The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of cadence on time trial performance in novice female cyclists. Ten novice female cyclists volunteered to participate in this study. Participants performed 3 sessions: one VO2 peak and two time trials (TT). Cadence was randomly selected and fixed for each TT (60 or 100 rpm) while power output (PO) was adjusted by the participant, as tolerated. Finish time, HR, blood lactate, PO, VO2, and RPE were measured throughout the time trials. The major finding of this study was the significantly faster (p<0.05) finish time (minutes) during the 60 rpm condition (34:23) versus the 100 rpm condition (37:34). Also the 60 rpm TT resulted in significant (p<0.05) differences for HR (155.9 vs 161.2 bpm), gross efficiency (21.1% vs 17.7%), and PO (147 vs 129 watts). These results indicate that novice female cyclists benefit from adopting a low cadence during an 8k TT. / by Patricia Graham. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

The purpose of this study was to determine if resistance exercise altered peripheral BDNF concentration. Eighteen trained male subjects were split into two groups performing varied repetition ranges. DUP-HR and DUP-LR groups trained 3x/week for 8 weeks, and were equated for total volume (repetitions X sets X intensity). Plasma BDNF and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured prior to and immediately following the first exercise session of weeks 1, 2, 4 and 6. Pre-exercise levels were also assessed prior to the second and third sessions of week 1 and 6. Lastly, resting levels were measured before and after training intervention. No group differences (p>0.05) were detected for either biomarker. An acute BDNF elevation (p=0.018) was detected only in the final week of training. IL-6 elevations were detected at all acute measurements (p<0.01). BDNF and IL-6 percentage change correlated significantly (p<0.05) in week-1. No chronic alterations were observed (p>0.05). / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015 / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The purpose of this study was to determine if maximal aerobic exercise promotes BDNF expression in obese individuals. Plasma levels and the expression of BDNF in PBMCs were examined. 22 participants (10 obese, 12 non-obese) completed a V02max treadmill test and blood was obtained pre, post, and 1 and 2 hours into exercise recovery. Plasma and PBMCs were isolated and analyzed for BDNF via ELISA and Western blot techniques. A significant effect for time was observed for plasma BDNF (P= <0.00 1 ). Additionally, A significant group-by-time interaction was found from pre-to-RIH for BDNF expression in PBMCs (P= 0.046). Further, significant correlations were found between BMI and waist circumference (r= .91, P< 0.001), WHR (r= .51, P= 0.002) and Pre-to-RlH ratio (r=0.58, P=0.008). Young obese subject's BDNF response to maximal exercise was consistent with previous studies. Post-exercise BDNF expressed in PBMCs were significantly higher than rest suggesting immunological-neuroprotective interactions in the CNS. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The purpose of this study was to determine the acute effects of caffeine supplementation on strength and muscular endurance in resistance-trained women. In a randomized manner, 15 women consumed caffeine (6 mg/kg) or placebo (PL) seven days apart. Sixty minutes following supplementation, participants performed a one repetition maximum (1RM) barbell bench press test and repetitions to failure at 60% of 1RM. Heart rate and blood pressure were assessed at rest, 60 minutes post-consumption, and immediately following completion of repetitions to failure. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significantly greater bench press maximum with caffeine (p<0.05) (52.9 « 11.1 kg vs. 52.1 « 11.7 kg) with no significant differences between conditions in 60% 1RM repetitions (p=0.81). Systolic blood pressure was significantly greater post-exercise, with caffeine (p<0.05) (116.8 « 5.3 mmHg vs. 112.9 « 4.9 mmHg). Our findings indicate a moderate dose of caffeine may be sufficient for enhancing strength performance in resistance-trained women. / by Erica R. Goldstein. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of compression socks worn post exercise on the perceived rating of muscle soreness. Methods: In a randomly cross over design, 16 subjects performed a soreness inducing protocol. Below knee CG (Compression garments) were worn for the next 6 hours post exercise. HR (Heart Rate), RPE (rate of perceived exhaustion) and time to complete one cycle was measured throughout the intervention. PS (Perceived Soreness) was assessed prior, immediate post, 6h, and 24h post exercise. Results: There was no significant difference in perception of soreness between compression and no compression at 6h post exercise (p=.136) and at 24h post exercise (p=286). Conclusion: Compression socks worn post exercise did not significantly alter ratings of perceived soreness after a soreness inducing protocol. / by Friederike Feil. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2011. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate if any relationship exists between anthropometric measurements with average concentric velocity (ACV) at various intensities in the back squat and the number of repetitions able to be performed during a set to volitional fatigue at 70% of one-repetition maximum (1RM). It was hypothesised that short femurs and total height would be related to slower ACVs and lower total number of repetitions performed. 58 resistance trained subjects were recruited and attended one day of data collection. Subjects performed 1RM testing of the back squat followed by two single repetition sets at 30-90% of 1RM and a 70% of 1RM set to fatigue. There was no significant correlation between femur length and height with ACV at any intensity (p>0.05). A significant negative correlation existed between both height (r=-0.39, p=0.003) and femur length (r=-0.31, p=0.018) with total number of repetitions performed. