An Electromyographic and Video Motion Analysis Study of Sprinters at Varying Speeds and Inclines

Athletes desire to succeed in their respective sport. Several training programs claim to enhance athletic performance by loading specific muscles and joints needed for increased speed, power, and strength in a sport specific manner. One such training regimen is the Frappier Acceleration® program, in which the core element involves sprinting on a treadmill at varying speeds and inclines. The purpose of this study is to describe muscle activity and joint motion while running on a treadmill at different speeds and inclines. Eleven males between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two years of age ran on a treadmill at five different conditions at varying speeds and inclines. One of these trials consisted of the subject walking at 2.4 mph and a 0 percent grade in order to obtain a baseline for comparison of the other four trials. Surface electrodes and joint markers were used to analyze electromyographic activity of eight muscles and calculate joint angles while running. A descriptive analysis was then performed comparing the five trials. From our results we conclude that the sprinter does adopt different strategies and muscle recruitment patterns to compensate for increases in slope. There is an increase in EMG activity in the Vastus Lateralis, Rectus Femoris, Gluteus Maximus, and Tibialis Anterior when running at 8 mph and 25 percent grade when compared to the level condition, and an increase in the EMG activity of all recorded muscles when running at 13 mph and 25 percent grade vs. level running. Examination of range of motion revealed that there was greater overall motion of the hip on the incline trials while displacements of the knee and ankle were relatively similar

Study abroad blog: A comprehensive exploration into country and culture

This writing serves as the reflective/contextual essay component of my creative thesis project. My creative project includes a detailed study abroad blog with photos, videos, and translated interviews I conducted with Salamanca locals regarding certain aspects of Spanish culture. This essay details the workings, text, and video content of my study abroad blog, and is intended to inform on a deeper basis with supporting research, the topics covered in the interviews

Case Studies of the Hot Dog-Fold and Acyl-Adenylate-Forming Superfamilies: Characterizing the Importance of Functional Divergence in Cellular Metabolism

Some of the biggest contributors to cellular respiration (and cellular metabolism in general) are acyl-CoA derivatives, a subclass of biological thioesters. Known to function in a variety of pathways, the regulation of their formation and breakdown are critical, carried about by acyl-CoA synthetases and thioesterases, respectively. The work reported within this dissertation will focus on functional divergence within two enzyme superfamilies -- the hot dog-fold and acyl-adenylate-forming superfamilies — and can be broken down into two main parts. Part one will look at tracking the functional divergence within the hot dog-fold superfamily thioesterases. A highly evolved thioesterase, flK, has been found to function in the critical, and highly specific role of fluoroacetate detoxification within the fluorometabolite-producing bacteria, S. cattleya. Using an extensive bioinformatics analysis, flK orthologs were identified and tracked throughout all three domains of life, primarily in bacteria that make up the gut microbiome. Additionally, sequence and structural analyses revealed distinct flK scaffolds, a further indication of divergent functionality. Various flK orthologs were then isolated, cloned and subjected to substrate screening by measuring their individual steady-state kinetic parameters kcat, Km and kcat/Km. Combined with gene context analyses, divergent in vivo functionality was assigned to members of the flK subfamily, as they were proposed to be involved in supplying formate for the one-carbon pool. Part two will focus on the functional characterization of the acyl-CoA synthetases (ligases) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the dominant pathogen present in all patients with cystic fibrosis and the leading cause of morbidity and mortality within this afflicted population. Nine freestanding ligases were cloned, isolated and subjected to an extensive substrate screening for acyl-CoA synthetase activity using a novel high-throughput assay. Individual activities were verified by measuring the steady-state kinetic parameters. Combing these results with extensive gene context analyses, in vivo functions were proposed for the tested ligases, implicating them in a variety of nutrient scavenging pathways as well as in virulence factor production

Geoneutrino production of the northern Black Hills, South Dakota, United States of America

