Online Master of Agricultural and Life Sciences

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https://hdl.handle.net/10919/51287

The Online Master of Agricultural and Life Sciences (OMALS), http://www.cals.vt.edu/online/, is uniquely positioned to meet the evolving and dynamic needs of today’s agricultural professionals. The program offers concentrations in the areas of agribusiness, applied animal behavior and welfare, applied nutrition and physical activity, education, environmental science, food safety and biosecurity, and leadership studies, as well as plant science and pest management. In addition to engaging classes, students benefit from the opportunity to work on-on-one with well-respected faculty in Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to complete a rigorous final project, using what they've learned and developing real-world research and communication skills. This collection showcases final projects completed by current and former OMALS students.

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A Multicomponent Initiative to Increase Nutrition Outreach in the East End Neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia
Yancey, Grace; Misyak, Sarah; Myers, Emily; Papillon, Carol (Virginia Tech, 2024-07-22)
Access to healthy food is imperative to support the health of individuals and communities. However, structural inequities have resulted in reduced food access and higher rates of chronic disease in low-income communities. In the East End of Richmond, Virginia, a historically redlined area of the city, residents have reduced healthy food access and experience consequent health disparities. Multiple organizations, food pantries, and urban agriculture initiatives are working to mitigate these food access issues. Bon Secours Community Outreach is aiming to implement nutrition programming in the East End that complements these assets and promotes healthy food access. This project aimed to pilot various nutrition outreach approaches, initiate community engagement, and collect feedback from community members to inform future programming. Nutrition outreach initiatives were adapted to three food access sites including a food pantry, grocery store, and a mobile market to engage with East End residents. Feedback was collected to assess residents’ perceptions on healthy eating behaviors and their preferences around nutrition programming. Engagement levels and feedback collection were highest at the grocery store. Participants indicated preferences for receiving nutrition education from media sources, within community-based spaces, and from medical professionals. A pilot nutrition workshop was implemented that included nutrition education and a cooking demonstration. A Bon Secours dietitian and community health worker provided feedback to revise the workshop for future implementation. This project initiated the first step in community engagement and trialing outreach approaches to inform future nutrition programming.
Accuracy of Intermittent Fasting Guidance in Blogs Used by Personal Trainers from a Gym in South Africa
Disbergen, Shene (Virginia Tech, 2021-10-11)
This project examined the accuracy of blog sources personal trainers in Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa use to educate themselves on the topic of intermittent fasting. Through literature review, different types of intermittent fasting were researched such as time-restricted feeding, periodic fasting, and alternate day fasting as well as the role intermittent fasting plays in weight loss and modifying risk factors for health conditions such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. A small convenience sample of five personal trainers were used to conduct one-on-one semi-structured interviews in a local gym to determine what sources of information they use to educate themselves on intermittent fasting and if they use any blog sources. The top three blog sources were determined based on frequency of mention and manual deductive qualitative coding was applied to blog articles from each blog source in order to determine accuracy of information in two key criteria: timing of feeding and fasting, and instructions on caloric intake. The third criteria, type of references used in each blog article, was recorded and combined with accuracy of the other two criteria to calculate an average reliability score. Accuracy in both timing of feeding and fasting, and instructions on caloric intake fell between 86 and 100%, for the three blog sites, and the average reliability scores fell between 85 and 95%. Another component of this project focused on a qualitative evaluation regarding statements of health benefits made in each blog article as well as the type of reference used to substantiate each health benefit claim based on a hierarchy of scientific evidence.1 There were sixty seven total unique health benefit claims made in the articles from all three blog sources. One hundred percent of those claims had cited references justifying each claim. Forty three percent of the cited references were either Meta analyses and systematic reviews or randomized controlled trials. The findings show that the blog sources these personal trainers use to educate themselves on intermittent fasting are accurate and use top tiers of the hierarchy of scientific evidence to substantiate health benefit claims that are made in the articles.
