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ABSTRACTS
College of Health Sciences and Professions
Student Research and Creative Activity Showcase
May 2012
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Undergraduate Abstracts (pages 3-9)
Graduate Abstracts (pages 9-22)
Participation in research and creative activities outside of the classroom are enriching and rewarding experiences for both undergraduate and graduate students alike. The lessons learned are invaluable and often immeasurable.What’s more, these experiences would not be afforded to students without significant investment of time, mentorshipand teamwork between the student and faculty who thrive on the experiences and outcomes.
Michael Kushnick
Michael Kushnick, Ph.D.
College of Health Sciences and Professions Leadership Fellow
2012 Student Research and Creative Activity ShowcaseFacilitator
This document can be located at:
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Undergraduate
KIRA BROWN, ANDREA BURKLEY
Advisor: Dr. David Holben
Applied Health Sciences and Wellness
Food and Nutrition Sciences
Glycemic Control, Food Access, and Produce Intake/Behaviors of Individuals with Diabetes in Rural Appalachian Ohio
BACKGROUND: Food insecurity is associated with poor diabetes (DM) management and poor produce intake.RESEARCH OUTCOME: This study examined differences in glycemic control (GC) (poor control=HgbA1c ≥ 8.5%) and produce intake/behaviors among adults with DM between: 1) those receiving care from free or fee-for-service (fee) clinics in rural Appalachian Ohio; and, 2) those classified as food secure (FS) or food insecure (FI). Produce intake/behaviors were also compared between those with poor versus good GC. METHODS: Validated USDA measures of food security and produce intake/behaviors and medical record data were used. Differences were determined between groups for GC (Mann-Whitney U) and produce intake/behaviors (t-test). RESULTS: Participants (n=166) (free, n=41; fee, n=125) were 53±16 years and primarily Caucasian (n=150/163, 92.0%). Most had type II DM (n=102/155, 65.8%). GC was better for those attending fee clinics (p=0.042), compared to free clinics, as well as for FS participants (p=0.027), compared to FI participants. Produce intake/behaviors did not differ between free and fee groups (p0.05); however, produce (p=0.003) and vegetable (p=0.002) intakes, self-efficacy (p=0.005), perceived diet quality (p0.001), and change in intention (p=0.015) were greater in FS participants, compared to FI participants. No other differences by food security were noted (p0.05). CONCLUSIONS: FS appears to be associated with better dietary quality and better DM management. Receiving free DM care, which may be due to having a low income and/or no health insurance, does not appear adequate to ensure good GC among participants. Further exploration of this is warranted in other regions and patient groups.
OLUREMI FAMODU, LAUREN HEISSLER
Advisors: Ms. Deborah Murray, Dr. Darlene Berryman
Applied Health Sciences and Wellness
Food and Nutrition Sciences
Sports Nutrition Survey to Assess the Need and Interest on an Educational Program
BACKGROUND: There is a need for sports nutrition education programs in order to provide athletes with educators who can relay accurate and current information regarding nutrition. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine preference and interest in sports nutrition educational programming among Ohio University alumni with majors of Nutrition, Athletic Training, Coaching and Exercise Physiology. METHODS: A quantitative approach was used to assess interest in the sports nutrition educational programming. Survey monkey was used to gather information from the target alumni of coaches, athletic trainers, exercise physiologists, and dietitians. 1500 emails were gathered by the Director of Development at Ohio University. RESULTS: Participants (n=87). Sixty eight percent majored in exercise physiology, 56% had a master's degree and 32% had a bachelor’s degree. Fifty percent were athletic trainers, and the rest ranged from stay at home moms, scientists, to teachers. Ninety two percent of our audience stated that sports nutrition was either important or very important. Seventy four percent of our population stated they were moderately knowledgeable or knowledgeable in the area of sports nutrition. Twenty five percent preferred a one day program followed by a quarter/semester program (23%). Twenty five percent stated preferring a series of courses followed by 24% of those who wanted a day workshop. Forty seven percent of respondents preferred a traditional course/lecture. The top six ranked topics requested by respondents were: pre and post competition nutrition, fluid and electrolyte balance, nutrition in sport injury and recovery, eating on the road, weight management for athletes (gaining and losing), and energy metabolism and requirements. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents with a bachelor’s degree or higher in many different fields indicated that sports nutrition is important and may benefit from a sports nutrition certificate. Course delivery preference was a traditional course or lecture that could be comprised of a series of courses over a given semester or a day workshop. Topics of greatest interest to be included in the sport nutrition program were reported to be best known and understood by respondent. Respondents indicated a preferred cost for the certificate to be $50-$100.
