Exercise Science
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This collection includes scholarly output from both faculty and students in Exercise Science.
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- ItemExploring Training Strategies to Optimize Court Performance in Older Pickleball Athletes(Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, WK Health, 2023) Terrell, Sara Lynn; Ficquette, PrestonPickleball is one of the fastest growing racket sports in the United States because of its high social engagement and ability to facilitate physical and emotional well-being. Although participation trends indicate the sport appeals to an array of ages and abilities, the highest purported participant demographic is 55 years and older. In spite of its rising popularity, there is limited strength and conditioning research exploring training strategies for pickleball athletes. Therefore, this article details how pickleball is played, the sport's movement and physiological demands, and injury risks. An example training program targeting the older pickleball athlete is provided.
- ItemAdolescent weight and health behaviors and their associations with individual, social, and parental factors(Human Kinetics, 2018) Baker, Kayla M.; Healy, Sean; Rice, David J.; Garcia, Jeanette M.Background: To examine the associations and differences between gender and weight classification for physical activity (PA) and individual, social, and parental factors. Methods: Data from wave 2 of the "Growing up in Ireland" national study were used, resulting in a sample of 7525 13-year-old adolescents. Information on factors affecting adolescents' social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development was collected. Results: Overweight (OW) adolescents were more likely to exercise and restrict food for weight loss and less likely to perform moderate to vigorous PA than normal weight adolescents. Parent body mass index was associated with adolescent body mass index for OW and normal weight adolescents, with the strongest association seen with OW females. Parents of OW adolescents considered themselves to be more OW and less physically active than parents of normal weight adolescents. Furthermore, for all groups, a greater amount of moderate to vigorous PA was associated with less television viewing, greater PA of parents, and a greater number of friends. Conclusion: Parental health behaviors play a significant role in adolescents' bodyweight, representing the necessity for more constructive health behaviors and PA among parents. Future interventions may be strengthened by focusing specifically on gender and body mass index, while taking into consideration the importance of parental behaviors on adolescents. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR
- ItemPsychosocial and friend influences on objective sedentary behavior and screen time: A mixed methods analysis(Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc., 2017-03) Garcia, Jeanette M.; Agaronov, Alen; Sirard, John R.; Whaley, Diane; Rice, David J.*; Weltman, ArthurSedentary behavior (SB) increases throughout adolescence, and is associated with adverse health outcomes. Purpose: Examine psychosocial and friend influences on SB and screen time in adolescents using a mixed-methods design. Methods: 108 middle and high school students wore accelerometers to measure objective SB, completed screen time and psychosocial questionnaires, and nominated friends to complete activity questionnaires. Focus groups centered around influences on SB behavior. Regression analyses and NVivo software analyzed quantitative and qualitative data. Results: Screen time was associated with greater screen time enjoyment, lower self-efficacy, and friends' screen time (r² = .21, P < .0001). Friends influenced whether adolescents engaged in screen time behaviors, with active friends encouraging less screen time. Conclusion: Active friends influenced adolescents to engage in less SB. Interventions should place an emphasis on encouraging less screen time, and providing opportunities for adolescents and their friends to engage in activities that promote physical activity rather than SB. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR
- ItemImplementation Fidelity of a Mindfulness-Based Yoga Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Families: a Pilot Study(Springer International Publishing, 2019) Garcia, Jeanette M.; Baker, Kayla; Diaz, Morgan R.; Tucker, Jennifer E.; Kelchner, Viki P.; Rice, David J.*Families with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may benefit from mindfulness-based interventions; however, few studies have examined such programs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to demonstrate the implementation fidelity of a mindfulness-based yoga program for children with ASD and their families. Eight children and their families participated in separate, concurrent yoga sessions of identical curriculum. Implementation fidelity was assessed through observations and participant/instructor interviews. The study showed a high degree of implementation fidelity with standardized curriculum instruction, positive responsiveness from participants, and unique aspects of program differentiation. Results indicate that a mindfulness-based yoga program, providing separate sessions for both children and their families, may be especially beneficial to the entire family and enhance family relationships.
- ItemAssociation of physiological and psychological health outcomes with physical activity and sedentary behavior in adults with type 2 diabetes(British Medical Association, 2017-03) Garcia, Jeanette M; Cox, Daniel; Rice, David J.Abstract Purpose To examine the association between change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior (SB) over a 6-month period with physiological and psychological factors in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods Participants included 26 middle-aged (mean age=56.1±10.8 years; 42% women), overweight/obese (mean body mass index (BMI) =37.22±8.78 kg/m2) adults who had been diagnosed with T2D within the past 5 years (mean HbA1c=7.81%). Participants underwent a physical examination, blood tests, and psychological questionnaires, including a self-report questionnaire that assessed the consumption of high glycemic and low glycemic load foods. Participants wore an Actigraph accelerometer for 7 days to assess MVPA and SB. All measures were collected at baseline and at the 6-month follow-up. Spearman rank correlations and regression models were conducted to examine the relationship between activity variables, and the association of activity measures with health outcomes at the 6-month follow-up. Results Decreases in duration of SB bouts and increases in MVPA were associated with decreased levels of HbA1c (p<0.05). Over 50% of the variance in HbA1c levels could be attributed to changes in MVPA and SB. Conclusions MVPA and SB were independently associated with diabetes-related health outcomes. Results suggest that emphasis should be placed on increasing MVPA while decreasing SB, particularly duration of SB bouts. This suggests that even small changes in daily behavior may contribute to improvement in diabetes-related health outcomes.