Advancing Food as Medicine in the Retail Setting
Hollis, Sarah (Virginia Tech, 2024)
Over half of the American population, over 117 million individuals, have at least one or more preventable chronic diseases that are related to poor eating and exercise habits. This includes cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and poor bone health (Schap, 2016). The expansion of Food as Medicine programming in grocery stores is predicted to impact consumer food choices. Food retailers are trailing nutrition-related programs to understand how they can provide solutions to change eating habits (FMI, 2019) as more consumers shift their dietary habits and mindsets to be more focused on how food choices can affect health status. This project aimed to evaluate whether placing nutrition educational materials in ten Food City pharmacies in southwest Virginia and eastern Tennessee would provide consumer guidance in making food choices in the grocery store, specifically for populations looking to follow a low-carbohydrate diet or a heart-healthy diet. A pilot passive quasi-experimental design was created to determine if there was a product lift of the promoted products on the nutrition educational materials. Stores with both the resource racks and bag stuffers at the counters saw a 13.38% increase in carbohydrate-aware items and 1.04% in heart-healthy items. Stores that had bag stuffers only at the pharmacy counters saw a 10.55% increase in carbohydrate-aware items and a -0.11% decrease in heart-healthy items. Comparison stores saw a 11.19% increase in carbohydrate-aware items and a -0.48% decrease in heart-healthy items. This intervention was successful as it provided real world significance in product lift as well as it provided insight into future program development and modifications for future resources.
Body Project Implementation in Virginia Tech Athletics: Effect on Body Image Satisfaction and Thin Idealization
Labiaga, Janelle S. C. (Virginia Tech, 2020-05-21)
Eating disorders and disordered eating have a prevalence of 6% to 45% in collegiate female athletes (Knapp, Aerni, & Anderson, 2014). Thin idealization and body image dissatisfaction are risk factors for the development of disordered eating and eating disorders. Dissonance-based prevention programs have been shown to be effective in reducing thin idealization and body image dissatisfaction, as well as lessening risk of developing disordered eating and eating disorders. Currently, Virginia Tech Athletics does not utilize a group-based eating disorder prevention program for its female athletes. The purpose of this pilot project was to administer the Body Project, a dissonance-based prevention program aimed at reducing thin idealization and body image dissatisfaction, to female swimmers at Virginia Tech and evaluate the program’s effect on thin idealization and body image dissatisfaction. Thin idealization and body image dissatisfaction were evaluated via the Body Parts Satisfaction Survey-Revised (BPSS-R) and the Ideal Body Stereotype Survey-Revised (IBSS-R), respectively, before and after completion of the Body Project. Ten female swimmers, without current eating disorders, volunteered to participate, and nine swimmers (19.44 ± 1.42 years old; 5 freshmen, 2 juniors, and 2 seniors) completed the full project. Sixty-seven percent of participants (6 out of 9) experienced a reduction in their subscription to thin-ideal internalization (IBSS-R 2.96 ± 0.92 pre, 1.85 ± 0.88 post, p<0.05), while 78% of participants (7 out of 9) experienced an increase in body satisfaction (BPSS-R 4.42 ± 1.35 pre, 5.08 ± 0.90 post, p<0.05, p< 0.05). The findings of this pilot project suggest that the Body Project is an effective tool to influence subscription to thin-ideal internalization and body satisfaction in female college athletes. Continued effort to refine and implement the Body Project as group-based eating disorder prevention program for female college athletes is needed.
Collegiate Athletes’ Knowledge of Nutrition and Sports Performance
Slagle, Madison T.; Rafie, Carlin; Anderson, Angela S.; Murphy, Kelly (Virginia Tech, 2023-05-08)
This study examined Virginia Tech female collegiate athletes’ knowledge and perspectives of nutrition and its relationship to sports performance. Although various studies have examined the nutritional knowledge of collegiate athletes, the knowledge and perspectives of athletes on the value of nutrition to their performance needs further study. This current study aims to investigate the nutrition knowledge and perspectives relating to athletic performance of Virginia Tech female collegiate athletes through structured interviews using a literature-based interview guide, and to assess the dietary actions and sources of nutrition information in this population. A total of ten student-athletes participated in the interview process via Zoom. Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) served as the theoretical framework for development of the interview questions and analysis of responses. Content analysis of transcribed interviews was conducted using a hybrid deductive and inductive approach. Information from the interviews fell into four broad themes related to nutrition and athletic performance, focus on balance, schedule considerations, planning ahead, and terminology confusion. This study found female collegiate athletes from Virginia Tech showed a lack of understanding of nutrition as it relates to athletic performance. Despite the fact that respondents think nutrition has a significant impact on sports performance, these participants only gave nutrition a partial significance in their daily lives.
