Undergraduate Research

The effect of caffeine on anaerobic performance: a preliminary study
Steven R.Cherekos, Jonathan M. Engholm, Marie Boo, Anthony Bozzo
Exercise Science and Sports Studies
Poster presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the National College of Sports Medicine in San Francisco, CA.
Poster presented at the 2012 Scholarship and Creativity Day at the College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, MN.

The ergogenic effects of caffeine on endurance exercise have been well documented; however, the effects of caffeine on maximal anaerobic exercise are not as well researched. PURPOSE: To determine the effects of caffeine ingestion on anaerobic run test performance in college aged male and female club-sport athletes. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind study was conducted on 4 healthy, active women and 4 healthy, active men (n=8). Subjects performed a maximal anaerobic run test (treadmill set at 7 mph at a 20% grade) 60 minutes after ingestion of 6 oz. sugar-free lemonade (placebo) or 6 oz. sugar-free lemonade with caffeine (5 mg/kg body mass). Heart rate, run time, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded immediately at the end of the test. A series of 2x2 repeated measures ANOVAs were used to identify the influence of treatment and gender on time, work, power, and RPE. RESULTS: No significant interaction was found between gender and treatment for run time with caffeine (Females (F): 40.25 ± 6.4 s, Males (M): 57.3 ± 6.4 s p > .05) and without caffeine (F: 34.0 ± 5.8 s, M: 61.8 ± 5.8 s, p > .05).Three of the four females increased performance during the caffeine trial by an average of 8.7 ± 8.96 s, while three of the four males decreased performance during the caffeine trial by an average of 7.3 ± 5.13 s. No significant differences (p >.05) were found for RPE, power, or work between trial and gender. CONCLUSIONS: Ingestion of 5 mg/kg body mass of caffeine 60 min prior to exercise may narrow the gender differences in time to exhaustion (TTE) during maximal anaerobic exercise.

Correlation of diagonal bounding and vertical jump with on-ice acceleration in female collegiate hockey players
Dillon S Altonen, Sam L Kieser
Exercise Science and Sport Studies
Awarded 3rd place in the Undergraduate Research category at the Spring 2012 ACSM Northland Chapter Spring Tutorial at St. Catherine University, St. Pail, MN.
Poster presented at the 2012 Scholarship and Creativity Day at the College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, MN.

Vertical jump is a test that is often used to predict on-ice acceleration in hockey players. However, because diagonal bounding more closely resembles the movement pattern associated with hockey skating, it is hypothesized that diagonal bounding time may be more strongly correlated to on-ice acceleration. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between on-ice sprint times, dry-land diagonal bounding times, and countermovement jump height. Seventeen Division III female hockey players participated in the study. Participants performed three on-ice 6.1 meter sprint trials and three dry-land 6.1 meter diagonal bounding trials, each measured with a Brower electronic timing system. The best time for each athlete from each set of trials was used in this study. Participants perform multiple trials of the countermovement vertical jump test until they failed to improve their jump height on two consecutive trials. The maximum vertical jump height, measured in inches using a Vertec device, was used in this study. The mean on-ice sprint time, diagonal bounding time, and vertical jump height were 1.47 s (±0.09s), 1.97 s (±0.29 s), 42.49 cm (±4.93 cm), respectively. A Pearson correlation revealed an insignificant positive correlation between vertical jump height and on-ice acceleration time (r = .139, p > .05) and an insignificant negative correlation between diagonal bounding time and on-ice acceleration time (r = -.224, p > .05). The results suggest that vertical jump height and diagonal bounding time are poor predictors of on-ice acceleration for Division III female hockey players. 

Do division III cross country runners experience the intended coach prescribed training impulse (TRIMP)?
Mitchell A Hagen, Colleen E Bouchard, Jacquelyn M Donahue
Exercise Science and Sport Studies
Awarded 4th place in the Undergraduate Research category at the Spring 2012 ACSM Northland Chapter Spring Tutorial at St. Catherine University, St. Pail, MN.
Poster presented at the 2012 Scholarship and Creativity Day at the College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, MN.

