Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item Improving health outcomes by reducing vitamin D deficiency in a rural clinical setting: a quality improvement project(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2024) Pollard, Saije Madisen; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Julie Ruff; This is a manuscript style paper that includes co-authored chapters.Vitamin D deficiency strongly correlates with high morbidity and health risks such as fatigue, mood irregularities, and muscle weakness. As of 2023, there are over one billion people of various ages suffering from vitamin D deficiency (Almuqbil et al 2023). A rural Wyoming clinic lacked a standardized process to screen for vitamin D deficiency, yet the condition is highly prevalent within their patient population. This quality improvement project aimed to implement a standardized vitamin D screening process within the rural Wyoming clinic. Patients were screened and offered a blood draw to obtain their vitamin D levels at each office visit. If applicable, patients were offered vitamin D supplementation. In concurrence with the lab draw, patients were asked to fill out a PHQ-9, GAD-7 and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) to track their mood and energy levels. The lab draws and screening questionnaires were repeated after eight weeks of supplementation. Screening for vitamin D deficiency improved from less than 20 percent prior to implementing the standardized process to over 90 percent after eight weeks of implementation. There was no significant correlation between PHQ-9, GAD-7, FSS and vitamin D levels. Eight individuals received the eight-week lab draw and 62 percent of these individuals had optimal vitamin D levels, 70-100mg/dL. The standardized vitamin D screening process was successful in increasing quality and frequency of screening; however, a significant correlation between mood, fatigue, and vitamin D levels was not found.Item The Y-balance test in runners: relationships between performance and running mechanics, and the influence of fatigue(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2020) Wilson, Charles Scott; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: James P. Becker; Allison Theobold, Sara Skammer, Sam Nelson and James Becker were co-authors of the article, 'A multivariate analysis between the Y-balance test and injury-linked running mechanics' submitted to the journal 'The American journal of sports medicine' which is contained within this thesis.; Sam Nelson, Sara Skammer and James Becker were co-authors of the article, 'The relationship between Y-balance test performance and running mechanics at the hip following fatigue' submitted to the journal 'The journal of orthopedic and sports physical therapy' which is contained within this thesis.The YBT is a widely known clinical movement screen used to measure strength, dynamic stability and neuromuscular control in a variety of athletic and clinical populations. The YBT is also used to predict injury risk across a range of sports. Strength and neuromuscular control of the muscles surrounding the hip are strong predictors of YBT performance. These same variables are also essential for running performance and the prevention of injury. Changes in injury-related running mechanics have been shown to occur along the course of a fatiguing run. Thus, the purpose of this thesis was twofold: 1) to evaluate the relationship between YBT performance and running mechanics and 2) to evaluate whether YBT performance can predict changes in injury-linked running mechanics after a run to fatigue. For the remainder of this paper the previous manuscripts will be referred to as Study 1 (A Multivariate Analysis of the Relationships Between Y-Balance Test Performance and Running Mechanics) and Study 2 (The Relationship Between Y-Balance Test Performance and Running Mechanics at the Hip Following Fatigue).Item Change in finger force production and muscle activation in the forearms of rock climbers during treadwall climbing(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2018) Ferrara, Philip Frank, III; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: John G. Seifert; John G. Seifert, Mary P. Miles and James Becker were co-authors of the article, 'Change in finger force production and muscle activation in the forearms of climbers during treadwall climbing' submitted to the journal 'Journal of Sport Sciences' which is contained within this thesis.Rock climbing is a multi-faceted sport requiring finger flexor strength and endurance. Sustained isometric contractions lead to the build-up of metabolic byproducts that fatigue the finger flexors, however the effect of climbing ability on muscular fatigue is not fully understood. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of rock climbing ability on time to fatigue (TTF), relative finger force production (REL FP), change in FP (DeltaFP), and changes in muscle activity during bouts of climbing on a treadwall. Eight advanced (6 male, 2 female: 29.3 + or = 4.7 yrs, 69.1 + or = 6.9 kg, years experience: 11.1 + or = 5.2) and seven novice (5 male, 2 female: 21 + or = 2.3 yrs, 67.6 + or = 3.8 kg, years experience: 3.0 + or = 2.6) subjects participated. Subjects warmed-up on the treadwall and mounted force tranducer. Electromyographic (EMG) electrodes were placed over the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), biceps brachii and triceps brachii muscle to measure motor unit action potentials. Root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MF) were analyzed from EMG data. Subjects performed a pre-exercise, 20-second maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC PRE) with the fingertips of the dominant hand (DH) and non- dominant hand (NDH). The climbing protocol consisted of climbing for 5-minute intervals. Subjects performed another