Design and Implementation of a Pilot Collegiate Sleep Health Incentive Program
Anderson, Abigail (Virginia Tech, 2024-08-06)
This study examined collegiate sleep health habits and aimed to design a sleep health promotion program to support better quality sleep for college students. A variety of factors affect college students’ sleep health and affect the current state of campus wellness programming. Although various studies have examined sleep education incentive programs among college students, few utilized the Self-Determination theoretical framework to focus on students' psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. This current study focused on delivering sleep education activities to college students to foster long-lasting behavior change for sleep health rooted in Self-Determination Theory. A total of eight Virginia Tech Summer 1, online students completed the 5-week sleep intervention which delivered a module based asynchronous sleep education course through the CANVAS learning platform. As an incentive to participate in the program, they were offered extra credit points to be added to their final course grade. Participants engaged in a pre-program sleep hygiene index assessment to assess current sleep habits, then they engaged in several weeks of educational, social, and physical activities designed to help promote healthy sleep habits. After the program, participants filled out an additional sleep hygiene index survey to compare results as well as a post-program survey which assessed the success rate of the program. Post-program results showed a significant improvement in sleep hygiene (p < 0.001) with 87.5% of participants made positive habit changes to their sleep and 100% of participants would recommend the Goodnight Hokies sleep education program to other students. In addition, several of the weekly activities received a 50% positive relation to SDT. Even though 100% of participants would recommend this program to other students the study still had an overall attrition rate of 52.5% with only eight students completing the entire program.
Designing a Return to Activity Protocol for a Proximal Hamstring Rupture in a Collegiate Heptathlete: A Case Study
Locus, Alaina; Williams, Jay H.; Anderson, Angela S.; Speicher, Logan (Virginia Tech, 2021-04-20)
There are few return-to-activity protocols and functional tests specifically designed for a proximal hamstring rupture for athletic trainers to follow when clearing an athlete for return to activity. To address this problem, the purpose of this study is to describe and evaluate a return to activity protocol that includes functional testing for a post-surgical proximal hamstring rupture to assess readiness for return to activity. This case study collected data from a 20-year-old, 6ft 2in, 185lb (87.9 kg) collegiate heptathlete that ruptured his proximal hamstring that required surgical treatment. The student athlete’s (SA) return to activity process is evaluated and explained. The SA went through numerous function tests to determine return to activity status. The first testing session was conducted 8 months post-surgery. He was then re-assessed 4 months later. During testing, the SA also wore accelerometers to gather more quantitative data to identify gait abnormalities due to the injury. The first round of testing revealed greater strength in his left (affected) leg compared to his right (unaffected) leg. The SA was not able to complete all the tests during the first round of testing due to muscular fatigue and soreness, suggesting low muscular endurance at that point in time. Thus, he was not cleared to return to activity and continued to do rehabilitation exercises to increase the endurance of the hamstring muscles. The second round of testing was completed 4 months later which revealed that he had gained endurance in the hamstring muscles and his strength had increased. At this point, he was cleared for full return to activity. This return-to-activity protocol with specific functional tests could serve as a template for other athletic trainers who are seeking to return an athlete to full activity after suffering a proximal hamstring rupture (See Appendix I).