Cross country coaches create training plans to induce desired adaptations. However, research suggests athletes do not consistently train as the coach prescribed. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between coach intended (CI), athlete-perceived (AP) and physiological (P) training impulses (TRIMP) during recovery (R), slow long distance (SLD), tempo (T) and interval (I) training performed by 14 Division III female cross country runners. A TRIMP weighting scale was created for each athlete based on her blood lactate curve. Heart rate data were collected using Polar Team System heart rate monitors during a two week in season period. The P TRIMPs were calculated by multiplying time spent in each heart rate zone by the assigned weighting factor. The CI TRIMPs for each practice session were calculated using the prescribed running intensity based on intended rate of perceived exertion (RPE) multiplied by duration. The AP TRIMPs were calculated using session RPE multiplied by duration. One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences in the mean TRIMPs for R [(F (2,204) = 3.359, p = .037)], T [(F (2, 75) = 19.034; p < .001)], and I [(F (2, 55) = 4.161, p = .021)] training, but not for SLD training [(F (2, 60) = 1.089, p = .343)]. Post-hoc testing revealed a significant difference (p = .019) in the mean CI (M = 52.52, SD = 29.73) and P (M = 65.80, SD = 32.50) TRIMPs during R training. Also, significant differences (p < .001; p = .006) in the mean CI (M = 109.87, SD = 26.54; M = 72.17, SD = 38.16) and AP (M = 6.77, SD = 30.37; M = 41.93, SD = 26.21) TRIMPs were found during T and I training, respectively. These results suggest participants trained at intensities higher than coach prescribed during R training. During T and I training, athletes ran at the coach indicated intensity, but perceived themselves to be training at a lower intensity. The results indicate a need to more closely monitor intensity during R training to ensure proper recovery. 

Use of rate of perceived exertion measured during progressive treadmill testing
Alex M Hanson
Exercise Science and Sport Studies
Poster presented in the Undergraduate Research category at the Spring 2012 ACSM Northland Chapter Spring Tutorial at St. Catherine University, St. Pail, MN.
Poster presented at the 2012 Scholarship and Creativity Day at the College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, MN.

Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) is a method used by coaches to prescribe exercise intensity. RPE is intended to correspond to a target heart rate (HR) range for the athlete. Often the HR/RPE relationship is determined using a progressive treadmill test. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the athletes' reported session RPE and the momentary RPE during a progressive treadmill test. Fourteen Division III female cross country runners performed a progressive treadmill test at the beginning of the season. At two-minute intervals, heart rate and momentary RPE were recorded. During a two week period, participants wore Polar Team System HR monitors for recovery, long slow distance, tempo, and interval cross-country practices and reported session RPE at the end of each practice. The average HR for each practice was calculated and compared to the treadmill HR/RPE curve, which allowed us to compare the session RPE and momentary treadmill RPE at the corresponding HRs. A Pearson Correlation revealed a positive relationship between session RPE and treadmill RPE during recovery (r = .385) and long slow distance (r = .156) running. Negative correlations were observed for the more intense tempo (r = -.124) and interval (r = -.226) training. An RPE scale based on a shorter-duration progressive treadmill test is not a highly effective method for prescribing running intensity. Future research should investigate the reliability of HR/RPE scales that are based on progressive tests of comparable duration and environmental conditions as those of the subsequent exercise sessions.

Relationship between Rate of Perceived Exertion and Blood Lactate Concentration in Female Cross Country Runners
Anna E Krieger
Exercise Science and Sport Studies
Poster presented in the Undergraduate Research category at the Spring 2012 ACSM Northland Chapter Spring Tutorial at St. Catherine University, St. Pail, MN.
Poster presented at the 2012 Scholarship and Creativity Day at the College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, MN.

 Previous studies have found a strong correlation between the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and blood lactate levels. However, the strength of this relationship has been shown to depend on the population. The purpose of this study was to examine how closely the RPE corresponds to blood lactate concentration in Division III female cross country runners during a progressive treadmill test. Fourteen Division III female cross country runners participated in this investigation. All participants finished in the top half of a 2.5 mile time trial at the beginning of the season. Each performed a progressive treadmill test to assess blood lactate levels and RPE, with blood sampling every two minutes. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a significant, positive correlation between RPE and blood lactate levels [r(157) = .849, p < .001]. The strength of the relationship between RPE and blood lactate concentration in female cross country runners is stronger than that found in other active populations, such as soccer players. The results provide additional evidence that blood lactate concentration may be a physiological mediator for perception of exertion during dynamic exercise and may serve as a stronger mediator for female cross country runners compared to other active populations. 

Calculating training impulse: A comparison of three methods
Dustin M Schlangen, Jon H Schoenecker
Exercise Science and Sport Studies
Poster presented in the Undergraduate Research category at the Spring 2012 ACSM Northland Chapter Spring Tutorial at St. Catherine University, St. Pail, MN.
Poster presented at the 2012 Scholarship and Creativity Day at the College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, MN.

