Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion

The purpose of this research was to investigate how accurate trained lifters were
at gauging intra-set rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) in the squat, bench press, and
deadlift. Ten resistance-trained males completed four sets to failure with 80% of their
one-repetition maximum (1RM) and verbally indicated when they believed they were at a
“6” and “9” RPE. Across all sets and all lifts, the called 9 RPE was more accurate than
the called 6 RPE. Additionally, RPE calls were more accurate during set four vs. set one
on the squat and deadlift at both the called 6 and 9 RPEs. Further bench press RPE calls
were more accurate than squat and deadlift RPE at the called 6, while both bench and
deadlift RPE calls were more accurate than squat RPEs at the called 9. Importantly across
all sets all RPE calls assessed repetitions in reserve within one repetition of precision.

This study used a training package to teach social media safety skills, using
Facebook, to adolescents and young adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders in a
small group setting. Participants were taught to decline, block and report when they
received a lure from someone that they do not know. A multiple baseline design across
lures demonstrated the effects of the intervention on participant performance. Results
confirmed an increase in social media safety skills performed by all participants.
Participants were able to maintain this skill set once the training package was removed.
Spontaneous generalization was demonstrated by all participants for some lures.
Generalization of social media safety skills was demonstrated across participants in a
setting where they did not receive instruction. Limitations and implications for future
research are discussed.

This research examined the time-course of muscle damage in the squat, bench
press, and deadlift. Ten resistance-trained males performed four sets to failure with 80%
of one-repetition maximum (1RM) for each exercise on three separate weeks. Swelling,
range of motion (ROM), delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), lactate dehydrogenase
(LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and average concentric velocity (ACV) were assessed pretraining
and at five timepoints post-training: -0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. Swelling
(p<0.01) increased immediately post-training, and DOMS (p<0.01) increased at 24 hours
post-training in the bench press condition. Additionally, DOMS increased at 48 hours in
both squat and deadlift conditions (p<0.01). Squat and deadlift elevated CK immediately
post-training (p<0.01), but LDH only increased in the squat post-training. Immediately
post in the bench press ACV was decreased (p<0.01) along with in the squat for up to 72
hours (p<0.01), however, ACV did not change following the deadlift (p>0.05).

The purpose of the present study was to investigate if any relationship exists
between anthropometric measurements with average concentric velocity (ACV) at
various intensities in the back squat and the number of repetitions able to be
performed during a set to volitional fatigue at 70% of one-repetition maximum
(1RM). It was hypothesised that short femurs and total height would be related to
slower ACVs and lower total number of repetitions performed. 58 resistance trained
subjects were recruited and attended one day of data collection. Subjects performed
1RM testing of the back squat followed by two single repetition sets at 30-90% of
1RM and a 70% of 1RM set to fatigue. There was no significant correlation between
femur length and height with ACV at any intensity (p>0.05). A significant negative
correlation existed between both height (r=-0.39, p=0.003) and femur length (r=-0.31,
p=0.018) with total number of repetitions performed.

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the impact of acute highintensity
interval Exercise (HIIE) on plasma cfDNA and IL-6 responses in obese and
normal-weight subjects. Fifteen subjects (8 obese and 7 normal-weight) were recruited to
participate in an acute HIIE protocol. Our results demonstrated a significant elevation
across time in plasma cfDNA and IL-6 immediately following acute HIIE, with no
difference between obese and normal-weight subjects. Furthermore, cfDNA was not
correlated with IL-6 in response to acute HIIE in either group. These findings indicate
that the obese state does not further exacerbate the release of acute HIIE-induced
inflammatory mediators (cfDNA and IL-6), which suggests that HIIE training may serve
as a time-effective exercise strategy to improve obesity-associated inflammation.

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of acute high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) vs. continuous moderate-intensity exercise (CME) on serum CTRP9 and brachial FMD responses in obese and normal-weight subjects. Sixteen participants (9 obese and 7 normal-weight) completed HIIE and CME in a randomized fashion. Our results showed a significant time effect for CTRP9 immediately following acute HIIE and CME in both groups. Furthermore, both significant treatment by time and group by time interactions for FMD were observed following both exercise protocols, with greater CME-induced FMD response in obese subjects than normal-weight subjects. Additionally, a positive correlation in percent change (baseline to peak) between CTRP9 and FMD was observed following acute CME. These findings support acute CME for improvement of endothelial function in obesity. Furthermore, the novel results from this study provide a foundation for additional examination of the mechanisms of exercise-mediated CTRP9 on endothelial function.

