PHD, Kent State University, 2018, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Health Sciences

The purpose of this study is to determine if tissue oxygenation is compromised at altitude during submaximal and maximal bouts of exercise and whether reducing the active muscle mass exercise can be used to offset any observed decrement due to increases in blood flow. Ten individuals performed submaximal double leg cycling for four minutes at 50%, 60%, 70%, and 80% of their maximal oxygen consumption, rested for 15 minutes and then performed submaximal single leg cycling utilizing the same protocol but at half the double leg work rate in both normoxic and hypoxic conditions (oxygen concentration of 15% which simulated an altitude of 2,740 meters). Ten individuals performed a maximal double leg 30 second anaerobic Wingate test, rested for 15 minutes and then performed a maximal single leg 30 second anaerobic Wingate test in normoxic and hypoxic conditions. In the first study, no difference was found in the amount of oxygenated hemoglobin when comparing the single leg trial in hypoxia to the double leg trials in normoxia (p = 0.36) and hypoxia (p = 0.13). In the second study, both single leg trials had increased amounts of oxygenated hemoglobin compared the two double leg trials although these amounts are not significant (p = 0.47). In general, we found that increased blood flow leads to an increase in tissue perfusion with single leg cycling which could allow for greater muscle specific work rates when compared to double leg cycling and can be accomplished with reduced cardiovascular stress.

Committee: John McDaniel Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Ellen Glickman Ph.D. (Committee Member); J. Derek Kingsley Ph.D. (Committee Member); Andrew Lepp Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Health Sciences; Physiology

Master of Science in Exercise and Health Studies, Miami University, 2019, Exercise and Health Studies

There is overwhelming support regarding increases in cognitive performance (CP) as a result of acute moderate aerobic exercise (MI). However research regarding the effects of high intensity interval exercise (HII) on CP is limited. PURPOSE: Assess the extent a single bout of aerobic HII has on indices of CP in comparison to the widely accepted effects of MI while controlling for the volume of the acute exercise bouts. Our secondary purpose is to determine if RPE of the exercise bouts is a significant covariate on CP. METHODS: 12 highly fit, highly trained varsity athletes volunteered. Day 1: Baseline cognition (ImPACT), body composition (InBody), and VO2max were assessed. Day 2/3: Participants completed either 30min moderate-intensity treadmill running (60% VO2-Reserve) or 4.5 HII of 3min (90% VO2-Reserve) with 2min (40% VO2-Reserve). ImPACT was administered before and after exercise. Order of interventions was counterbalanced and randomized. At least 48h separated day-1 and day-2, day-2 and day-3 were separated by at least 1 week. RESULTS: Similar significant increases in CP indices were found after both MI and HII including a time x intensity interaction for visual memory. CONCLUSION: CP increases after acute MI and HII exercise in hi-fit hi-trained athletes.

Committee: Randal Claytor PhD (Advisor); Ronald Cox PhD (Committee Member); Mark Walsh PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Kinesiology