ARIANA FIORITA
Advisor: Dr. David Holben
Applied Health Sciences and Wellness
Food and Nutrition Sciences
Impact of a Pilot Winter Season CSA Fresh Produce Delivery Intervention Program on the Food Security and Produce Intake/Behaviors of Mothers Living in Rural Appalachian Ohio
BACKGROUND: Food insecurity is associated with poor produce intake. Seasonal availability may also be a barrier to intake.RESEARCH OUTCOME: This study examined differences in food security (FS) and produce intake/behaviors (perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and perceived control) of low income women with at least one child18 years living in rural Appalachian Ohio before and after the implementation of a Pilot Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Fresh Produce Delivery Program (4-month program during winter season).METHODS: Validated measures of FS (USDA) and produce intake/behaviors were used during pre- and post-interviews. Differences were determined between groups for FS and produce intake/behaviors (t-tests).RESULTS: Participants (n=15) were 38±11 years and primarily Caucasian (n=11/15, 93.3%). Six (40%), 6 (40%), and 3 (20%) were single/never married, married, or divorced, respectively, and lived in households with 4.6±2.1 members. Participants were high school/GED graduates (n=7, 46.7%) or had some college or higher education (n=8, 53.3%). FS (p=0.336) and produce behaviors (p0.05) did not change from pre- to post-intervention; however, total produce intake improved (p=0.040) from pre- (1.5±0.4) to post-intervention (1.7±0.5). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that a winter season CSA produce delivery program can be successfully implemented for rural, low-income women. The pilot intervention did not improve FS status; however, it did improve produce consumption, albeit small. Further exploration is warranted in a larger sample with a control group to further examine the efficacy of such an intervention.
LAUREN HEISSLER, OLUREMI FAMODU
Advisors: Dr. Darlene Berryman, Ms. Deborah Murray
Applied Health Sciences and Wellness
Food and Nutrition Sciences
Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire for Athletic Training Undergraduate and Graduate Students
BACKGROUND: Ohio University offers limited nutrition education in the curriculum for Athletic Training (AT) majors. PURPOSE: This study examined the nutrition knowledge of Athletic Training undergraduate and graduate students at Ohio University. The information will determine the nutrition knowledge deficits and nutrition practices of AT students. This research will assist in creating a nutrition education program for AT majors. METHODS: A validated nutrition knowledge questionnaire was administered to sophomore, junior, and senior undergraduate AT majors, and to first and second year AT graduate majors. All participants were 18 years or older. The data was analyzed with PASW Statistical Software (Version 18, 2009) using descriptive statistics, frequency testing, ANOVA, and Spearman correlation with a p= 0.05. RESULTS: Participants (n=66) (Sophomore = 17; Junior = 18; Senior = 14; 1st year Grad = 7; 2nd year Grad = 10). ANOVA between each academic group and total nutrition knowledge score concluded (p=0.179); ANOVA between undergrad and graduate students concluded (p=0.033). Correlation between academic standing and total nutrition knowledge score concluded (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between nutrition knowledge and each academic year, but there was a significant difference in nutrition knowledge between undergraduate and graduate AT students. There was a positive relationship between academic standing and total nutrition knowledge score. More research is needed to test the specific nutrition knowledge deficits among AT students.
RYAN HILL
Advisor: Dr. David Holben
Applied Health Sciences and Wellness
Food and Nutrition Sciences
Food Insecurity is Associated With Poor Social Capital, Perceived Health, and Perceived Diet Among Food Bank Users In and Around Lower Mainland of British Columbia
METHODS: Adult clients from 4 food banks in British Columbia (Surrey, Richmond, TriCities, Nanaimo) were surveyed for differences between food security situation among adults (FSSAA), social capital (SC), perceived health (HLTH), and perceived diet (DIET). Of 1,064 invited, 528 (49.6% response rate) completed the study. RESULTS: For FSSAA, only 5.5% were food secure; 26.3% and 68.2% were food insecure (moderate) and food insecure (severe), respectively; 42.2% had high SC, while 57.8% had low; 34.9% considered their HLTH to be poor/fair, while 65.1% considered it to be good/very good/excellent; 50.3% considered their DIET to be poor/fair, while 49.7% considered it to be good/very good/excellent. FSSAA [Kruskal-Wallis (K-W), p=0.046], SC (K-W, p=.003), and DIET (K-W p=0.030) significantly differed by food bank, while HLTH did not (K-W, p =0.341). Considering all participants, FSSAA was significantly related to SC (Kendall’s tau-b = -0.141, p.001), HLTH (tau-b = -0.0196, p <.001), and DIET (tau-b = -0.290, p0.001). CONCLUSION: This study confirms that food bank users are food insecure and have poor SC, HLTH, and DIET. It also underscores the negative relationship of food insecurity to those constructs.
