2020 Theses and Dissertations
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11274/13270
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Browsing 2020 Theses and Dissertations by Author "Ben-Ezra, Victor"
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Item Effects of a bout of exercise using multiple intensities on serum lipids and lipoproteins(1/7/2020) Murray, Christopher Lane; Ben-Ezra, VictorThis study investigated the effects of a 400 kcal continuous exercise session using high then moderate exercise intensities on serum lipids and lipoproteins. The variables TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C concentration were investigated in healthy young adults. Ten participants completed the exercise and control trials. The exercise session consisted of continuous exercise at a high-intensity (70% of VO2max) for 200 kcals followed immediately by moderate-intensity (50% of VO2max) exercise for another 200 kcals. Blood samples were taken immediately before exercise and 24 hr post exercise for biochemical analysis. Two-Way ANOVA revealed no significant effect of exercise and time for TC (p = .762), TG (p = .686), HDL-C (p = .403), and LDL-C (p = .863). It was concluded that a bout of exercise using high and moderate intensities has the same effect of exercise done at either intensity alone and provided no additional benefits on serum lipids and lipoproteins.Item Exploring wellness programming awareness, usage, and perceived leadership support among community college employees(11/20/2020) Swan, Toni A.; Ben-Ezra, VictorUnhealthy behaviors that many U.S. workers have adopted, such as physical inactivity, poor diet, and stressful lifestyles, have increased health risks and diminished quality of life. With over 140 million employed people spending close to a quarter of their waking lives at work, the workplace is an opportune setting to support employees and provide avenues for healthier lifestyle choices. However, higher-education, specifically at the community college (CC) level, has seen slow growth of health and wellness programming (HWP). The purpose of this study was two-fold: (1) examine community college employees’ awareness, usage, and perceptions of leadership support for HWP, and (2) to explore potential differences across leadership levels, employment roles, and campuses within a college system. Participants in the study (n = 621) completed an employee wellness survey. Results indicated that there was a moderate positive correlation between CC employee awareness and usage (r = 0.62, p < .01), and a weak positive correlation between CC employee awareness and perceptions of leadership support (r = 0.18, p < .01). Results from an ANOVA indicated a statistically significant difference in employee perceptions of leadership support for HWP across three levels of leadership F(2, 1860) = 57.84, p < .001, η2 = 0.06 . Employees felt most supported by their direct supervisor (M = 3.94), followed by their campus administration (M = 3.59), followed by their district administration (M = 3.31). Results also indicated that mean perceptions of leadership support differed significantly across campuses (F(5, 615) = 2.86, p = .015, η2 = .023). Lastly, results indicated that awareness (F(2, 616) = 47.6, p < .001, η2 = .134) and usage of HWP (F(2, 578) = 46.03, p < .001, η2 = .14) different significantly between employment roles. Specifically, faculty awareness (M = 1.96, SD =0.58) differed significantly less from staff (M = 2.33, SD = 0.47) and administration awareness (M = 2.45, SD = 0.35), and also that faculty usage of HWP (M = 0.19, SD = 0.21) differed significantly less from staff (M = 0.35, SD = 0.24) and administration usage of HWP (M = 0.40, SD = 0.22).Item The effect of whey protein isolate supplementation on cortisol awakening response, profile of mood states, and heart rate variability in recreationally active women(5/28/2020) Oldham, Michael Dean; Ben-Ezra, VictorThe hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a major role during stress responses and is associated with the secretion of cortisol. Serum cortisol concentration peaks between 30 and 45 min after awakening, and is known as the cortisol awakening response (CAR). Decreases in heart rate variability (HRV), disruptions in CAR, and changes in Profile of Mood States (POMS), typified by disturbances in HPA activity, have been associated with fatigue due to repetitive strenuous physical exercise. Branched chain amino acids (BCAA), present in whey protein, compete for tryptophan transporters in the brain, potentially reducing fatigue associated with exercise, potentially affecting CAR, POMS, HRV, and fatigue index (FI). PURPOSE: To determine the effects of whey protein isolate supplementation on CAR, POMS, and HRV after strenuous exercise, in recreationally active women, on post-exercise days. METHODS: Eleven recreationally active women (19 ± 2 yrs; VO2peak = 31.6 ± 4.5 ml/kg/min) completed a double blinded, randomized, cross-over placebo trial, with a 7 day washout between trials. A supplement regimen (25 g of maltodextrin (PL) or 25 g of maltodextrin plus 25 g of whey protein isolate (WH)) on Day 1, 2, and 3 was used for each trial. Participants ingested supplements between 8am - 9am (Day 1, 2, 3) and 30 min prior to exercise (Day 2 & 3). On Day 2 and 3 of each trial participants walked for 30min on a treadmill at 70-75% VO2peak (21.7 ± 0.1 ml/kg/min), rested 5 min, and completed a 30 s Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT). Saliva (2ml) was collected on days 1-4 of PL and WH between 6am and 8am immediately upon waking and every 15 min for the next hour. Saliva samples were analyzed for cortisol concentration using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the area under the curve (AUCg) was calculated for cortisol. HRV and POMS were recorded between 15 - 30 min and 30 - 45 min after waking, respectively. Repeated measures ANOVA (2 trial x 4 days) were used to determine significant differences (p < .05) in cortisol AUCg, POMS, and HRV. A repeated measures ANOVA (2 trial x 2 day) was used to determine significant differences (p < .05) in WAnT fatigue index (FI). Pearson correlation and multiple regression models were implemented to determine associations between CAR, POMS, and HRV to FI. RESULTS: Main effect means for cortisol AUCg were significantly different (p = 0.033) between PL (33.4 ± 2.0 µg*hr/dL) and WH (30.9 ± 0.8 µg*hr/dL). There were no significant main effect differences in POMS or HRV by day or condition. No significant difference in WAnT fatigue index means occurred between PL (20.79 ± 6.12% Day 2 & 21.97 ± 6.16% Day 3) and WH trials (22.52 ± 6.45% Day 2 & 22.78 ± 6.38% Day 3). The only significant Pearson correlation existed on Day 3 during the PL trial, between POMS and FI (r = -.582, p = 0.030). All other correlations were not statistically significant. Additionally, neither CAR, POMS, nor HRV was able to predict FI through multiple regression equations (all p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Whey protein isolate may decrease CAR on post-exercise days, but may have no effect on POMS, HRV, or FI, in recreationally active women. As indicated by a decrease in CAR, results demonstrate a possible reduction in central fatigue associated with strenuous exercise. However with no effect on the short-duration sprint cycling performance, the physiological effect of the reduction in central fatigue may be minimal.