Dietary & Biological Assessment of Omega-3 Status of Collegiate Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
Ritz, Peter (Virginia Tech, 2019-11-17)
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) recently made changes to its supplement policies, allowing Division I schools to provide fish oil/ omega-3 supplements to athletes. Given the relatively small body of research available on the topic, the purpose of this project was to assess the current intake of omega-3 fats in NCAA Division I athletes in their diets and their corresponding Omega-3 Index (O3i) blood levels, a blood measure suggested to be associated with the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease. In a total sample of 1528 participants (51% male, 19.9 ± 1.4 years of age) from 29 sports, only 6% (n=93) of participants achieved the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics’ recommendation to consume 500 mg DHA+EPA/ day. Use of fish oil/ omega-3 supplements was reported by 15% (n=229) of participants. In a subset of 298 participants, zero participants met the suggested Omega-3 Index of >8%.This project produced similar findings to smaller previous studies, suggesting that collegiate athletes are not meeting the general recommendations for omega-3 fats.
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.
The Effect of Genetic Variations in the FADS1 Gene on Fatty Acid Metabolism
Steinbach, Rachel; Good, Deborah J.; Anderson, Angela S.; Rockwell, Michelle S. (Virginia Tech, 2022-12)
FADS1 is a key regulator of fatty acid metabolism with important implications for athlete health and performance. Mutations in the FADS1 gene have been linked to a variety of adverse health conditions, in addition to alterations in biochemical levels of fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, are associated with rates of inflammation, immune function, and brain health in athletes. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between genetic variability, specifically in the FADS1 gene, and fatty acid metabolism in an athletic population. Methods: 20 collegiate football players were recruited for this study. Saliva samples were collected for the purpose of obtaining genetic information. Serum samples for ALA, AA, EPA, and DHA were collected to measure omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid levels. Genotypes and serum measurements were compared using 3x3 Fisher Exact tests, and the online software PROVEAN was used to identify potential novel variants in the FADS1 gene. Results of this exploratory study suggest the minor allele for 9 variants in the FADS1 gene decrease baseline serum levels of EPA. These results suggest that genetic data may be useful in assessing individual athlete risk for n-3 PUFA deficiency and associated health consequences. Subsequently, this may allow athletes and sports practitioners to make better informed decisions about individual intake and supplementation of n-3 PUFAs, specifically, EPA and DHA.
The Effects of Subconcussive Head Impacts on Neurocognitive Performance in Collegiate Football Athletes
Torino, Leigha (Virginia Tech, 2022-08-26)
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is progressive degeneration of the brain that has been found in multiple case reports of American football athletes. A major predictor of CTE are subconcussive head impacts. Repetitive head impacts that do not result in signs or symptoms of a concussion have been termed ‘subconcussive head impacts.’ Researchers have begun to identify characteristics of subconcussive head impacts experienced during football (e.g., amount, force, speed, and direction of impacts), but to date, changes in these characteristics have not been described over the course of a full collegiate football season. In addition, research on the effects of subconcussive head impacts on neurocognitive performance is inconsistent. Neurocognitive performance is defined as the capability to think and reason through concentration, recall, learning, and processing information. Therefore, in this study we aimed to describe subconcussive head impacts experienced by American football athletes throughout a full collegiate season, and to evaluate the effect of a full season of subconcussive head impacts on neurocognitive performance through the assessment of complex brain activities, or cognition. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football athletes from two programs served as participants (n=39, age 20.4+1.6 years). The data to describe subconcussive head impacts were collected through an accelerometer that attached to the participants’ helmets during all practices and games. The assessment of cognition was conducted through a testing battery, the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). We found that over the course of one full season, participants experienced a mean of 824.5 head impacts at varying forces. Performance on assessments of memory, reaction time, and flexible thinking decreased from the start of the season to the end of the season. In addition, participants who experienced a higher amount of head impacts and who experienced a higher rotational speed of the head upon impact, performed worse on the assessments of neurocognitive performance. These results suggest an important target for decreasing the consequences of repetitive head impacts, such as a reduction in the amount of contact practices in exchange for film study or other non-contact options.
