To regular exercise and a healthy diet, the American Heart Association (AHA) strongly recommends rope jumping, and according to previous studies, rope jumping is considered a very strenuous exercise. Therefore the purpose of this study was to determine the steady state metabolic cost of repetitive jumping on the Digi-Jump machine, and to determine if exercise on this device is more or less strenuous than similar exercise with a jump rope. We also evaluated relative intensity of this type of exercise, based on each person’s VO2max as measured on a treadmill. Twenty – seven subjects completed two trials, one jumping trial at a rate of 120 jumps per minute (JPM) with the jumping height set at .5 inch for 5 min, and one graded exercise test (GXT) using the Bruce protocol. Oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and rating perceived exertion (RPE) were measured each minute during each trial. Results of this study indicated that steady state VO2 during the 5 min jump test was reached at the 3rd min (p < .05), therefore we equated all other variables (HR, RE, RPE) steady state to be from 3rd min. Average jumping steady state VO2 was 31.1 ± 5.5 ml/kg/min, while average VO2max was 56.4 ± 12 ml/kg/min, thus steady state VO2 during jumping trial was 57.1% of VO2max. Average jumping steady state HR was 149. 2 ± 20.1 bpm, while mean GXT HR was 184.7 ± 9.9 bpm, thus steady state HR during jumping trial was 80.9% of their maximal HR obtained during GXT. Average jumping steady state RER was .99 ± .6,while average GXT RER was 1.15 ± .07, thus steady state RER during jumping trial was 86%, and average jumping steady state RPE was 13.5 ± 1.5, while average GXT RPE was 17.9 ± 1, thus steady state RPE during jumping trial was 75.2%. These data indicate that jumping is a strenuous activity, even if the trial is done on Digi – Jump machine without rope.

A novel anatomical behavioral descriptive taxonomy improves motion capture in complex motor stereotypies (CMS) by indexing precise time data without degradation in the complexity of whole body movement in CMS. The absence of etiological explanation of complex motor stereotypies warrants the aggregation of a core CMS dataset to compare regulation of repetitive behaviors in the time domain. A set of visual formalisms trap configurations of behavioral markers (lateralized movements) for behavioral phenotype discovery as paired transitions (from, to) and asymmetries within repetitive restrictive behaviors. This translational project integrates NIH MeSH (medical subject headings) taxonomy with direct biological interface (wearable sensors and nanoscience in vitro assays) to design the architecture for exploratory diagnostic instruments. Motion capture technology when calibrated to multi-resolution indexing system (MeSH based) quantifies potential diagnostic criteria for comparing severity of CMS within behavioral plasticity and switching (sustained repetition or cyclic repetition) time-signatures. Diagnostic instruments sensitive to high behavioral resolution promote measurement to maximize behavioral activity while minimizing biological uncertainty. A novel protocol advances CMS research through instruments with recursive design.

Muscle Dysmorphia (MD) is characterized by preoccupation with muscularity. Although there is a growing body of research concerning MD, there is a lack of research concerning the potential role exercise training environment has on the clinical features of MD. The purpose of this study was to compare MD symptomology in traditional strength-trained (TRAD) individuals to individuals training in communal high intensity functional training environments (HIFT). Participants were recruited from both types of facilities. Participants (N=376) completed online (Qualtrics) demographics survey and Muscle Dysmorphia Inventory (MDI). One-way ANOVA compared the effect of training environment on MDI scores among HIFT, TRAD, both HIFT and TRAD (BOTH), home gym (HOME), and “OTHER.” Training environment significantly affected MDI for the 5 environments [F (4, 345) = 3.765, p = .005, d = 0.737]. Mean score for TRAD (M = 111.73, SD = 20. 39, [107.78, 115.68]) was significantly higher than HIFT (M = 102.20, SD = 19.59, [99.17, 105.23]). MDI for BOTH (M= 107.06, SD = 18.01, [100.77, 113.34]), HOME (M = 108.89, SD = 22.80, [99.86, 117.90]), and OTHER condition (M = 108.19, SD = 22.43, [97.97, 118.40]) did not significantly differ from HIFT or TRAD. Results suggest training environment is correlated with levels of MD symptomology. Specifically, males and females with higher levels of MD symptoms prefer to train in a traditional training environment, which is potentially more conducive to facilitating and perpetuating MD symptomology. The results of this study provide insight into the social physique anxiety associated with MD, as participants with higher levels of MD symptoms do not prefer to train in a HIFT environment where training occurs communally and other gym members provide extrinsic motivation. Additionally, the results of the present study further our understanding into the psychopathology of MD in that the motivating factors related to aesthetics (high level of body focus) associated with a TRAD environment take precedence over the motivating factors relating to selfimprovement and the desire to increase functional fitness that is associated with a HIFT environment. Results may provide knowledge for creating optimal treatment programs for individuals with clinical MD.