The purpose of this research was to investigate if various psychological wellbeing
assessments can predict maximal strength performance and self-scored rating of
perceived exertion (RPE) in the back squat. Fifty-eight resistance-trained males and
females were recruited, and reported to the laboratory on one day. Subjects completed
eight different scales and questionnaires before completing one-repetition maximum
(1RM) testing of the squat, followed by two single-repetition sets at 30%, 40%, 50%,
60%, 70%, 80%, and 90% of 1RM, and a set to volitional fatigue at 70% of 1RM.
Cognitive anxiety and hypersomnia were found to be positive and negative predictors
(p<0.05), respectively, of 1RM performance. Further, self-confidence, grit, and perceived
recovery status were significant negative predictors of RPE (p<0.05). Finally, PRS was
discovered to be a positive predictor of subject-reported 1RM self-efficacy (b=0.39,
t=3.14, p<0.01, R2=0.15).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare relationships between
dietary and physical activity (PA) behaviors and body composition and body fat
distribution, as measured by percent body fat (BF%), waist-to-height ratio (WHt), waistto-
hip ratio (WHp) and body mass index (BMI) in post-menopausal women (Post), with
the same relationships in pre-menopausal women (Pre). METHODS: Ninety-two subjects
(n = 48 Post; n = 44 Pre) were measured for height, weight, waist and hip circumferences
and skinfold thicknesses. Dietary content was obtained from a Diet History Questionnaire
(DHQ II); PA was estimated from responses to the International Physical Activity
Questionnaire (IPAQ). RESULTS: Multiple regression identified no modifiable predictor
variables for Pre. Models for Post identified saturated fat grams (SFGs), PA, years
postmenopause (YrsPost), and Alcohol (Alc) as predictors of WHt, WHp, BMI and BF%.
CONCLUSIONS: PA, SFG and Alc are modifiable variables related to postmenopausal
body composition and fat distribution.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of linear position
transducers (LPTs), The Open Barbell System (OBS) and Tendo Weightlifting Analyzer
System (TWAS), in comparison to criterion measure Optotrak Certus (OC3D). Further,
we aimed to compare LPTs against each other. Twenty-five resistance-trained males were
recruited, and reported to the laboratory for one day of data collection. Subjects
performed one-repetition maximum (1 RM) testing of the squat, then had a standardized
rest before completing one set to failure with 70% 1 RM. There was no significant
difference in average velocity (AV) between either LPT vs. OC3D. T-tests revealed
significant differences between LPTs and OC3D peak velocity (PV) (OBS: p=0.02080;
TWAS: p<0.01). A significant difference was detected between OBS and TWAS PV
(p<0.01). OBS and TWAS demonstrated concurrent validity compared to OC3D for AV
(OBS: p=0.2014; TWAS: p=0.5466). Neither LPT was a valid measure ofPV (OBS:
p=0.0208; TWAS: p<0.01).

The purpose of this study was to determine if maximal aerobic exercise promotes
BDNF expression in obese individuals. Plasma levels and the expression of BDNF in
PBMCs were examined. 22 participants (10 obese, 12 non-obese) completed a V02max
treadmill test and blood was obtained pre, post, and 1 and 2 hours into exercise recovery.
Plasma and PBMCs were isolated and analyzed for BDNF via ELISA and Western blot
techniques. A significant effect for time was observed for plasma BDNF (P= <0.00 1 ).
Additionally, A significant group-by-time interaction was found from pre-to-RIH for
BDNF expression in PBMCs (P= 0.046). Further, significant correlations were found
between BMI and waist circumference (r= .91, P< 0.001), WHR (r= .51, P= 0.002) and
Pre-to-RlH ratio (r=0.58, P=0.008). Young obese subject's BDNF response to maximal
exercise was consistent with previous studies. Post-exercise BDNF expressed in PBMCs
were significantly higher than rest suggesting immunological-neuroprotective
interactions in the CNS.