Effects of Water Consumption and Body Water Content on Exercise Performance in Recreational Athletes
Brown, Meghan (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-05)
Objective: To evaluate water consumption and body water content of recreational athletes to determine their effects on physical fitness and performance. Methods: This secondary cross-sectional investigation utilized data from Drexel University. Participants had their data collected over two visits to the laboratory. Measurements taken in the original study included: aerobic fitness assessed via maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) using a metabolic cart, resting metabolic rate (RMR) evaluated using a metabolic cart, body composition measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), body water content measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), kilocalories (kcals) from vigorous physical activity measured using Actical accelerometers, water consumption assessed by asking participants how much water they consumed the day prior to each visit (at both time points), and dietary data from the 2005 Block Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). R studio (RStudio 2023.12.1 Build 402 "Ocean Storm" for Windows, 2024, Posit Software, PBC, Boston, MA) was utilized to run linear models that fit all covariates (age, sex, body weight, height, body mass index [BMI], kcals from vigorous activity), water consumption obtained at time points 1 and 2, extracellular water [ECW], intracellular water [ICW], total body water [TWC] obtained by BIA at time point 1 only). These models analyzed the two-way interaction of VO2max to the water variables or covariates. These models also analyzed three-way interactions of VO2max to water variables and covariates combined. A stepwise linear regression was then used, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were performed. Linear regression of the significant water variables was plotted showing variations in age and sex. Results: A total of 141 individuals (65 females and 76 males), 18 to 64 years of age, were included in the secondary cross-sectional analyses. The youngest age group had the highest mean VO2max and body water content (47.8 mL/kg/minute and 98.34 L (TWC), respectively). Changes in the covariates (age, height, BMI, kcals from vigorous activity) were each found to significantly affect VO2max (all P<0.001). ECW (P=0.0005), ICW (P=0.01) and TCW (P=0.016) were significantly associated with VO2max. Water consumption at both time points were not significantly associated with VO2max. ECW had a strong positive relationship with VO2max for those 18 to 29 and ≥50 years of age. There was an inverse relationship between ICW and VO2max for those 18 to 29 years of age and those ≥50 years of age (P=0.0020 and P= 0.59, respectively). In those 18 to 29 years of age, as ICW increased VO2max increased, while for those ≥50 years of age, as ICW increased VO2max decreased. Conclusion: There were no significant associations found between water consumption and VO2max; however, significant correlations with water content assessed by BIA and VO2max were found. The significant positive relationship among ECW, ICW and VO2max, with variations by age, indicate that further research for these populations should be conducted because body water content may play a role in exercise performance. Keywords: Adult athletes, Body water content, Exercise performance, Recreational athletes, VO2max, Water consumption
Examining the Feasibility and Implementation of a New Dietary Intake Documentation Method in a Hospital Setting
Gause, Allison (Virginia Tech, 2024-07-29)
Malnutrition affects one in three hospitalized patients in the United States (Sauer et al., 2019). One of the six diagnostic criteria for malnutrition is inadequate dietary intake, which can be tracked in several ways. In hospital settings, tracking and documenting dietary intake is primarily the responsibility of nursing staff or dietitians (Heighington-Wansbrough & Gemming, 2022). This project aimed to develop and present a staff training presentation on a new documentation method, utilizing the Welch Allyn Connex Spot Monitor, a point-of-care technology device. The training was presented to various clinical staff at Inova Alexandria Hospital at two meetings. The training presentation reviewed the importance of accurate meal documentation, the disadvantages of the current method, and instructions on how to follow the new method. Documentation frequency was collected from ten patient charts, with a length of stay greater than three days, from three hospital units before the training. Documentation frequency was measured again one week following the second training and four weeks following the second training. The baseline mean before the intervention was implemented was 4.33 meals per patient. The one-week post-intervention mean meals documented was 6.07 meals per patient and the four-week post-intervention mean was 4.1 meals per patient. The results indicated an increase in meal documentation frequency, across all units, one week following the second training session (p = 0.02). When assessing the maintenance of meal documentation four weeks after the training, the frequency was no longer significantly higher and returned close to the baseline value (p = 0.74). In conclusion, meal documentation frequency increased in the week following the training presentation. The adoption of the new method was not sustained over four weeks and highlighted the need for more regular training on the new documentation method.