No description available.

<p>This thesis was specifically designed to explore the role of motor information in behavior and learning in the presence and absence of physical and cognitive challenges. The first experiment examined the role of motor information in the maintenance of standing balance. This study found that light touch (motor information) was most useful when visual condition was challenging, eyes closed. Increased benefit of touch in the presence of challenge suggests that motor information may provide similar information as other senses, and act in a compensatory fashion when those senses are challenged. The second study examined the role of motor information, in the form of enactment, in learning a motor communication task. Results from this study support a role for motor information in enriching the learning environment by strengthening memory to reduce rate of forgetting. The third study examined the role of motor information in disease, using motor-centric instruction and guided movements to teach persons with Alzheimer Dementia to bowl using the Nintendo Wii ^TM. The spared motor learning observed in these participants confirms claims in the literature of spared motor function in persons with dementia and strengthens the claim the motor system can provide compensatory information to support challenged cognitive systems. Taken together, these findings add to the current literature supporting motor pathways with information separable form other sensory pathways and spared motor capacity to learn in dementia.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

ABSTRACT This qualitative research study investigated active, older, but youthful, women and their participation in a community exercise program, FitDance. This dance-fitness fitness program began in 1991, in cooperation with the New Jersey Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Community Alliance, with a goal of lowering alcoholism and addiction in senior adults. FitDance has been shown to actively contribute to members’ and their families’ health and well-being by providing effective aerobic dance-exercise training, enjoyment, and community. FitDance was found to improve mental and physical health. FitDance framed older adulthood as a time of potential, wisdom, and growth, (Ranzijn, 2002) beyond decrements. FitDance study participants demonstrated high program adherence levels, with some members training for over 15 years, and two, for over 20 years. This study investigated the value of the FitDance program qualities, including PEEPS: Positive, Enjoyable, Exercise Practice Strengths, and what made participants stay active, engaged, and satisfied with this appreciative group exercise program over time (Cooperrider & Fry, 2013). This study revealed how FitDance has had a positive impact on participants, families, communities, and society. This research considered how this program’s attributes, including priming flow (Csikszentmihalyi, 1997), can be generalized to allow other groups, across domains, to achieve similar positive social-emotional results. This study’s threefold purposes were, first, to present eight active, vibrant, functionally fit, women, ages 71-81, who FitDance, and who are positive role models of motivation, program adherence (training twice weekly from between 5-19 years), and self- determination (Deci & Ryan, 2002). The second purpose was to look at the FitDance model, and how it uplifted mental and physical wellness. The mental health benefits were an important factor emphasized by both participants and their children; efforts to sustain and preserve cognitive and mental health were highly valued. The third purpose examined how FitDance has built a positive community through a social fitness model. The social fitness aspect, combining an enjoyable atmosphere in a professional setting, was deemed an important contributor to motivation and adherence. Participants unanimously revealed that the FitDance program was a place where people felt welcomed, positively engaged, challenged, sincerely praised, and connected to fellow participants. Adult children who were surveyed about their mother’s activity, fitness level, and experience in FitDance substantiated their mother’s general vibrancy and her program satisfaction. The stated goals of the FitDance program were to promote vibrant aging, social connections, and well-being by increasing motivation and adherence in community exercise. These goals were realized. Community group dance-exercise programming has the potential to move masses of people toward health and thriving; this is especially important in gerontological terms, impacting fiscal, and especially quality of life measures. Similar to Aristotle’s investigation of virtue, and views about living the good life (Aristotle/Sachs, 2002), PEEPS: positive enjoyable, exercise practices harnessing strengths, matter. With PEEPS, FitDance offers health and healing against the epidemic of inactivity (Blair, 2009, Sallis, 2009), the age wave (Dychtwald & Flower, 1989), and builds uplifting face-to-face, social capital in a digital world (Putnam, 2000). / Kinesiology

