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Individuals attending physical therapy are given a home exercise program (HEP) to perform at home in between clinic visits. Attending clinic visits and complying with the HEP leads to optimal health outcomes, which demonstrates the importance of adherence to these programs. HEP adherence can be affected by the administration and content of the HEP, along with tracking of adherence by the physical therapist as well as environmental, physical, and psychological factors. The aim of this analytical paper is to determine the best methods for physical therapists to practice in order to increase patient compliance with their home exercise program.
Faculty Sponsor: Brandi Row Lazzarini
Discipline: Exercise & Health Science
This paper explores overtraining syndrome (OTS), clarifying its complexities and applying reputable parameters to protect the athlete’s overall health. OTS is a complex phenomenon causing long-term detriments in physical performance, with difficulty in diagnosing and treating the disorder. A pivotal review established profiles with multiple parameters including depression symptoms that offer a holistic approach to assess the athlete’s risk. Emerging neuroscience draws parallels between OTS and major depressive disorder. Coaches and health professionals must recognize the importance of balancing training with recovery as well as monitoring athletes holistically to mitigate the risk of OTS and decline of mental health.
Faculty Sponsor: Brandi Row Lazzarini
Discipline: Exercise & Health Science
Driving under the influences continues to pose a threat to public safety on a global scale. Despite law enforcement, public campaigns, and a high rate of alcohol related crash reports, the prevalence of alcohol impaired driving continues to grow annually. Epidemiological studies have indicated that a substantial portion of fatal alcohol-related crashes involves drivers with a BAC level below the legal limit. Jurisdictions that have adapted a lower BAC limit has shown promising long-term effects to safer driving behaviors. Furthermore, comparative analyses across regions with a lower DUI limit, provide compelling evidence supporting the efficacy of stricter regulations in deterring alcohol-related driving.
Faculty Sponsor: Michael Lockard
Discipline: Exercise & Health Science
Traditional therapies to treat musculoskeletal pain generally consist of self-care, physical therapy, and temporary pain relieving medication. Cupping therapy, as an alternative treatment option has gained popularity. However, the underlying mechanisms by which cupping therapy affects musculoskeletal pain is unknown and only theorized. Furthermore, the research literature on cupping therapy presents conflicting evidence, creating uncertainties regarding its effectiveness in treating musculoskeletal pain. The objective of this analytical paper is to critically review the literature for and against cupping as a remedy and determine its overall effectiveness on relieving musculoskeletal pain.
Faculty Sponsor: Brandi Row Lazzarini
Discipline: Exercise & Health Science
Musculoskeletal shoulder pain is typically treated using self-care remedies, rehabilitative exercises, and anti-inflammatory medications. Trigger point dry needling is an alternative treatment modality that has recently gained popularity. This analysis aims to look into the effectiveness of dry needling in various causes of musculoskeletal shoulder pain, with a specific focus on the role and impact of trigger points. By examining both quantitative and qualitative outcomes, the purpose of this analysis is to determine whether dry needling is as effective as other treatment options and shed light on potential applications for addressing shoulder pain related to trigger points.
Faculty Sponsor: Brandi Row Lazzarini
Discipline: Exercise & Health Science
This review comprises a literary analysis to determine which method(s) are superior for improving linear sprint performance in American football players who play a skill position. The training methods analyzed were primary methods (sprinting, technique work), secondary methods (sled/hill sprints), non-specific methods (plyos, resistance training), and combined training methods. The analysis indicates no singular method is superior at improving sprint performance as a whole; rather each method displays specific improvements to different “Phases” of a sprint, which are broken down into the initial acceleration, secondary acceleration, and max velocity phases.
Faculty Sponsor: Michael Lockard
Discipline: Exercise & Health Science
PAES is complicated to diagnose and treat, and requires extensive testing and imaging to obtain a proper diagnosis. Patients often endure unsuccessful interventions due to the intricacies of the condition as well as its similar presentation and symptoms to other conditions. This analysis compares surgery and Botox injections, examining success rates, recovery time, and symptom recurrence to conclude which method is ideal for individuals with PAES. Botox injections have shown the most success in those with functional PAES, and surgery has been the most effective in those with anatomical PAES.
Faculty Sponsor: Michael Lockard
Discipline: Exercise & Health Science
An epidemic of loneliness has spread throughout the United States. Since even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been trends of increased separation and decreased size in social networks in American adults. Loneliness has profound negative impacts on both mental and physical health with evidence showing that young adults are most susceptible to it.
The purpose of this project is to increase awareness of the negative impacts of loneliness, why graduating seniors are more at risk, and to present possible solutions to those leaving a fostered community and beginning a life of independence.
Faculty Sponsor: Brandi Row Lazzarini
Discipline: Exercise & Health Science
Feelings of anxiety are prevalent among elite-level athletes, particularly in the form of competitive anxiety (CA). CA can be defined as a negative emotional response to competition stressors which can manifest prior to and or during athletic performance (Mojtahedi et al., 2023). If left unaddressed, CA has the potential to drastically hinder performance. In response to this challenge, our project introduces a coaching toolkit designed to mitigate competitive anxiety and ultimately, optimize athletic performance. Backed by evidence-based research, this toolkit aims to provide coaches with a new means of addressing CA symptoms in their athletes.
