Research and Critical Thinking : An Important Link for Exercise Science Students Transitioning to Physical Therapy

Int J Exerc Sci 5(2) : 93-96, 2012. Critical thinking skills are increasingly necessary for success in professional health care careers. Changes in the contemporary healthcare system in the United States arguably make these critical thinking skills more important than they have ever been, as clinicians are required on a daily basis to evaluate multiple bits of information about patients with multiple-systemic health concerns and make appropriate treatment decisions based on this information. We believe the IJES, with its emphasis on engaging undergraduate and graduate students in research and scholarly activity, is a valuable resource for promoting the higher-order critical thinking skills necessary for preparing exercise science students with an interest in professional healthcare careers such as physical therapy

Introducing the “Topics Brief”: Bridging the Gap Between University and Non-Academics in a Potentially More Meaningful Way

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 5, 2023. Introducing the “Topics Brief”, aiming to bridge the gap between university and non-academics. Topics Briefs should include the following: 1. Share what was done to a non-academic audience, 2. Condensed format (limited to 1-2 pages, 1 page preferred), 3. Include only the most important parts (i.e., main concepts, main results, main learned experience) to be implemented in practical application, 4. May be heavily visual (we encourage authors to be creative

Guidelines for “Topics Brief” Submissions

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 6, 2023. The “Topics Brief”, a novel submissions format, is introduced with authors guidelines. Within this submissions format, a category describing a target audience should be identified, such as Topics Brief for: Patients, Clinicians, Practitioners, or Students. Authors may also suggest their own category for a target audience. The title should be descriptive and allow for maximum searchability. Authorship criteria include a substantial contribution, assisting with the manuscript draft, and approval of the final version. The format is open, with a focus of presenting work in a clear and understandable manner that members of a target audience may choose to implement in some manner. The following items should be considered: 1) use of appropriate reading level, 2) visual representation is encouraged, 3) condensed format, ideally no longer than 1-2 pages, and 4) the most important information is shared. Authors publishing a Topics Brief will agree to review a future Topics Brief submission

THE EFFECTS OF STATIC STRETCHING ON MEASURES OF GROSS MOTOR COORDINATION DURING VIGOROUS CYCLING

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of static stretching on gross motor coordination patterns (GMCP) exhibited during vigorous cycling. The performance of 29 females between the ages of eighteen and thirty were analyzed during the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT). The participants completed the test under two conditions, following static stretching and no stretching. Results showed statistically significant differences (p = 0.05) between conditions for dependent variables assessed throughout this common 30 second test of maximal cycling. These findings suggest that static stretching subtly influenced GMCP exhibited during the WAnT

STATIC STRETCHING DOES NOT AFFECT MEASURES OF POWER AND FATIGUE DURING VIGOROUS CYCLING AMONG WOMEN

Static stretching has been linked to lesser performance in many sport activities. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of static stretching upon power and fatigue performance measures during vigorous cycling. In this study, vigorous cycling was assessed using the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT). Using a counterbalanced design, twenty nine female participants completed standardized static stretching and nonstretching protocols prior to completing the WAnT. No statistically-significant differences (p = 0.05) were found between conditions for measures of peak power (PP), low power (LP) or fatigue index (FI). These findings suggest that static stretching had no statistically-significant effect on these performance measures commonly assessed during the WAnT

Important Updates to Submission Types in Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 2: Issue 1, Article 1, 2021. While Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology (TESK) was originally designed to fill a void in publishing applied information for practitioners in physical activity and sport, the TESK editors have determined a need to update the submission categories. The categories of Process of Science and Implementation Strategies have been retained, and three new types of submissions now will be accepted: Expedited Articles, Review Articles, and Case Studies. Process of Science submissions should seek to answer the question, “What was learned from the experience of performing the investigation?”, while Implementation Strategies should address, “How can what was carried out be explained?” Required elements for both submission types are outlined along with guidelines for conducting peer-reviews. Expedited Articles can be submitted to TESK and undergo an accelerated review by the editors. Required elements and the peer review processes are also outlined for Review Articles and Case Studies