Training impulse (TRIMP) is the product of exercise intensity and duration and is a method used to quantify training load. Several methods of calculating TRIMPs have been proposed, but no comparison of the results of the various methods have been reported. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the strength of the relationship between the TRIMPs calculated by two methods reported in the literature and a novel method created for this study. Fourteen Division III female cross country runners participated in this study. All participants completed a progressive treadmill test with concurrent heart rate and RPE monitoring, and blood lactate testing every two minutes. Heart rate and blood lactate data were used to create a unique non-linear TRIMPs weighting scale for each athlete. For two consecutive weeks, heart rate data were collected using Polar Team System heart rate monitors during all coach prescribed running, including recovery (R); slow, long distance (SLD); tempo (T); and Interval (I) running. The TRIMP for each athlete during each training session was calculated using the three different calculation methods. Pearson bivariate correlations revealed a significant positive relationship (p < .001) between the TRIMPs associated with each of the calculation methods during R (r ranged from .727 to .844), SLD (r ranged from .706 to .855) and I (r ranged from .617 to .844) practice sessions. Tempo runs produced the greatest range in correlations (r ranged from.232 to .814). The results indicate strong positive relationships between the TRIMPs calculate by the three methods when the majority of the practice session heart rate data were below lactate threshold. However, when heart rates were near or above lactate threshold for the majority of the practice, the correlations between the methods were not as strong. The results of this study suggest that the three methods of calculating TRIMPs are not equivalent. Therefore coaches need to become aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Future research should look to establish the most valid method of calculating TRIMPs across a spectrum of training intensities. 

Optimal angle of knee flexion for maximal vertical jump in division III collegiate athletes
Jon Schoenecker, John Cicchese
Exercise Science and Sport Studies
Awarded 5th place in the Undergraduate Research category at the Spring 2011 ACSM Northland Chapter Spring Tutorial at St. Catherine University, St. Pail, MN.
Poster presented at the 2012 Scholarship and Creativity Day at the College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, MN. 

Vertical jump is often used as a measure of lower body power. However, the validity of vertical jump test results may be affected by the athlete's jump technique, including knee flexion take-off angle. The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of three countermovement knee flexion take-off angles on vertical jump height. Twelve Division III male collegiate football players volunteered to participate in this study (18-22 years old). Participants performed three countermovement vertical jumps for each of the three trials: knee flexion take-off angle at 50, 80, and 110 degrees). Vertical jump height was measured to the nearest tenth of an inch with a Just Jump contact mat and converted to centimeters. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant effect of knee flexion angle [F(2, 22) = 25.268, p ≤ 0.001]. A pairwise comparison revealed significant greater jump height when the knee flexion take-off angle was 80 degrees (67.417 ± 1.730 cm; p ≤ .001) and 110 degrees (68.791 ± 1.755 cm; p ≤ .001) compared to 50 degrees (61.595 ± 1.369 cm). No significance in vertical jump height was found between the 80 and 110 degree knee flexion take-off angle trials (p = .412). Therefore, a knee flexion take-off angle between 80 and 110 degrees appears to be advantageous in maximizing vertical jump height.

Anaerobic Performance in the absorptive and fasted states
Jon H Schoenecker, Luke A Weyrauch, Hannah M Von Arb, Alyssa M Virnig, Kaitlin M Stephens
Exercise Science and Sport Studies
Poster presented at the 2012 Scholarship and Creativity Day at the College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, MN.

The aim of this experiment is to compare the effects of being fed or fasted on high-intensity treadmill exercise. Participants of the study will complete two trials of high-intensity treadmill running to exhaustion, once after consuming a standardized meal, and once after fasting for at least eight hours. Measurements include time to exhaustion, blood lactate and blood glucose before and after exercise, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and heart rate. We expect to find shorter time to exhaustion, lower blood lactate, and higher RPE in the fasted trial. We also expect to find no differences in blood glucose and heart rate between the fed and fasted trials. 

Effects of cold water immersion on competitive female dancers during 3 days of unaccustomed training
Jessica R Woelfel, Katie J Schwab, Jacob L Helmer, Andrea M Tobias
Exercise Science and Sport Study
Poster presented in the Undergraduate Research category at the Spring 2012 ACSM Northland Chapter Spring Tutorial at St. Catherine University, St. Pail, MN.
Poster presented at the 2012 Scholarship and Creativity Day at the College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, MN.