Faculty Sponsor: Stasinos Stavrianeas
Discipline: Exercise & Health Science
Female reproduction is governed by consistent hormonal cycling and is frequently associated with several adverse symptoms that affect women’s daily activities and well-being. As of 2019, 219 million women worldwide are using pharmaceutical contraceptives to combat these symptoms, with a projected increase of 70 million by 2030. Although alternative methods with similar efficacy and limited side effects are available, physicians still opt for pharmaceutical intervention. This paper analyzes the factors that lead to the preferential prescription rate of pharmaceutical intervention despite the availability of non-invasive methods as part of a holistic approach to medicine.
Faculty Sponsor: Stasinos Stavrianeas
Discipline: Exercise & Health Science
Major depressive disorder is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders worldwide. Up to 30% of patients are unresponsive to conventional antidepressants, worsening their condition. Novel treatments with similar efficacy and safety are urgently needed. Somatic therapies, meaning non-traditional and new, offer promise for treatment-resistant depression. This paper assesses ketamine, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and psilocybin. Comparing each of these therapies to the effectiveness of traditional treatments and evaluating the cost-benefit of each one for patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Faculty Sponsor: Michael Lockard
Discipline: Exercise & Health Science
Around half of recreational runners suffer an injury yearly, which increases the risk of recurrent injuries. Runners may subconsciously adopt faulty running mechanics to avoid discomfort while running. To find relief from pain, many runners turn to physical therapists where clinicians can identify any faulty running mechanics that may be the cause of injury. A novel intervention is gait retraining which involves altering part of the movement pattern. The more commonly used intervention in clinics is neuromuscular re-education which involves exercises that restrengthen the neuromuscular connection. The analysis of which intervention is most effective in preventing injuries will be discussed.
Faculty Sponsor: Brandi Row Lazzarini
Discipline: Exercise & Health Science
Collegiate athletes often improperly fuel their body causing them to perform at a lesser physical capacity while also deteriorating their mental health. Compared to their peers who are students only, student athletes endure extra stress on their body and minds requiring a different amount of fuel. A registered dietician/nutritionist has the needed knowledge of nutrition and behaviors in athletes to help them navigate their student athlete life. This paper is written to provide research-based evidence on the importance of nutrition in collegiate athletes and help guide universities to implement resources to help athletes receive the support they need.
Faculty Sponsor: Stasinos Stavrianeas
Discipline: Exercise & Health Science
Female anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are a critical concern in the sports world due to the high incidence rates, especially when comparing to male counterparts. Studies indicate that females face an eightfold higher risk. The purpose of this project is to identify variables that contribute to ACL injuries in female athletes to provide accurate information for the potential development of prevention strategies. Exploring common risk factors and mechanisms of injury are key to bridging the gap between research and application to continue to build a constructive environment to educate on and prevent ACL injuries in female athletes.
Faculty Sponsor: Michael Lockard
Discipline: Exercise & Health Science
Maternal health care refers to the prenatal and postpartum medical care received by a woman and her child in order to ensure appropriate fetal development, assess potential complications to provide interventions, and develop a birth plan. In the United States, maternity care deserts are counties in which accessibility to maternal care is limited due to a lack of obstetric care providers. Incorporating non-traditional health care systems, such as telemedicine and community based practices, in maternity care deserts can improve access to quality maternal care by providing necessary resources for the health of expecting mothers and their children.
Faculty Sponsor: Brandi Row Lazzarini
Discipline: Exercise & Health Science
Food allergens restrict people's dietary options and limits their ability to enjoy social settings. This community outreach project aims to address this issue by establishing an allergen-friendly snack bar which avoids the nine major allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, egg, soybeans, milk, sesame, shellfish, and fish). This project involves research into common food allergens and their substitutes, ensuring that the snack bar is free from ingredients known to trigger allergic reactions. This project hopes to collaborate with Willamette University’s coffee shop, the Bistro, to offer students with allergic reactions a safe food option to consume with no worries.
Faculty Sponsor: Stasinos Stavrianeas
Discipline: Exercise & Health Science
This study investigates whether a single session of WBV reduces symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Twenty-two participants were randomly assigned to receive either WBV therapy or a placebo treatment; one week after their first session, subjects switched treatment conditions. Tactile sensitivity, vibration sensitivity, and pain levels were measured before, immediately after, and 30 minutes after each session. Participants additionally logged their pain levels for one week after each session. The results of this study will be revealed, and the conclusion of acute effects of whole body vibration therapy on adults with type two diabetes will be discussed.
Faculty Sponsor: Michael Lockard
Discipline: Exercise & Health Science
Willamette University currently has no resource center or club/group for veterans to find assistance and resources while attending the University. Without these resources veteran students have a higher likelihood of quitting college to take care of family and/or find work to help them survive outside of college which often impacts college performance. This club will be created to assist veterans and their families in dealing with issues that arise both at Willamette University and outside of college. The resources collected and disbursed to club members gives them a way to find balance between college life and being a civilian.
Faculty Sponsor: Michael Lockard
Discipline: Exercise & Health Science