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the impact of acute highintensity interval Exercise (HIIE) on plasma cfDNA and IL-6 responses in obese and normal-weight subjects. Fifteen subjects (8 obese and 7 normal-weight) were recruited to participate in an acute HIIE protocol. Our results demonstrated a significant elevation across time in plasma cfDNA and IL-6 immediately following acute HIIE, with no difference between obese and normal-weight subjects. Furthermore, cfDNA was not correlated with IL-6 in response to acute HIIE in either group. These findings indicate that the obese state does not further exacerbate the release of acute HIIE-induced inflammatory mediators (cfDNA and IL-6), which suggests that HIIE training may serve as a time-effective exercise strategy to improve obesity-associated inflammation. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The purpose of this study was to determine if barbell circuit training (RTC) as a model for concurrent training is superior to high intensity interval (CTHI) or moderate intensity continuous (CTMI) cycling for changes in muscular strength, hypertrophy, and body composition. Eleven trained males were recruited and counterbalanced into three groups. Each program featured three alternating days of resistance training per week, with one of the above time-equated (30-minute) concurrent training modalities between sessions. All groups increased muscular strength (p<0.05, RTC=7.48%, CTHI=10.32%, CTMI=15.74%) with no group differences (p>0.05). Increases in upper body muscle hypertrophy were similar in RTC and CTMI (p<0.01, RTC=20.18%, CTMI=20.97%), increases in lower body muscle hypertrophy only occurred in CTMI (VM: p=0.01, 38.59%, VLP: p=0.07, 13.33%), while no hypertrophy changes were detected in CTHI (p>0.05), no group experienced changes in body composition (p>0.05). These findings suggest similar muscle performance benefits from barbell circuit or cycling concurrent training. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015 / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The purpose of this study was to predict VO2pak using ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), heart rate (HR), and percent fat (PFAT). Subjects were males (n= 60) (PFAT, M SD = 14.4 6.1) and females (n= 67) (PFAT, M SD = 23.4 4.9) with ages ranging from 18 to 33 years. Subjects performed an incremental cycle ergometer protocol and RPE, HR and Vo2 were measured at each stage until VO2 ak was achieved. Mean RPE and HR at the submaximal workload of 100 watts were, (RPE100) M= 12.7 2.6 and (HR100) M= 146.924.7 respectively. Correlations (p< .001) with VO2p. were -.75 (PFAT), -.66 (HR100), -.67 (FIPE100). The multiple correlation using PFAT, HR100, and RPE100 as predictors of VO2pak was .83 (SEE= 5.28 ml-kg BW'smin"). Each predictor contributed to the correlation (p<.01). The results indicate that PFAT combined with exercise responses of RPE and HR provide valid estimates of VO2peak with a relatively small SEE.

Physical activity, defined as bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure, has many known mental and physical health benefits for older adults. However, as of 2008, only 22.6% of older adults in the United States reported meeting recommended physical activity guidelines. This dissertation examines the role of the built and social environment on physical activity among older adults, with particular focus on physical disorder, or the visual indications of neighborhood deterioration. All empirical analyses use data from the New York City Neighborhood and Mental Health in the Elderly Study (NYCNAMES-II), a three-wave longitudinal study of about 3,500 older adults living in New York City. We first systematically review the existing literature concerning physical disorder as an influence on physical activity among adults of all ages. We find that most prior studies of disorder and activity have been cross-sectional and that disorder has not consistently been associated with less activity across all studies. However, we also find indications that older adults’ activity levels may be more negatively impacted by disorder than younger adults’ activity levels. Next, we use a longitudinal analysis to estimate the association between neighborhood disorder and total physical activity among the NYCNAMES-II cohort. In multivariable mixed regression models accounting for individual and neighborhood factors, for missing data, and for loss to follow-up, we find that each standard deviation increase in neighborhood disorder was associated with an estimated 3.0 units (95% CI: 1.9, 4.2) lower PASE score at baseline, or the equivalent of about 10 minutes of walking per day. There was no significant interaction between physical disorder and changes in PASE score over two years of follow-up. We next apply a latent transition analysis to identify patterns of types of physical activity the same cohort, identifying seven latent classes of activity. Of these seven classes, three pairs of classes were roughly equivalent except for participation in exercise. About three quarters of subjects remained within each latent class between waves; most transitions that did occur were between classes defined by exercise to the parallel class without exercise or vice-versa. More neighborhood disorder was modestly associated with moving out of a sports and recreation class (Relative Risk = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.00, 1.61 between waves 1 and 2, Relative Risk = 1.28, 95% CI = 0.85, 1.93 between waves 2 and 3). Finally, we develop the Neighborhood Environment-Wide Association Study (NE-WAS), an agnostic approach to systematically explore the plethora of neighborhood measures available to modern researchers equipped with geographic information systems (GIS) software. We find that only neighborhood socioeconomic status and disorder measures were associated with total activity and gardening, whereas a broader range of measures was associated with walking. Substantively, we conclude that more physical disorder was associated with less physical activity, potentially due to decreases in sports and recreation among those living amidst physical disorder, though latent transition analysis estimates were too imprecise to rule out chance. Future longitudinal research on physical disorder as an influence on physical activity would benefit from longer periods of follow-up in which more subjects moved between neighborhoods. Methodologically, the NE-WAS approach appears to be a promising way to systematize neighborhood research as the scale of available spatially located administrative data continues to grow. Future NE-WASes might profitably focus on comparing the spatial scale of neighborhood measures.