 Athletes training multiple times per day require fast, effective recovery methods. Cold water immersion (CWI) is commonly used by athletes to speed recovery and attenuate muscle soreness, edema, and inflammation in order to maintain performance during subsequent exercise bouts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of post-exercise CWI during three days of unaccustomed intense training, on fatigue, perceived muscle soreness (PMS), flexibility, thigh circumference, vertical jump, agility, and anaerobic capacity in competitive female dancers. Twelve untrained female dancers (18-22 years old) completed three light to intense pre-season exercise sessions per day for three consecutive days. Morning workouts consisted of two hours of moderate to high intensity training, followed by either CWI (10 min at 10 C, N=7) of the lower body covering the hips and legs or no treatment (N=5). Subjects completed three hours of moderate intensity dance in the afternoons, and one to two hours of easy dance in the evening. Rectus femoris, hamstring, and gastrocnemius flexibility, thigh circumference in three areas, vertical jump, and PMS were measured before the morning session, before treatment, and after the afternoon session. Agility and anaerobic capacity tests were performed prior to the morning workouts on the first and fourth training days. No significant differences (p> 0.05) were observed between groups over time in flexibility, vertical jump, agility, anaerobic capacity, fatigue, or PMS. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in mid-thigh circumference over time, specifically during day 2 of training. A non-significant trend (p> 0.05) towards smaller mid-thigh circumference over time in the CWI group was also observed. A trend towards increased gastrocnemius flexibility from baseline to 72 hr post was observed in the CWI treatment (BL: 12.40 + 1.90 degrees; 72 hr post: 13.20 + 2.61 degrees, p > 0.05, d =0.35), while a decrease in flexibility was observed in the control treatment (BL: 15.57 + 1.61 degrees, 72 hr post: 13.14 + 2.21 degrees, p > 0.05, d =1.26). CWI, did not enhance subsequent performance or recovery or attenuate perceived muscle soreness over 3 days in untrained competitive female dancers. Effect size indicates that the results may be limited by the small sample size in each group.

Performance and fatigue during exercise with a partner
Jacquelyn M Donohue, Kelly M Fladebo, Sean P Dykhoff
Physical Education

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in performance or fatigue in performing exercise alone or with a partner. Motivation is an important factor in a person's decision to perform exercise, thus, it is important to understand what motivates people to perform exercise so that exercise performance and adherence is increased. One factor that is important and provides significant motivation to people is performing exercise with a partner. Performing exercise with a partner may increase performance and make a person feel less fatigued than they would if they were exercising alone. To test this, subjects performed a one mile run test, a 1 minute push up test, and a 1 minute sit up test by themselves. They were then paired up with a partner of similar fitness and performed the tests again to examine changes in performance and perceived exertion.

A comparison of lactate threshold amongst fit male and female populations
Brett Kramer, Josh Huot, Nicholas Roscoe
Physical Education

Lactate threshold is a good predictor of physical endurance performance, especially in young populations. In addition, lactate levels have been found to respond to a variety of training methods. Differences between genders including: fat free mass, body fat percentage, usage and content of glycogen, and VO2 max may influence lactate threshold in men and women. Due to the physiological differences between males and females, we hypothesized that fit, college aged males will have significantly higher lactate thresholds than their female counterparts. Fit subjects were categorized at or above the 70th percentile for age and gender for a 1.5 mile run test as determined by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Following qualification for the study, subjects completed a lactate threshold test using the modified Astrand treadmill protocol.

How do heart rate and blood lactate levels in physically active individuals compare in maximal effort upper extremity versus lower extremity ergometer exercise? 
Nick Kohler and Callie Harpischer
 Exercise Studies and Sport Science

Aerobic capacity of division III femal soccer players
Aaron Hellem and Marie Boo 
Exercise Studies and Sport Science

Do gender differences in maximum oxygen consumption exist when normalized by lean body mass in trained college individuals?
Abby Kephart and Emily Willaert
Exercise Studies and Sport Science

Acute effect of V-force vibration on "Sit and Reach" flexibility compared to static stretching in college males
Chase Endres and Mike Stiller
Exercise Studies and Sport Science

What is the effect of using the V-force total body vibration machine on the vertical jump height of CSB volleyball players
Emily Reinhert
Exercise Studies and Sport Science

What is the difference in blood lactate between female 200m and 800m runners after completing their respective races?
Mike Powers and Abby Neigebauer 
Exercise Studies and Sport Science

Does the last weeks of the CSB hockey team's pre-season interval training program replicate the energetic demands of intercollegiate women's ice hockey game and/or practice?
Mark Isaacson
Exercise Studies and Sport Science

What are the effects of using the V-force whole body vibration machine on the vertical jump of female college students?
Kristen Herges and Tommy Purnell
Exercise Studies and Sport Science

Caffeine increases maximal oxygen consumption in female college-aged recreational athletes.
Ashley Davenport and Laurie Verant 
Biology and Nutrition

Caffeine is used by athletes to enhance performance. Most research on caffeine uses time to exhaustion tests in male athletes. We examined the effects of caffeine in female athletes by using a maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂ max) test. Average VO₂ max increased 4.8 percent, runtime increased 4.7 percent, but maximal heart rate did not change with caffeine. Furthermore, with caffeine there was a significant decrease in RPE at the end of the last completed test stage. A low dose of caffeine significantly increases VO₂ max and allows runners to work harder at the same peak heart rates.

