Masters Theses

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Browsing Masters Theses by Department "Health & Human Performance"
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    A GOAL-ORIENTED EVALUATION OF THE FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY PROGRAM AT THE SAINT LOUISE CLINIC
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2016-06-28) Murfree, Sarah Tomlinson ; Weatherby, Norman ; Wrye, Bethany ; Health & Human Performance
    Medical residency programs have challenges including cost, quality, and physician shortages. Family medicine residency programs provide training in many specialty areas to ensure physicians have the knowledge needed to treat the whole family. Program evaluations can identify challenges, areas for improvement, and successes in residency programs.
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    Addressing Food Insecurity: Nutrient and Social Network Analysis of Urban Church Food Pantries
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2018) Noerper, Tracy ; Health & Human Performance
    Food insecurity, defined as having limited or uncertain access to adequate and safe food, is a chronic problem for many Americans. Individuals who are food insecure can have poorer nutrient intakes which could lead to or exacerbate chronic disease. Food pantries are part of a multi-pronged approach to help food insecure households access emergency foods and maintain normal and healthy eating patterns. Existing studies suggest that food pantry items are typically deficient in vitamins A and C, calcium and possibly other nutrients such as fiber, vitamin D and potassium. The majority of food pantries in existence today are administered by churches. The purpose of this research is to explore the social networks of urban church food pantries, evaluate church pantry demographics and analyze the nutrient content of pantry food packages. Results of the social network analysis found that medium-sized churches with membership between 100 and 299 had the greatest number of social network ties between church pantries and the zip codes they serve. Demographic results showed that the average church had approximately 400 members with an average age of 48 years old. Of the 96 churches in the sample, 17 (20.24%) were affiliated with the Methodist denomination. Caucasian (white) was the primary race in 62% of church memberships. Forty-six churches indicated they currently had an on-site food pantry. Nutritional analysis of 18 churches providing pre-made food bags revealed that the dairy and fruit food groups were lacking, and met minimum dietary recommendations for less than 2 and 3 days, respectively. Calcium, vitamins A and C were also found in low levels. Protein and total grain food group servings were found to each meet minimum dietary recommendations for at least 10 days. The amounts of sodium and added sugars found in pantry bag foods were considerable and would meet maximum daily limits for 10 and 15 days, respectively. Future research of church food pantries should focus on reducing barriers that limit the distribution of fruit and dairy food groups. Research should further investigate the social networks of church pantries to ensure that the most vulnerable urban populations are not being underserved.
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    AN EXAMINATION OF PREDIABETES, TYPE 2 DIABETES, AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2018) Rajvong, Willie Phanthakone ; Health & Human Performance
    This study aimed to examine the association between type-2 diabetes, prediabetes, and associated factors. The 2015-2016 NHANES datasets were analyzed using complex sample tables and logistic regression. Individuals with BMI classification of overweight, and obesity classes 1 through 3 were more likely to have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes than normal weight; smoking 11 – 20 cigarettes were more likely to have type 2 diabetes than those who smoked 1 – 10 cigarettes; consuming alcohol were less likely to have type 2 diabetes than those not consuming alcohol; meeting recommendations for moderate work-related or vigorous leisure-time physical activity were less likely to have prediabetes than those who did not; consuming ≥ 51g of sugar daily were less likely to have type 2 diabetes than those who consumed ≤ 50g sugar daily. Future research should examine possible cause and effect relationships between factors.
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    AN EXAMINATION OF THE EFFECT OF RECENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT ON CURRENT OPIOID USE
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2019) Bass-Thomas, Cynthia Michelle ; Health & Human Performance
    ABSTRACT The opioid epidemic in the United States has become a public health crisis affecting many American communities. Effective treatment is vital in fighting the opioid epidemic. Existing evidence suggests that providing opioid users with opioid treatment programs (OTPs) is an effective method of treatment that will also provide these users with the best health and social outcomes. A significant barrier to treatment for opioid abusers is access to treatment. The focus of this study was to examine if substance abuse and mental health treatment in the past 12 months have an effect on the amount of days of current opioid use when controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, health insurance, and employment. Current opioid use is defined as one to thirty days (1- 30 days) in this study. The data source consisted of the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Prevalence estimates were calculated using a Factorial Analysis of Variance to assess the effect of substance abuse and mental health treatment as directed by this study. The study results for examining if substance abuse and mental health treatment in the past 12 months had an effect on the amount of days of current opioid use indicated a statistically significant difference (F(1, 86) = 4.332, p =.040), accounting for (8.9%) of the variance.