Current neutrino observatories operate underground to isolate the detector from cosmic rays and background radiation. However, background radiation from local sources has yet to be accounted for. Current models for neutrino contributions from terrestrial rocks are formulated from bulk compositional estimates of the whole Earth. To better understand local background radiation from geologic sources surfaces rocks were collected throughout the area surrounding the Homestake Mine, South Dakota, home of the Sanford Underground Research Laboratory. The surface rocks were analyzed for radioactivity and neutrino luminosity, producing heat maps indicating the levels of neutrino production throughout the area. The area around the Homestake Mine was found to be more luminous then upper crustal averages generated from current bulk silicate Earth models

Correlation of Trust and Outcomes Following Physical Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain

Background: Trust is a key component for developing therapeutic alliance. Improvements in trust have been found to improve outcomes forpatients receiving psychiatric and medical physician care. Current trust measurement scales have not been utilized in a physical therapy setting and no studies have explored the relation of trust in provider to physical therapy outcomes. Purpose: The primary goal was to explore the correlation of patient trust measured at various points within the therapeutic encounter to the change in outcome measurements after receiving physical therapy care. Research Design and Methods: Non-experimental correlational quantitative analysis of patient trust in their physical therapist as they received care for chronic and persistent low back pain. Participants (n = 30) completed three different trust measurement scales along with a general provider trust scale and therapeutic alliance measurement prior to initial visit, after initial visit, and at discharge. These scales were correlated to outcome measurements through the course of the encounter related to pain, function, and global improvement. Physical therapist measurement of patient connection and engagement was collected from physical therapist during episode of care. Data Analysis: The Spearman rho correlation was utilized to provide correlational statistics for various trust measurement scales with therapeutic alliance scale, patient connection and engagement, and outcome measurement instruments. Linear regression was applied to individual trust measurement scales and outcome variables for predictive modeling of trust and outcomes. Results: Trust scores at discharge correlated the most with Global Rate of Change score and change in function at discharge (rs = 0.47–0.72). Change in trust score from post-initial visit to discharge provided the most correlation with pain scores at discharge and change of pain score (rs = 0.49–0.80). Trustmeasurement scores correlated strongly with therapeutic alliance scale (rs = 0.74–0.86) during the two measurement points. Discussion: Higher levels of end trust scores showed strong correlation to improved function and global rate of change at discharge. The change in trust scores over treatment showed moderate to strong correlation with increasing trust to lower pain at discharge and greater improvements in change of pain

Effects of Pain Neuroscience Education on Physician Assistant Students Understanding of Pain and Attitudes and Beliefs About Pain.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of two different pain neuroscience education (PNE) lectures provided to physician assistant (PA) students. Primary outcomes explored were knowledge of pain and shift in attitudes and beliefs about chronic pain after the lecture. METHODS: A PNE lecture was provided at two separate university PA programs. One program received a two-hour PNE lecture with a case-based example. The other program received a one-hour PNE lecture without the casebased example. Measurement of change for pre and post-test pain knowledge and attitudes and beliefs about chronic pain were recorded. RESULTS: Students at both universities showed medium effect size improvements in pain knowledge following the lecture. Only students that received the longer two-hour lecture in the case-based example showed significant improvements with their attitudes and beliefs about patients with chronic pain. CONCLUSION: PA students can increase their knowledge about current pain science through lecture alone, however, case-based learning along with lecture, may be more effective in improving the attitudes and beliefs of PA students regarding patients with chronic pain

Using Embedded Encounters to Promote Cultural Humility in Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Education

In the socio-cultural theoretical perspectives, learning is approached as a constructed outcome of interpersonal and intercontextual exchanges. Learners both influence and are influenced by the social and cultural milieu within which they are situated. Embedded learning draws from this perspective to prompt learning through lived experiences. Fostering cultural humility and an appreciation for cultural congruence is an important goal in occupational and physical therapy education. Embedded experiences provide rich opportunities for students to reflect on their own experiences and the experiences of others in order to understand and value differences. In this article, we report the findings of curricular shifts in which intentionally designed and facilitated cultural encounters were incorporated into several curricular courses. Outcomes indicated an improved awareness of diversity and equity as well as an appreciation for individual circumstances that impact on health outcomes