultural competence from 19 college teams to determine if coaches rated themselves differently than the athletes perceived their coach to be. Results indicated that collegiate sport coaches rated themselves significantly lower than their athletes rated them. In addition, the results revealed that coaches rated themselves lowest in terms of their ability to coach transgender athletes. Future work is needed to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of training interventions to help coaches become more multiculturally competent.
This dissertation included two investigations with the overall aim of increasing available knowledge on the effects of napping on physical and cognitive performance of physically active and athletic ...individuals. First, a systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to quantify the effects of experimental studies examining the influence of napping on physical performance, and to identify potential moderator variables. Sixty-one effects derived from 20 studies of predominantly young men resulted in a small, positive, and statistically significant mean effect (Δ = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.24-0.52). Univariate analyses demonstrated significant positive effects for repeated sprint (Δ = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.01-0.80) and shuttle run performance (Δ = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.30-0.78). Only 5 studies objectively assessed sleep duration during the nap opportunity, and moderator analyses found larger effects when the nap duration was not confirmed objectively (Δ = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.33-0.65) compared to naps measured with accelerometry or electroencephalography (Δ = 0.05, 95% CI = -0.23-0.33). No differences in effect size were reported for nap opportunity duration, normal versus restricted prior sleep, time of day variables, or participant physical training status. However, preliminary quantitative evidence and direct comparison studies suggest the potential for these variables to influence the effects of a nap on physical performance.Secondly, an experiment was conducted to test the effect of a nap on physical performance, specifically seeking to address several gaps in the literature identified by the systematic review and meta-analysis. Normally sleeping physically active women (n =19) completed two randomly ordered conditions one week apart: a no-nap control and 45-minute nap opportunity. Outcomes of physical and cognitive performance were measured with the 3-minute burpee test (3-MBT) and the digit-cancellation test (DCT). The nap resulted in increased 3-MBT performance while DCT scores were unaffected.In total, the evidence accumulated in this dissertation support the efficacy of napping to enhance physical performance for active and athletic individuals. In contrast to prior studies, this dissertation did not find a nap to benefit digit-cancellation performance. More research is needed to better understand how the effects of napping vary across diverse groups, athletic settings and circumstances.