MATT KILL, SARAH CHRISTMAN, MICHAEL KNUTSON
Advisor: Dr. Michael KushnickApplied Health Sciences and Wellness
Exercise Physiology
Acute Hyperglycemia, the Second Meal Effect, and Oxidative Stress
BACKGROUND: Simple sugars are rapidly digesting and contribute to exaggerated postprandial glycemic and insulinemic responses concomitant with an increase in oxidative stress–cellular damage induced by free radicals. Limited research suggests slowly digestible starches (SDS) can diminish glycemic and insulinemic responses and influence the metabolic response in subsequent meals (“Second Meal Effect”). However, it is unclear whether the oxidative stress response to subsequent meals is affected. PURPOSE: To evaluate the oxidative stress response to a second meal after consumption of SDS compared to a rapidly digesting carbohydrate–dextrose monohydrate (CON). METHODS: Eight normoglycemic men of similar age (22 ± 1 year), weight (77.78 ± 6.45 kg), body composition (15.38 ± 3.00 % body fat), and aerobic fitness (53.32 ± 1.65 mL/kg/min) were recruited. Participants reported to the lab after a 12-hour fast, having refrained from exercise, physical activity, and alcohol for 60 hours prior to blood sampling. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and every 30 minutes for 4 hours following the ingestion of a first meal of (CON) or a novel, extended release SDS. After 4 hours participants were administered a second standardized meal and blood samples were obtained every 30 minutes for 2 hours following consumption. Plasma glucose concentration was determined immediately. Blood samples were stored at -80oC until batch analysis of plasma insulin, plasma 8-isoprostane, nitrotyrosine, hydrogen peroxide and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were performed. Concentrations were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and t-tests of area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: In response to the first meal, the 4-hour AUC for plasma glucose, plasma insulin, hydrogen peroxide, and nitrotyrosine were significantly greater in the control (CON) compared to the slowly digestible starch (SDS) trial, while between-trial AUC for 8-isprostanes and TAC were not statistically different. The 2-hour AUC for the second meal for plasma glucose and plasma insulin were significantly greater in the CON trial compared to the SDS trial. There were no significant between-trial differences in the 2-hour AUC of the second meal for 8-isoprostanes, hydrogen peroxide, nitrotyrosine, and TAC. CONCLUSION: In this group of men, consumption of simple sugars may induce a greater metabolic and oxidative stress response than SDS. Moreover, glycemic and insulinemic responses to a standardized second meal are attenuated by the ingestion of a first meal consisting of SDS as compared to CON but the oxidative stress response appears unaffected by first meal composition.
RYAN LUBBE, NICHOLAS KRUSE
Advisor: Dr. Michael Kushnick
Applied Health Sciences and Wellness
Exercise Physiology
Substrate Utilization Postexercise After Consumption of a Novel Slowly Digesting Starch Meal
BACKGROUND: A bout of exercise can increase lipolysis and fat oxidation. Conversely, ingesting carbohydrate (CHO) increases insulin concentration and blunts lipolysis. As compared to food with higher glycemic indices (GI), low GI food may be valuable in reducing glycemic and insulinemic responses and, therefore, may be valuable as a postexercise meal in order to maintain elevated fat oxidation during recovery. PURPOSE: To evaluate metabolic cost (VO2) and substrate utilization (RER) after consumption of a low GI CHO, high GI CHO, and control (500mL H2O) during the recovery from a previous bout of exercise. METHODS: A repeated-measures ANOVA model was used with LSD post hoc analyses where applicable. Means ± standard deviations are presented. Ten healthy, nonsmoking, college-aged men (21 ± 2yrs) with average body composition (14.00 ± 1.82 % fat) and above average aerobic fitness (53.20 ± 2.87 mL/kg/min) were recruited. Participants completed three trials each in random order. Each trial began with a treadmill walk at 60% of their predetermined VO2max until 300kcal were expended, followed by consumption of 300kcal of a low GI CHO, high GI CHO, or a control. Then measurements of ventilatory gases were made during a two hour recovery period. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in VO2 among trials. However, RER was significantly different among trials and across time–presented in the table below. CONCLUSION: In this sample of men, consuming a low GI CHO after a bout of exercise helped to maintain fat oxidation during the first hour of a 2-hour recovery.