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    Assessment of 4 weeks of P90x(r) training on muscular strength and endurance, anaerobic power, and body composition.
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2014-06-23) Clark, Casey ; Caputo, Jennifer ; Farley, Richard ; Health & Human Performance
    The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a 4 week P90x training intervention on markers of physical fitness: upper body strength (US), lower body strength (LS), upper body endurance (UE), lower body endurance (LE), mean anaerobic power (MP), and body composition (%BF). College-aged adults (N = 13) were tested before and after the 4 week training intervention with a bench press and half squat exercises, Wingate anaerobic cycling test, and 7-site skinfolds. A one-way repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) documented a relationship between the training intervention and changes in the dependent variables F (1, 5) = 7.37, p = .022, η2 = .898. There were significant improvements observed in US, p = .036; UE p = .003; LS, p = <.001; LE, p = .005; and %BF, p = .004. No significant change was observed in MP, F (1, 10) = 2.35, p = .16, η2 = .19. These findings demonstrate that the P90x training program can be an effective tool for improving measures of physical fitness. Due to its effectiveness, one-time purchase cost, convenience of home-use, and video-led training, P90x could be a viable method for addressing perceived barriers of exercise such as lack of time, cost, lack of an exercise partner.
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    Athletic Trainers' Knowledge of Performance Enhancing Drugs
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2016-07-17) Faircloth, Clayton David ; Ragan, Brian ; Gray, Helen ; Health & Human Performance
    Performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) have been around for years and have recently become an issue in sports. They have effected all levels of sports from high school to professional. There has been 2.9-4.0 million Americans to use some sort of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) (Pop et al., 2014). It’s not only steroids that are used as PEDs there is a long list that will be reviewed in this study. These PEDs have evolved over the years and new drugs are continuously changing. In organized sport Athletic Trainers (ATs) are the primary resource for athletes when it comes to injuries, knowledge on nutrition, and supplements (Burns et al., 2004). It is important for ATs to be able to provide relevant information on PEDs. This study has developed a test to determine an ATs knowledge of PEDs. It will hopefully benefit the patients that ATs treat by encouraging better knowledge of PEDs.
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    BALANCE: RELATIONSHIP TO FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT AND TRAINING TO MINIMIZE ASYMMETRY
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2018) Harrison, Layci ; Health & Human Performance
    Functional movement assessments are used to predict injury in multiple populations, but the components that most contribute to functional movement are unknown. Identifying the influence of static balance via the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) and dynamic balance via the Y-Balance Test (YBT), can provide valuable information to clinicians. This information can be used to help individuals improve functional movement screening (FMS) scores which, in turn, can reduce injury risk. After injury, some individuals experience anterior balance asymmetry, which further increases injury risk. However, early balance training on a limb during rehabilitation is often contraindicated. The cross-over effect, which occurs when training benefits are observed in an untrained limb following training of the contralateral limb, may be helpful in minimizing the development of balance asymmetries following injury. In study one of the dissertation, the contributions of static and dynamic balance on functional movement were evaluated and the contributions of BESS and YBT scores to FMS scores were determined. The effects of unilateral balance training on bilateral anterior reach in those with a bilateral asymmetry in anterior reach was tested in the second study. In the first study, participants from the general population (N = 71) completed the FMS, the YBT, and the BESS. Together (p < .001, R2 = .54) and individually, both YBT (p < .001, R2 = .498) and BESS (p < .001, R2 = .321) were significant predictors of FMS scores. When controlling for age (p < .001, R2 Change = .364) and history of lower body surgery (p < .001, R2 Change = .532), the YBT and the BESS were still significant predictors of the FMS. Risk of injury according to YBT risk and FMS risk were not associated, χ^2 (1,N=77)=1.20, p = .273, Cramer’s V = .125. There was a significant association between BESS risk and FMS risk, χ^2 (1,N=77)=9.27, p = .01, Cramer’s V = .347. In the second study, a subgroup from the first study (N = 16) with an anterior reach asymmetry completed 5 weeks of balance training on the leg with the better balance according to the YBT. After 5 weeks of balance training, there was not a significant interaction between group and time for the trained leg (G-G p = .594, n2p = .035) indicating the training was not effective at improving anterior reach of the trained leg. There was also not a significant interaction between group and time for the untrained leg (G-G p = .403, n2p = .028), showing no cross-over of balance ability to the untrained leg. Overall, static and dynamic balance both contribute to functional movement. This information can be used when developing training and rehabilitation protocols to reduce injury risk as measured by FMS. However, the training outlined in this study did not significantly improve anterior reach of the trained or untrained leg in individuals with an anterior reach asymmetry. As a result, more research in needed to identify a training protocol to improve anterior reach and, therefore, reduce injury risk in this population.