An Exploration of the Relationship between Campus Recreation Usage at Virginia Tech and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Mengle, Julie (Virginia Tech, 2024-05-06)
Throughout the pandemic, Virginia Tech Recreational Sports operations were adapted in compliance with federal, state, and local guideline to ensure the safety of the students it serves as a department. Operational adjustments that were made included closures, limited capacities, and virtual programming to name a few. Participation rates in all areas of Virginia Tech Recreational Sports naturally saw a significant decrease during the pandemic due to these restrictions. This project investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student engagement in campus recreation, or recreational sports, programs at Virginia Tech with a focus on facility gym swipes, group exercise attendance, and intramural sports involvement spanning three distinct time periods: pre-COVID (T1), during COVID (T2), and post-COVID (T3). Virginia Tech Recreational Sports data uploaded to Virginia Tech’s University Data Commons was used to analyze engagement numbers for students at the undergraduate and graduate level across various demographics including academic college, race/ethnicity, and gender. Statistical tests for significance were not able to be completed with the data in this study alone, so the results were only interpreted qualitatively. This study indicates that there has been a gradual return to pre-COVID engagement and participation levels in all areas of Virginia Tech Recreational Sports, but the return has been varied across each area. Intramurals appears to have higher involvement post-COVID than pre-COVID, whereas gym swipes and group exercise participation numbers have not returned to pre-COVID levels for most demographics. Return to pre-COVID participation levels varies between academic colleges, race/ethnicity, and gender for all areas. Research plays an integral role in informing decisions and developing strategies that will shape the future of campus recreation. Understanding how student engagement has evolved as a result of the pandemic can guide programmers within Virginia Tech Recreational Sports, specifically Director of Rec Sports Ali Cross, to make data-informed decisions for their offerings.
Exploring Genetic Influences on Food Allergies and Auto-Immune Diseases: Understanding Individual Variations
Anderson, Rashonda (Virginia Tech, 2024-04-23)
Food allergies pose a significant health risk, affecting millions of Americans, with symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Likewise, autoimmune diseases, where the immune system attacks healthy tissues, encompass a wide range of conditions, each with distinct symptoms and impacts on various organs. Through an analysis of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), this research explores associations between specific genetic markers and phenotypic outcomes related to allergies and autoimmune diseases. Utilizing data from the genetic testing service 23andMe, this study investigated how genetic makeup may be related to individual responses to food, shedding light on underlying molecular mechanisms. Results demonstrate significant associations between certain SNPs and disease outcomes, highlighting the potential for personalized interventions in managing allergies and autoimmune disorders. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of personalized nutrition and may pave the way for novel approaches to disease prevention and management.
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.
Exploring the Impact of Increased Access and Experiential Learning on Fruit and Vegetable Consumption for Diabetes Prevention Program Participants
Munson, Amy Jaelyn; Rafie, Carlin; Serrano, Elena L.; Butterfield, Kimberly (Virginia Tech, 2023-05-08)
The aim of this study was to address the need to improve ways of encouraging individuals who are living with prediabetes to increase their daily consumption of fruits and vegetables. In order to address this problem, the study explored a strategy that could serve as motivation and skill-building in people who are living with prediabetes. The first part of the strategy was to provide participants with weekly allotments of fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition to providing fresh fruits and vegetables, the second part of the strategy allowed participants to experience a food demonstration highlighting a healthy recipe using one or two of the fresh fruits and vegetables. The strategy was implemented along with a weekly curriculum from a “lifestyle change program” led by a trained coach (CDC, 2021e). To evaluate the impact of the strategy, dietary consumption surveys were collected from individuals enrolled in the CDC-recognized lifestyle change program in two different cohorts (a control group and intervention group) located in Southwest Virginia over an eighteen-week period. Both groups responded to a survey regarding their fruit and vegetable consumption and the data was analyzed for the relationship between fruit and vegetable access and skill-building food demonstrations and consumption of fruit and vegetables. The results could assist diabetes instructors and coaches in developing program components to implement with their clients who are living with prediabetes to encourage behavior changes around meeting the recommended daily consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Exploring the Role of Biofeedback in Physiological Monitoring of Alcohol and Caffeine Consumption in Collegiate Softball Athletes