JENNIFER MCGILL
Advisor: Dr. Jason White
Applied Health Sciences and Wellness
Exercise Physiology
Comparison of a Full Field Skills Assessment Versus a Player's Physiological Profile for Predictability of On-Field Performance of Division 1 Field Hockey Players
BACKGROUND: Field hockey is a sport that has limited research in ways to predict season performance of athletes. A full field skills assessment has been created for many sports that showcase sport specific skills to simulate game performance. There has never been a full field skills test created as a predictor of performance for field hockey. Many sports programs, field hockey included, also use various sport related physiological and anthropological assessments to create a “physiological profile” of an athlete, to try to predict performance. Various physiological profile markers include body composition, muscular strength tests, speed tests, maximal oxygen consumption, and various aerobic tests such as a timed mile. PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this study is to investigate if a full field skills assessment or the physiological profile of an athlete is a better predictor of season performance of collegiate field hockey players. A secondary purpose of this study is to determine if various aspects of the physiological profile or the results of the full field skills assessment are better predictors of certain indicators of performance.METHODS: Twelve division I female field hockey players (18-21 yr) were included in an investigation of prediction of season performance. The subjects completed a full field skills assessment that tested their ability to perform basic skills of field hockey at a maximal effort as part of preparation for the 2011 field hockey season. Data from various physiological profile assessments of each field hockey athlete were collected as well. The physiological profile tests included maximal lifts, aerobic fitness tests, as well as tests to find body fat percentage. All tests were performed prior to the 2011 season. Performance factors for each athlete were collected proceeding the 2011 season. Performance indicators included games started, minutes played, goals, assists, and total points over 18 season games. Comparisons of performance indicators with various preseason testing results were performed using bivariate correlation, partial correlation, and regression using SPSS 18.0. RESULTS: Bivariate correlations comparing field test results to various performance indicators show that the field test had a -.585 correlation with games started meaning that performance on the field test had a 34% association with games started. Negative correlations show in this case that as field test times got faster, players started more games. A -.425 correlation with goals was reported, meaning that results from the field test had an 18% association with goals scored. A -.457 correlation was reported as the correlation of field test results to total season points, showing a 21% association between the two variables. Partial correlations were performed to investigate the amount of variation field test results explain in various performance indicators after controlling for various physiological profile results. The most significant performance indicator the field test results explained was games started, with the highest correlation being -.606 (partial correlation of field test results and games started after controlling for VO2 results). There were some notable correlations among various physiological profile results and certain performance indicators. Back squat results had high correlation with goals scored. Bivariate correlations between goals scored and back squat results reported a .672 correlation. Partial correlations for goals scored and back squat while controlling for each physiological profile individually all had relatively high correlations with the lowest reported as .509 (controlling for vertical jump) and the highest reported as .669 (controlling for body fat %). Goals scored and vertical jump height had a .517 correlation as well. Partial correlation of back squat and vertical jump as predictors of goals scored while controlling for body fat % showed back squat having a .669 correlation and vertical jump having a .615 correlation with goals scored. Both of these predictors had high correlations even after adding in a third predictor. Regression comparing muscular strength and aerobic fitness results to goals scored and games started show that goals scored was best predicted by muscular strength tests. A model combining all muscular strength and power tests had a .724 correlation with goals scored and aerobic fitness tests showed a .636 correlation with goals scored. Aerobic fitness factors explained the most amount of variation in games started (.812 correlation), while muscular strength predictors had a .435 correlation with games started.CONCLUSION: Field test times had the highest amount of association with games started. Back squat results as well as vertical jump had the highest amount of association with goals scored. Muscular strength and explosiveness appears to be the best predictor of goals scored, while aerobic fitness seems to be the best predictor of games started in this sample.