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    BENEFITS AND BARRIERS TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG SAUDI FEMALE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA AND THE UNITED STATES
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2016-08-25) Alsahli, Maali ; Belcher, Dr. Donald ; Colclough, Dr. Scott ; Health & Human Performance
    Regular physical activity is known to have vital benefits for individuals. Consequently, it is important to know if people understand the benefits of physical activity and barriers that prevent them from being physically active. Previous research indicates that Saudi female university students do not engage in regular physical activity. However, there is little research on this demographic. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to assess the perceived benefits of physical activity and determine the most common barriers to physical activity among Saudi female university students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United States. The Health Belief Model was utilized to guide this research. Data was collected from 211 female students from Hafr Al batin University (UHA) in KSA and Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in the USA using the Exercise Benefits / Barriers Scale (EBBS).
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    Body Mass Index and the Influence of Caloric Labeling
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2014-11-14) Commons, Kandace ; Winborn, Doug ; Bates, Denise ; Health & Human Performance
    The purpose of this study was to identify a relationship between BMI (body mass index) and using calorie labels on menu boards. This study is a quantitative study in which the researcher analyzed data from an annual, cross-sectional study known as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. A total of 475,865 random participants were included. Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were initially analyzed with cross tabulations and descriptive statistics. Hypothesis testing was completed by logistic regression with SPSS. This was used to determine a positive relationship between BMI and using calorie labels. Participants who are obese were more likely to use calorie labels to make a decision on food than non-obese participants. With new legislation being enacted, more extensive research is necessary to facilitate public health efforts.
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    CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINERS' KNOWLEDGE OF THE NATA POSITION STATEMENT OF PREVENTING SUDDEN DEATH IN SPORTS ASSOCIATED WITH SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2016-10-28) Hunt, Robin ; Gray, Joey ; Estes, Steven ; Health & Human Performance
    Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes has become an increased concern for sports medicine and health care professionals covering athletic events. Death due to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) has effected all levels of athletes from middle school to professional. Three out of one-thousand athletes have a cardiac condition that puts them at risk for SCD (Geier, 2016). Unfortunately, only 5% of patients survive after going into cardiac arrest (Geier, 2016). The need for certified athletic trainers (AT) and health care professionals being able to recognize signs and symptoms, and having emergency action plans (EAP) set in place, will only increase the athletes’ odds of survival. Certified athletic trainers must be aware of the position statement presented by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) in regards to preventing sudden cardiac death, specifically sudden cardiac death. This study has developed a test to determine an ATs knowledge of sudden cardiac death in athletes. It will benefit the athletes playing the game they love, as well as test the knowledge of the ATs.
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    Certified Athletic Trainers' Knowledge of the NATA Position Statement: Exertional Heat Illnesses
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2016-10-28) Jones, Kirstie ; Gray, Joey ; Estes, Steve ; Health & Human Performance
    Every year there are an abundant amount of exertional heat illnesses (EHIs) cases among athletes and those numbers are currently on the rise. The occurrence of EHIs has increased over time. From the years 1931-1959 there was only 5 players’ deaths reported in relation to EHIs compared to the 103 players reported to have died from 1960-2000 (Health Research Funding, 2015). The occurrence of EHIs are on the rise and we need medical professionals provided care that have the knowledge to recognize and treat these conditions. Certified athletic trainers (ATs) should be aware of the position statements provided for them concerning these illnesses. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) develops position statements to provide ATs with the most current research concerning illnesses like EHIs. This study was used to develop a psychometrically sound test to assess the knowledge of ATs on the NATA position statement: Exertional Heat Illnesses. It will be used to show ATs what knowledge they need to have compared to what they already know.