Guidelines for Reviewers: Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

The purpose of this document is to serve as a guide for evaluators who agree to review work submitted to Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology. To assist evaluators, a Reviewer Rubric has been created with the following sections: Title Page and Abstract, Introduction and Methods Page, Point of Application Page(s), Other Considerations, and Reviewer Decisions. Point of application: Reviewing the Title and Abstract page – rubric shared for title, author list, affiliations, the abstract, and key words. Point of application: Reviewing the Introduction and Methods page – evaluation of introductory paragraph, paragraph for methodology and/or results. Point of application: Reviewing the Point of Application pages – rubric for Each Point of Application, which should consist of a title, written text, and a figure or table. Point of application: Reviewing the Figures and Tables, and Making a Decision – rubric for the evaluation of figures or tables, others comments, and decisions that can be made

THE EFFECTS OF AN ERGONOMIC DEVICE ON SAGITTAL PLANE LOWER EXTREMITY MOTION DURING A FULL SQUAT IN ACL-REPAIRED AND NON-INJURED FEMALES

Each year, 250,000 Americans experience injuries affecting the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), with women four to six times more likely to incur an ACL injury than their male counterparts. Knee Savers® (KS) are an ergonomic aid purported to lessen the risk of such injuries linked to deep squats. While widely used, KS have not been tested to determine their effect upon lower extremity kinematics. Female participants (n=20) with a history of ACLrepair (n=10) or non-injury (n=10) completed a deep squat with and without KS, while being filmed with 2D videography using methods increasingly available in clinical environments. Results from the study indicate no significant differences were found in sagittal plane lower extremity kinematics when squatting with and without KS. KS did not appear to influence lower extremity joint positions during the bottom phase of a deep squat as purported

Mood and Performance Anxiety in High School Basketball Players: A Pilot Study

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(4): 604-618, 2017. Participation in competitive sport may impact psychological measures, such as mood and performance anxiety, which in turn may impact enjoyment, adherence, continued participation, and so on. This study assessed the feasibility – in terms of process, resources, management, and potential scientific value– of measuring the effect of varying competitive challenges upon the mood and performance anxiety measures of high school athletes. The participants (n=12) consisted of the boys’ varsity basketball team at a high school in a rural Midwestern community. Participants completed the Profile of Mood States (POMS) to assess mood and the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2) to assess performance anxiety, respectively. Survey administration occurred at baseline and prior to games designated as non-conference, conference, and state tournament. A-priori feasibility measures were achieved in this prospective design. Significant correlations on the subscale measures were found on the POMS and SAS-2 administered before the four conditions in this study; Chronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.54- 0.94 across conditions for POMS subscales, and Chronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.73-0.97 across all conditions for SAS-2 subscales, respectively. Significant differences were found across conditions in the POMS subscale confusion [F(3,33) = 5.71, p = 0.01] and in the SAS-2 subscale worry [F(3,33) = 6.13, p=0.01]. These preliminary findings suggest that the competitive conditions in this study significantly affected some measures of mood and performance anxiety in high school basketball players. These findings warrant further investigation, as well as suggest coaches could gather such information from their players, ultimately aiding in player development and team performance

BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION DOES NOT AFFECT ACUTE MEASURES OF POWER AND FATIGUE DURING MAXIMAL CYCLING AMONG WOMEN

While it is known that blood flow restriction (BFR) can positively affect training and rehabilitation progression timelines, the physiological basis of this intervention is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to determine the short-term impact of BFR upon power and fatigue performance measures during maximal cycling. In this study, maximal cycling was assessed using the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT). Using a counterbalanced design, fourteen female participants completed standardized BFR and non-BFR protocols while completing the WAnT. No statistically-significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were found between conditions for measures of peak power (PP), low power (LP) or fatigue index (FI). These findings suggest that BFR had no statistically-significant acute effect on these performance measures commonly assessed during the WAnT