Browsing by Author "Williams, Jay"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Does Women on Weights Produce Changes in Self-Confidence and Mood Disturbance?
    Worrell, Zachery (Virginia Tech, 2024-05-03)
    Depression and mood disturbances among college women are prevalent concerns, prompting the investigation of interventions to improve mental well-being. This study explores the efficacy of a structured resistance training program tailored for women in enhancing self-efficacy and reducing mood disturbances over a 4-week period. Participants were recruited voluntarily and underwent a 4-week Women on Weights program, consisting of twice-weekly sessions. Pre- and post-surveys, including Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), Self-Efficacy for Exercise (SEE), and Abbreviated Profile of Mood States (POMS), were administered to assess changes in mental health outcomes. Statistical analyses were conducted using paired t-tests and unpaired t-tests. Results indicate a significant reduction in depression symptoms across all participants, as measured by the BDI. While the SEE Scale did not show significant changes, the POMS survey revealed significant improvements in the Esteem-Related Affect subscale, suggesting an enhancement in self-efficacy post-intervention. Additionally, a trending significance was observed in the POMS Depression subscale, indicating a potential impact on depression symptoms with a larger sample size. These findings highlight the potential of resistance training interventions to improve mental well-being among college women.
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    Effects of organophosphate esters on blood vessels: a physiological, pharmacological, and histological assessment of involvement in organophosphorus-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN)
    McCain, Wilfred C. (Virginia Tech, 1994)
    The contribution of the cardiovascular system. to organophosphate-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN) was examined using in situ and in vitro models for demonstration of response to vasoactive agents (e.g., the cholinergic agonist, acetylcholine; the α1 agonist, phenylephrine; and the β2 agonist, salbutamol). These responses were compared before and 1, 3, 7, and 21 days after hens were administered cyclic phenyl saligenin phosphate (PSP, 2.5 mg/kg i.m.), an OP that induces OPIDN but does not significantly inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity, and paraoxon (PXN, 0.1 mg/kg i.m.), an OP that inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity but does not induce OPIDN. The capability of verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, to attenuate these responses was examined, as this agent ameliorates OPIDN. For the in situ study, the ischiadic artery was cannulated and alterations in pressure measured at a constant flow used to indicate changes in vascular resistance. Changes in vascular resistance in response to acetylcholine, phenylephrine, and salbutamol that were different from those in control and PXN-treated hens were noted 1 and 3 days after administration of PSP. These changes were attenuated in hens given PSP and verapamil. Vascular segments from the ischiadic artery were used to provide an in vitro model to determine if OPs caused direct vascular damage that was responsible for effects seen in the in situ model. In the in vitro model, however, responses of PSP and PXN were similar and not modified in vascular segments from hens given verapamil as well as the OPs. This indicated that the contribution of the cardiovascular system to OPIDN was due to more than a direct effect on relatively large caliber vessels. The contribution of the cardiovascular system to OPIDN also did not appear to relate to morphological changes induced by administration of OPs, as no changes in vascular morphology were noted. An OP-induced effect that could contribute to vascular effects noted are levels of plasma catecholamines. These levels were altered in hens given PSP or PXN, with increases seen after administration of PSP and decreases seen after administration of PXN. These alterations in plasma catecholamine levels were attenuated in hens given both verapamil and OP.