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    College Athletes’ Perceptions on the Effectiveness of Coaching Feedback for Leadership Development and Culture Building
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2019) Posey, Matthew ; Jubenville, Colby B. ; Rost, Jim K. ; Health & Human Performance
    One of the main functions of college athletics is to develop leadership skills within student athletes and foster a strong team culture that is conducive to growing those leadership skills. The leaders on collegiate athletic teams are the coaches who have been hired to produce successful student athletes, both on and off the field or court. At the very heart of college coaching is the art of communication, of which feedback is a natural byproduct. This study, which gathered 32 complete responses, looked to determine whether student athletes at the college level received effective feedback that led to leadership development and a strong team culture. As a result of the research, it is suggested that the frequency of meaningful coaching feedback has a direct relationship with leadership development in collegiate student athletes and culture building on college athletics teams.
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    COMPARISON OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BEHAVIORS BETWEEN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND TENNESSEE TWELFTH GRADERS
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2013-06-21) Baird, April Rose ; Belcher, Don ; Colclough, Scott ; Estes, Steve ; Health & Human Performance
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    COMPARISON OF PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOMECHANICAL VARIABLES OF THE AIRBORNE SHUFFLE COMPARED TO STANDARD WALKING
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2014-04-16) Brenes, Amanda Nicole ; Coons, John ; Caputo, Jennifer ; Health & Human Performance
    The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the airborne shuffle on oxygen cost, HR, RER, and stride length compared to standard walking at 3 speeds (2.5 mph, 3.0 mph, and 3.5 mph) while loaded with the standard combat load. United States Army Reserve Officer Training Course cadets (N = 20; mean age = 22 years) participated in the study. The laboratory tests examined oxygen cost, heart rate, respiratory exchange ratio, and stride length. There was a statistically significant increase in oxygen cost (p < .001), heart rate (p < .001), respiratory exchange ratio (p < .001), and stride length (p < .001) across all speeds. Overall, data examination reveals that the use of the airborne shuffle is not a more economical modality while carrying a combat load, when compared to standard walking.
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    DEVELOPMENT OF AN EVALUATIVE INSTRUMENT TO ASSESS KNOWLEDGE, COMPETENCY, AWARENESS AND PROFESSIONAL SENSITIVITY OF EXERCISE PROFESSIONALS WHO INTERACT WITH FEMALE CLIENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SEXUAL ABUSE
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2017-03-01) Claypool, Rebecca Elizabeth ; Morgan, Don ; Fuller, Dana ; Health & Human Performance
    An evaluative instrument (the Sexual Abuse Assessment Tool, or SAAT) was developed to assess the competency of exercise professionals to incorporate sensitive training practices when interacting with women who have experienced sexual abuse. Twelve content experts rated the relevance of each assessment item, after which items were dichotomized as being relevant or non-relevant. The readability of the SAAT was a grade level of 13.1. Of the 64 test items comprising the final version of the SAAT, the range of domain-content validity index values was narrow (0.86-0.87) and the scale content validity index, defined as the average of the item-content validity index values for all assessment items, was 0.87. Future research efforts should be aimed at documenting the reliability of the SAAT, broadening the assessment to include male survivors of abuse, exploring the possibility of creating a shorter version of this evaluative tool, and administering the SAAT to fitness leaders.
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    THE EFFECT OF WEIGHT PERCEPTION, SATISFACTION, AND BEHAVIOR ON ANABOLIC STEROID USE AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2013-07-04) Brooker, Rachael Kathryn ; Owusu, Andrew ; Weatherby, Norman ; Health & Human Performance
    Few studies have examined predictors of anabolic steroid (AS) use among young adults not engaged in professional sports; especially at the college level. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between gender, perceived AS use, perceived user weight, satisfaction with weight, healthy and unhealthy weight-control behaviors and self-reported AS use in college students.