Fagan, Samantha (Virginia Tech, 2021-05-21)
Alcohol and caffeine, when consumed in excessive amounts, may negatively impact performance, health, and well-being. Nevertheless, college athletes have been shown to commonly consume these substances at a high level despite numerous interventions in place to moderate intake. The goal of this pilot project was to explore the role of biofeedback in monitoring and influencing alcohol and caffeine consumption among collegiate athletes. Twelve female NCAA Division I collegiate softball athletes (age: 19.1 ± 1.3; race: Caucasian/Non-Hispanic n=11,) wore a WHOOP® strap non-stop for 60 days to measure resting heart rate (RHR), heart rate variability (HRV), recovery (calculated from HRV, RHR, and hours of sleep), sleep, and energy (kcals) expended. Subjects also completed a brief daily survey regarding alcohol and caffeine intake during the previous 24 hours. At the end of the 60-day period, subjects participated in a semi-structured interview regarding their perception of the impact of wearing the WHOOP® strap on health-related behaviors. Overall, subjects consumed alcohol on 19.2±6.0% of days, at a rate of 1.0±0.7 servings of alcohol per day (range: 0 to 14 servings). Caffeine intake was 100.3±75.9 mg of caffeine per day. Alcohol intake was negatively associated with next-day and weekly recovery % (r=-0.304, p<0.001 and r=-0.576, p=0.02 respectively), sleep % (r=-0.286, p<0.001 and r= -0.434, p= 0.04) respectively), HRV (r=-0.251, p=<0.001 and r= -0.530, p= 0.029 respectively), and kcals expended (r=-0.213, p<0.001 and r= -0.528, p= 0.029 respectively), and was positively associated with next-day RHR (r=0.333, p<0.001). Caffeine intake was positively associated with weekly RHR (r= 0.653, p= 0.010) and negatively associated with next-day and weekly HRV (r=-0.079, p=0.034 and r= -0.500, p= 0.034 respectively), but not with any other measure. Eight of the twelve subjects perceived that the WHOOP® strap influenced their behavior in some way (sleep: n=6, caffeine: n=3, alcohol: n=2). In conclusion, alcohol and caffeine intake influenced multiple WHOOP® strap-derived physiological measures in a small cohort of collegiate softball players. This method of biofeedback shows promise for monitoring alcohol and caffeine consumption and potentially modifying related behaviors in athletes.
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.
Factors that Affect Implementing the MIND Diet in the Acute Care Setting to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease
Rhoads, Haley (Virginia Tech, 2020-08-10)
Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating and life-altering diagnosis that continues to rise each year, as our population continues to live longer. While there is currently no proven cure for the disease, there are proactive measures that can be taken to delay or prevent onset of the disease. The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet is a compilation of foods that work synergistically to promote the prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The specific amount and types of foods in this diet promote the reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, thus preventing or delaying onset of AD. While there is evidence to support the use of the MIND diet as a long-term approach to prevent AD, this diet is currently not being administered in healthcare settings in the United States. This study explores the factors affecting implementing the MIND diet in an acute care setting. Working within the transtheoretical model of behavior change, a foodservice organization is examined in regard to their readiness to change and willingness to adopt this diet into their facilities. Their willingness to adopt the MIND diet was determined by a series of interviews held via email, phone call, and in person. The organization deemed the MIND diet inappropriate for the acute care setting because of the short length of stay of patients, budgetary restraints, and patient preferences. While the MIND diet was deemed inappropriate for effective use in this environment, there are multiple other settings that should be explored in future research. The MIND diet is most beneficial when adhered to for a long duration, therefore, introducing the diet in a setting where the population is exposed for longer be most beneficial. Example of these settings include daycares, schools, long-term care facilities, senior living centers, or assisted living facilities.

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Browsing Online Master of Agricultural and Life Sciences by Department "Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise"

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