This study analyzed the research on older adults and resistance training exercise and assessed effects on health span and lowering disability rates. A targeted search of the literature was employed using the following key words: sarcopenia, resistance training, hypertrophy, quality of life, disability, activities of daily living, strength training, falls, and functional strength. These were used to find articles that were relevant to the research. Articles were excluded if they focused on young athletes as they did not meet my research age group. Articles that focused on nutrition were also excluded as they pulled the focus away from the impact of resistance training on sarcopenia. The final exclusion that was made was to avoid any articles that made the focus on aerobic exercise as opposed to the focus being on resistance training. The age range of the participants was 60 years old to 93 years old. The results of the study saw that out 20 studies/sources cited shows that resistance training has been shown to increase the overall health, both mental and physical, of the 65+ population. Resistance training has been shown to increase functional capacity and ability to do activities of daily living, most importantly it reduces fall risk in the 65+ population. Finally, by helping to reduce fall risk and increasing overall health, resistance training has been shown to reduce the risk of disability in elderly adults. In conclusion, the risk of falls and serious consequences were reduced as the functional capacity and muscular strength of the elderly population increased. Overall, strength training has a positive effect on the elderly population and contributes to them maintaining their health, independence, and quality of life as long as possible.

To date, the exercise-induced immune response in has only been evaluated in subjects performing aerobic exercise. The primary purpose of this study is to determine if repeated bouts of anaerobic exercise will induce a similar immune response in human subjects as exhibited by aerobic exercise. Secondary to immune function, an analysis of performance from trial to trial will be made. Nine males between the ages of 18-25 were selected on a volunteer basis to participate in this study. Subjects performed Wingate tests set in 3 series with 120 seconds between trials within series and 405 seconds between series for an exercise duration of 30 minutes. Blood samples were taken again immediately post test, and 1 hour post test and analyzed for cytokine secretion, epinephrine, and Caspase-3. The present study found that repeated bouts of anaerobic exercise did not alter immune function.

Many Americans do not engage in the recommended amount of physical activity, and thus do not receive the potential physical and mental health benefits from physical activity. Stage of change is a model that categorizes individuals into one of five stages based on behavior and intentions for future behavior. This model is useful for promoting physical activity because it allows for tailoring of interventions to individuals with different physical activity levels and readiness for change. The main purpose of this research was to test if more adaptive scores for Essential Self-Regulation Model (ESRM) constructs are found for persons in higher stages of change. Analyses included 96 Western Kentucky University faculty and staff to test the hypothesis that as stage of change increases, the more adaptive the scores will be in regard to the ESRM constructs, including: self-determination (i.e., subtypes of motivation), self-efficacy, attributions, goal setting, strategy use, and self-monitoring. The results supported this hypothesis for intrinsic, integrated, and identified subtypes of motivation, cost, self-efficacy, and goal setting. Constructs that were not significant but had results in the hypothesized direction were introjected and amotivated subtypes of motivation, strategy use, and selfmonitoring. Attribution scores resulted in the opposite of the hypothesized direction. Conclusions, limitations, implications, and suggestions for future research are discussed.