MVIC after each interval. EMG and force data were recorded during MVICs. A total of six intervals were performed, or until failure. Group comparisons were made at the 5th interval (MVIC POST). Climbing ability and handedness were analyzed using a 2x2 mixed ANOVA with repeated measures (alpha level < 0.05). Significant group differences were observed for TTF, REL FP, and percent DeltaFP and FDS DeltaMF. Advanced climbers' average REL FP during MVIC PRE was 5.6 + or = 1.4 N/kg BW and 5.2 + or = 1.6 N/kg from the DH and NDH, respectively. Novice REL FP was 3.1 + or = 0.8 N/kg BW and 3.1 + or = 1.0 N/kg. Novices DeltaFP decreased 30.8 + or = 16.0% and 24.9 + or = 18.6%, advanced climbers experienced no change. Advanced MF increased 4.8 + or = 25.9% and 7.7 + or = 18.8%, novice MF decreased 22.7 + or = 6.5% and 12.6 + or = 15.5%. In conclusion, advanced climbers demonstrated a resistance to climbing-specific fatigue during bouts of treadwall climbing.Item Whole body vibrations on the low back using a suspension versus non-suspension seat post during off-road cycling(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Engineering, 2002) Stanley, Laura MichelleItem Physiological stress during five-days of vacation skiing(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2011) Portmann, Jennifer Ann; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: John G. SeifertLittle research has been conducted on repeated days of recreational skiing. Repeated days of recreational skiing were thought to increase stress markers, induce fatigue, and hinder ski performance and enjoyment. PURPOSE: To examine the physiological changes that occur in recreational skiers from elevations below 460 meters over five days of vacation skiing. METHODS: Fourteen skiers, four females (Mean ± SD; Age (yrs): 41.3 ± 6.2), ten males (47.9 ± 11.2) participated in the study. Nine skiers were considered advanced skiers (7 males, 2 females) and five intermediate skiers (3 males, 2 females). Subjects arrived at Bridger Bowl Ski Area, Bozeman MT to ski for five days. Each subject filled out subjective scales, had their resting heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured as well as blood drawn for creatine kinase analysis. Samples were taken on days 1, 3, and 5. Subjects skied for three hours in the morning at a self selected pace and on self selected runs. They came in for lunch and recorded their rating of perceived exertion (RPE). The researcher downloaded the data from the heart rate monitor. The subjects skied in the afternoon until a self determined end time and again recorded their RPE and gave the researcher their heart rate monitors; the researcher then gave directions for the following day. RESULTS: The variables of ski time, number of runs, heart rate, blood pressure, and subjective scales did not change significantly. However, RPE was significantly increased suggesting an increase amount of perceptual fatigue. Creatine kinase was did not increase until one outlier was removed. Significant creatine kinase (p=0.001) and RPE results strongly suggests that subjects were stressed even without a decrease in runs, or ski time. CONCLUSION: The current study supports previous research; repeated days of skiing was not a fatiguing enough event to hinder ski performance or enjoyment. Future studies should examine whether repeated days of skiing results in a positive contribution to physical fitness.Item The effects of acute muscular fatigue on the functional ability of the knee joint(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2005) Brown, Tyler Nolan; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Michael E. Hahn.Results of preliminary data collection indicate an increase of electromyography (EMG) amplitude in fatiguing isokinetic contractions of the knee extensors. The primary purpose of this study was to determine if the EMG/Torque relationship of vastus lateralis changes as a result of fatigue. The second purpose of this study was to determine if tests of functional ability are affected by fatigue. Twenty-two subjects (13 males and 9 females) were sampled from two populations with different types of training (strength versus endurance) experience. The procedures included a five-minute self-selected warmup on a cycle ergometer, pre-fatigue functional ability tests, fatigue protocol and postfatigue functional ability tests. The functional ability test protocol included four singleleg hopping drills to assess the functional performance of the knee joint. Torque was measured on an isokinetic dynamometer at 60 degrees per second through a functional range of motion until acute fatigue was reached during the fatigue protocol. Surface EMG electrodes were placed over the vastus lateralis to develop an EMG/Torque ratio during the dynamic contractions. The results indicate training type did not significantly affect torque production (p = 0.373) or the EMG/Torque ratio (p = 0.744) during isokinetic knee extensions in response to acute muscular fatigue. The strength-trained sample tended to have a greater increase of the EMG/Torque ratio during the fatigue protocol. The results did indicate that there were two significantly different types of response to acute muscular fatigue (p < 0.001). There were significant differences between the preand post-fatigue functional ability tests for the M/L (p < 0.001) and Up/Down (p = 0.011) but not for 3-Forward (p = 0.408) or Figure-8 (p = 0.286). One group doubled their activation magnitude during the fatigue protocol, while another group did not increase their activation magnitude during the fatigue protocol. It is possible that the increase of activation magnitude seen during the fatigue protocol is a result of transition of fiber type utilization. Further study is needed to determine what is the primary cause of the muscleαs response to acute muscular fatigue.