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    Exploring the Feasibility and Applicability of Whoop Technology in NCAA Division D1 Collegiate Wrestlers: A Pilot Study
    Gerardi, Collin; Anderson, Angela S.; Davy, Brenda M.; Williams, Jay (Virginia Tech, 2023-05-19)
    Although athletes decide to go to college ultimately to get an education, the importance of athletic performance to D1 college athletes and coaches cannot be looked over. Coaches and athletes across the country are looking for the most effective way to prepare and train to optimize athletic performance. New technology such as Whoop wearable devices, are leading the way, helping athletes optimize training and recovery to increase athletic performance. The main purpose of this pilot study was to explore the feasibility and applicability of Whoop technology in D1 college wrestlers. Specifically, the aims were to look at relationships between different Whoop biofeedback indicators and relationships between Whoop indicators and variables such as mood states, hydration status, and vertical jump height as a measure of performance. 9 male D1 college wrestlers (age: 21.2 ± 1.20) wore a Whoop strap every day and night except during competition, for 6 weeks during in-season training. The Whoop strap measured recovery percentage, heart rate variability (HRV), resting heart rate (RHR), sleep, and strain (from training and other physical demands) daily. Participants also completed the profile of mood states (POMS) questionnaire and a vertical jump test once weekly. At the conclusion of the study, participants completed the BEVQ-15 survey indicating their fluid intake habits over the course of the previous 30 days. At the conclusion of the data collection phase, 9 out of 10 participants had enough viable data to use for analysis. Additionally, multiple participants reported that they still use the Whoop device even after the conclusion of the study to continue managing their training and recovery. A 90% compliance rate and continued use of the Whoop technology points to its feasibility and applicability for college wrestlers. Results found that recovery, as measured by the Whoop, was positively associated with HRV and sleep, but negatively associated with RHR (p<0.0001, p<0.0001, and p=0.003 respectively). HRV was also found to be negatively associated with RHR (p<0.0001). Daily strain was negatively associated with sleep, RHR, and vertical jump height (p=0.021, p=0.0002, and p=.037 respectively). Lastly, sleep was positively associated with RHR (p=0.041). To add, there were no significant correlations between mood states as measured by the POMS as well as hydration status, with performance as measured by the vertical jump test. In conclusion, Whoop technology was found to be a feasible tool to use to measure performance and readiness biofeedback indicators in a small sample of D1 collegiate wrestlers and the usefulness of Whoop technology to help athletes and coaches make training adaptations and increase performance is promising.
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    Exploring Vertical Jump Height During a Congested Calendar Period in Women's Collegiate Soccer
    Adams, Courtney S.; Williams, Jay; Anderson, Angela S.; Tegarden, David (Virginia Tech, 2023-05-10)
    This study aimed to explore how vertical jump height, as a measure of fatigue, was affected throughout the pre-season training period in women’s division I collegiate soccer. The participants of this study completed three consecutive countermovement jumps with the hands placed on the hips before and after each day of training, throughout a five-day pre-season training period. Participants were placed into one of three groups based on the total minutes of match play each athlete experienced (>60 minutes, 30-60 minutes or <30 minutes). Athletes in the >60 minutes group experienced a larger reduction in vertical jump height than those in the other two groups. The type of training each group participated in following matches one and two was dependent upon the number of match play minutes, as the high minute group participated in a recovery-based training session following each match played. The effects of these group-specific training plans were reflective in the vertical jump heights as there was an increase in jump height for the >60 minutes group and a decrease in height for the 30-60 minutes and the <30 minutes groups. Vertical countermovement jump height was shown to reflect the fatigue experienced by division I collegiate women’s soccer players throughout a pre-season training time-period, as reductions in jump height were found amongst high-minute athletes following match play and amongst low-minute athletes following more demanding training sessions.
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    Lumbar Disc Herniation with Abnormal Unilateral Radiculopathy: A Case Study
    Dobscha, Madison D. (Virginia Tech, 2023-05-08)
    Lumbar disc herniations are one of the most common back injuries. Distal radiculopathies are common complications that accompany disc herniations, but in the case of this 19-year-old male collegiate cheerleader, his symptoms did not resolve with normal rehabilitation and healing time. His immediate treatment plan included traditional Mckenzie extension protocol with sciatic nerve glides as well as erector spinae, glute, and quadratus lumborum soft tissue releases for eight weeks, followed by two epidural steroid injections during his third month post-injury. Corrective strengthening exercises that targeted his core, glutes, and back muscles were completed for a total of twelve months, with a short break during the summer between academic years. He is currently seventeen months post-injury and can complete all activities of daily living (ADLs) without issue and only experiences small limitations when asked to hip hinge with a straight leg during activity. This case study aims to educate current and future orthopedic professionals about potential disc herniation complications and the treatment plan that helped this athlete live comfortably again.