La presente tesis ha sido un trabajo construido empíricamente a partir de una experiencia teórica y práctica con base en los presupuestos de los estudios de la resiliencia, del vínculo y de la práctica psicomotriz educativa realizada con un grupo reducido de adolescentes en riesgo personal y social. El primer capítulo consta de un recogido teórico de la resiliencia desde el origen del término, pasando por la conceptualización según distintos autores, seguida de las diferentes visiones que ha valorado la referida temática como una cuestión transdisciplinar que puede ser abordada desde diversas áreas del conocimiento humano. La visión de la resiliencia de Boris Cyrulnik basada en la neuroetologia humana moderna, gana relevancia en el presente trabajo por abordar el vínculo como factor fundamental para la promoción de la resiliencia y el desarrollo humano. El segundo capítulo trata de la práctica psicomotriz educativa partiendo de la importancia del juego en la educación, registra el nacimiento de la psicomotricidad dando énfasis a los enfoques vivencial y relacional y a la formación del profesional en psicomotricidad. El tercer capítulo destaca investigaciones realizadas sobre resiliencia, los pilares resilientes, incluyendo la autorregulación como factor resiliente. En este apartado consta la promoción de factores resilientes en el espacio de juego, de acuerdo con observaciones y análisis de la psicomotricidad realizada con una población en riesgo personal y social. El cuarto capítulo ha sido dedicado a la adolescencia puntuando las temáticas de la resiliencia, de la psicomotricidad y proyectos desarrollados con adolescentes. El quinto capítulo aborda la cuestión del vínculo y la relación con el profesional en educación. De acuerdo con el contenido de estos cinco primeros capítulos hemos obtenido los elementos necesarios para fundamentar y asegurar la construcción empírica y metodológica de la investigación, con ello cerramos la primera parte del trabajo ante un marco teórico consistente y coherente con los objetivos propuestos. El sexto capítulo marca el inicio del estudio empírico realizado, estando compuesto por la exposición y el análisis de los objetivos de la investigación, por la fundamentación del diseño metodológico y la explicación de lo en qué consiste el instrumento observacional. Teniendo en cuenta tales aspectos, el diseño observacional ha sido definido como Seguimiento/Idiográfico/Multidimensional (S/I/M) Seguimiento por el hecho de plantear un proceso continuo de observación mediante una serie de sesiones de psicomotricidad, cuyo objetivo mayor se centró en la interacción, en el vínculo adolescente y educadora-psicomotricista. Idiográfico por observar la acción de un grupo reducido de adolescentes considerando que la relación entre iguales contribuye a la convivencia y desarrollo educativo, social y psicológico. Multidimensional por observar diferentes dimensiones en la relación establecida entre adolescentes y la educadora-psicomotricista, generando datos de multievento (multievent). El instrumento observacional se ha concretado en un formato de campo, donde el marco teórico se ha hecho consistente a partir de lo rescatado a través de la práctica psicomotriz y de los estudios de la resiliencia, ofreciendo una gama de informaciones para formatear y autorregular los criterios necesarios en la realización de los registros de datos. O sea, se trata de un instrumento no estándar elaborado ad hoc, construido a partir de los aspectos estudiados en el marco teórico y de la vivencia cotidiana de la situación investigada. El séptimo capítulo trata del campo de investigación y de los participantes del proceso. El octavo capítulo describe el desarrollo del proceso práctico de educación psicomotriz realizado con los adolescentes en riesgo personal y social. El noveno capítulo específica las estrategias de recogida de información y los instrumentos de investigación utilizados en la misma. El décimo capítulo concreta el estudio empírico realizado según el procedimiento adoptado, el rigor científico, los análisis de los datos y los resultados obtenidos del proceso. El undécimo capítulo concluye la presente tesis de acuerdo con los objetivos propuestos, con los resultados de la observación sistematizada de la promoción de la resiliencia visualizada en el vínculo establecido con el educador y adolescentes dentro de la práctica psicomotriz educativa.