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    Effects of an Athletic Trainer's Presence on an Athletic Director's Knowledge of the Tennessee Youth Concussion Law
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2014-04-10) Mathis, William Layne ; Binkley, Helen ; Weatherby, Norman ; Health & Human Performance
    ABSTRACT
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    EFFECTS OF ECCENTRIC ENDURANCE TRAINING ON PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE FALL RISK FACTORS
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2018) Johnson, Samantha ; Health & Human Performance
    A proactive approach to fall risk prevention may help minimize the likelihood of a fall for older adults not yet classified as being at high risk of falling. These studies focused on assessing how eccentric endurance training (EET) influenced physical and cognitive modifiable fall risk factors. Physical fall risk factor assessments included a 30-second sit-to-stand test (30CST), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), single leg stance with eyes closed (SLS-EC), Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), and Timed Up-and-Go (TUG). Maximal eccentric strength (MES) was also assessed. Cognitive fall risk factor assessments included one measure of dual-tasking, the cognitive Timed Up-and-Go (TUGcog), and two measures of executive function, the Trail Making Test (Parts A and B) and the Stroop Test (Conditions A, B, and C). The sample included 30 older adults (68.2 ± 3.7 years; 16 females, 14 males), with 15 participants completing the EET training (69.0 ± 4.4 years; 8 females, 7 males) and 15 participants in the control group (67.5 ± 2.6 yearsy; 8 females, 7 males). Training group participants completed 1 week of familiarization and 8 weeks of twice weekly EET training. Participants in the control group were asked to maintain their normal activities throughout the 9 week study duration. For both groups, pre-assessments were conducted on the second day of the familiarization week, mid-assessments were conducted on the first day of Week 5, and post-assessments were conducted within 1 week of completing Week 9. There were significant improvements in 30CST, BBS, FGA, and TUG performance. In contrast, no significant changes in SLS-EC or MES were observed. Although a significant change and a large effect size were observed for the BBS, the near maximal scores at pre-assessment made it improbable to elicit meaningful changes. While scores within 1 point of perfect were less frequent on the FGA, there remains to be information regarding minimum detectable changes for this outcome. As such, the 2.2 point increase in performance should be interpreted with caution. The 30CST and TUG also yielded significant improvements and large effect sizes. While minimum detectable changes have not been reported, the 2.6 repetition increase in 30CST and 0.9 second decrease in TUG performance are notable. In contrast, there were no significant differences in the cognitive function outcomes. The TUGcog was the only assessment that did not exhibit a potential learning effect, as there was no significant main effect for time. Although not significant, a 0.66 second improvement was observed for the EET group. In contrast, the Trail Making Test (Part B) and Stroop Tests (A, B, and C) exhibited a main effect for time with no significant interaction. This indicates all participants improved over time, which was likely the result of a learning effect. As such, there is a need for measures of executive function that are less influenced by time. In summation, 8 weeks of EET yielded improvements in physical function without cognitive performance changes. The largest and most meaningful changes were observed in muscular fitness and overall physical function. This mode of training is promising in that a small time commitment is required to see significant improvements in several physical outcome variables associated with one’s risk of falling, specifically for those who do not yet exhibit deficits in performance.
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    EFFECTS OF OUTDOOR ORIENTATION PROGRAMS ON LEARNING TRANSFER OF UNIVERSITY FRESHMEN
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2015-04-10) Osborn, Blake ; Dunlap, Rudy ; Gray, Joey ; Health & Human Performance
    Many universities struggle to maintain high student retention rates as many students drop out before graduating. Previous studies indicate that the most crucial period to retain students is between their freshman and sophomore year, and that students are more likely to leave an institution during this time frame (Wang, Cullen, Yao, & Li, 2013). As an effort to intervene low retention rates, universities have implemented student orientations to help with the transition from high school to college.
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    Evaluating high school athletic administrators' perceptions of sportsmanship
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2013-08-01) King, Kevin Michael ; Jubenville, Colby ; Estes, Steven ; Health & Human Performance
    With proper education, sport has the ability to build character, create teamwork, be a positive influence, and change lives. As high school athletic associations across the country expand in size and scope challenges related to sportsmanship have grown exponentially. A lack of educational funding for sportsmanship, shortage of training for officials and coaches and new sponsorship opportunities has high school sports in the United States at a crossroads. One critical question addressed is how sportsmanship is being perceived, developed, implemented and managed in high school athletic associations and the states they govern. Participants consisted of (n = 50) representing each state high school athletic association in the United States. Conclusion: at present, it is highly likely the current level of education, training, funding, and lack of unified sportsmanship policy is insufficient in creating opportunities for coaches and athletes to value and display sportsmanship at the high school level in the United States.