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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

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 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

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. MALS

FKW // Zeitschrift für Geschlechterforschung und visuelle Kultur, No. 71 (2022): WITCHY WITS*** MIT SITUIERTEN SINNEN UND WIDERSPENSTIGEN WISSEN

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). MALS

Great teachers are continually introducing strategies to engage students, especially those who teach large-lecture classes, whose format can limit active learning and student motivation to engage in learning. Implementation of active teaching strategies must be assessed for effectiveness. Using the simple MUSIC model postcourse assessment survey, student motivation to engage in learning was statistically quantified. A simple short intervention of in-class group work led to significant areas of improvement, which included the students’ perception of the class’ Usefulness towards their future career (p

https://chep.teaching.vt.edu/

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is rising up the climate-policy agenda. Four principles for thinking about its role in climate policy can help ensure that CDR supports the kind of robust, abatement-focused long-term climate strategy that is essential to fair and effective implementation.