Biochemical theories postulate that deficient serotonergic functioning may be etiologically related to affective illness and aggressive behavior. In Study I mood and aggressivity were measured in thirty-six normal male subjects before and after ingestion of a Tryptophan Depleted, Tryptophan Loaded or Balanced amino acid mixture. While no differences in aggressivity were found, the Tryptophan Depleted group scored significantly higher at posttest on the MAACL Depression Scale than the control groups and demonstrated selective attention for dysphoric themes. In Study II a Balanced or Tryptophan Depleted amino acid mixture was administered to eighty normal male subjects prior to placing them in either a positive or negative environment, with or without instructions concerning the potential amino acid effects. The tryptophan depleted group became significantly more depressed than the control group regardless of environmental condition or instructional set. These findings suggest that lowered tryptophan may result in a central serotonergic dysfunction which is causally related to depressive affect and possibly to the pathogenesis of clinical forms of depression.

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Fourteen Ball State University softball players participated in this study to examine the effects of an amino acid supplement, Rebuild II TM, on strength and performance. Rebuild II TM contains high levels of BCAAs and glutamine. Two groups strength trained for ten weeks with the treatment group consuming Rebuild II TM, and the control group consuming a placebo. Subjects were pre and post-tested on the bench press, squat and machine shoulder press for strength, and performed a 90-foot sprint and a vertical jump for performance measures. LBW was calculated from the subjects body weight and percent fat. Pre and post measures were analyzed using a two way Anova variance with repeated measures test with a significant level set at p< 0.05. Both groups showed significant increases in strength and vertical jump performance, but only the Rebuild II TM group had a significant increase in LBW and decrease in percent fat. It was concluded that with a controlled weight training program, softball players will increase strength and vertical jump performance, and by adding an amino acid supplement to an athletes diet, there may be larger increases in LBW and decreases in percent fat while strength training. / School of Physical Education

Thirteen Ball State University, male basketball players participated in this study to examine the effects of an amino acid supplement, Rebuild IITM and glutamine, on strength and vertical jump performance. Rebuild IITM contains high levels of BCAA and glutamine.The thirteen subjects were divided into two groups, Rebuild IIT"'' (n=7) and placebo (n=6). Both groups participated in a ten week strength and conditioning training program. Subjects were pre and post-tested on the hang clean, bench press, squat, and the vertical jump. Changes in percent body fat were also compared. Pre and post measures were analyzed using a 2x2 ANOVA variance with a significant level set at p<0.05. Both groups showed significant increases between pre and post-test measurements in all of the variables measured, but could not be significantly proven to be due to treatment effect. It was concluded that with a controlled strength and conditioning program, basketball players would increase strength and vertical jump performance and decrease percent body fat. Yet in order to determine whether an amino acid supplement may further increase these measurements, a dietary recall must be obtained. / School of Physical Education

Computer-mediated communication [CMC] is beginning to be used more frequently in traditional classrooms. A group of physical chemistry professors have developed Physical Chemistry On-Line [PCOL] modules designed to augment in-class instruction and engage students at geographically dispersed institutions in activities to help them learn physical chemistry concepts. These modules use context-rich scenarios with a guided-inquiry approach, and the WWW and e-mail for information distribution and communication. This allows for intra- and inter-institutional collaboration between module participants. Three modules implemented during the Fall 2000 term are evaluated in this study. In order to assess the effectiveness of PCOL, each student completed a pre-module and post-module survey, pre-module and post-module content questions, and participated in an online discussion group. The primary focus of this analysis was to determine the student's: 1) perception of on-line activities, 2) perception of on-line interactions, and 3) use of computers. / School of Physical Education