Iron deficiency in division III male cross country runners.
Sarah Gervais and Jessica Walker
 Nutrition and Biology

Iron deficiency in males is rare; however, male runners have increased iron losses that may result in decreased athletic performance. Our purpose was to assess the iron status of the runners and identify subjects who are iron deficient. Mean iron intake was 25.07±9.17mg (RDA for males is 8 mg/day). Initial mean serum ferritin was 99.03±70.43 ng/mL; values <20 ng/mL may impair performance. Final mean serum ferritin was 126.78±80.86 ng/mL. After 12 weeks, only two (5 percent) of the original eight subjects with low serum ferritin values remained <40 ng/mL. The incidence was 21.0 percent, which is high enough to warrant routine screenings for iron status.

Significant risk of dehydration in young soccer players.
Abby Milton
Nutrition  and Biology

Soccer is played in a continuous manner with limited opportunities for athletes to rest and rehydrate. Young athletes are more prone to heat-related illnesses. Our purpose was to assess the risk of dehydration in youth soccer players recruited from two local youth soccer associations. Most players (82 percent) started their games dehydrated and failed to drink sufficient fluids to improve their status during the game. On average players should consume between 1200-1800 mL during competition, but some subjects consumed less than 500 mL. The tendency for these young athletes to start their games dehydrated places them at risk to develop heat-related illnesses.

Vitamin D status and stress fractures in division III male cross-country athletes.
Jessica Walker and Sarah Gervais
Biology and Nutrition

Stress fracture occurrence is high among runners and one of the risk factors is poor vitamin D status. Our purpose was to evaluate vitamin D status in cross-country male runners through the year. Vitamin D declined significantly by December since the UVB rays are not sufficiently direct to maintain vitamin D synthesis during the winter months despite adequate dietary intake on average. These results support the need to consume dietary sources of vitamin D above the current dietary recommendations or obtain controlled UVB exposure during the winter months.

College of Saint Benedict women's basketball teams' physiological data assessment: the story it tells.
Alison M. Gresback
Exercise Studies and Sport Science

Physiological data were collected on the College of Saint Benedict Women's Basketball team from 2001-02 to 2008-09 (n = 100; 189 data sets). Through data analysis by position, normative ranges were established. Position-specific relationships were identified between specific test scores and the coach's perception of the individual's basketball performance. Lastly, it was determined that not all of the agility tests contributed uniquely to understanding the athlete's physiological abilities therefore indicating some redundancy in the testing procedures.

Variations in perceived vs. measured aerobic capacity in division III female collegiate soccer players.
Alison M. Pagliaccetti
Exercise Studies and Sport Science

Twenty-one division III female collegiate soccer players were tested in the fall of 2008 to determine their individual level of aerobic fitness. Each athlete performed a VO₂ max test and intermittent endurance test to quantify their respective aerobic capacities. The results were compared to the coach's subjective rating of the athlete's aerobic fitness level to determine if the coach's perception of the athlete's aerobic capacity differed from that which was measured. The results of this study will help determine the value of laboratory and field tests in determining the aerobic fitness of division III female collegiate soccer players.

The relationship between dance training background and a dancer's ability to perform a double pirouette with ideal technique.
Allison M. Seifert
Exercise Studies and Sport Science

Ten members of the College of Saint Benedict Dance Team (five with primarily a ballet background, five with primarily a jazz background) performed double pirouette turns while being videotaped from the front, side, and above. Biomechanical analysis was performed using Dartfish video analysis software and a checklist of key elements that define ideal technique. Statistical methods were used to determine the relationship between turn technique and dance training backgrounds. This information can be used to more effectively teach double pirouette turn technique.

The efficacy of the inspiring leaders certificate program (ILCP) in facilitating leadership development .
Laura E. Adams
Exercise Studies and Sport Science

CSB/SJU students were surveyed using the LABS-III survey tool, created by Richard Wielkiewicz (2001), in order to explore their attitudes and beliefs pertaining to hierarchical versus systemic leadership styles. Hierarchical leadership emphasizes task-oriented, top to bottom leadership orientation, whereas systemic leadership promotes inclusive, horizontal orientation. Our preliminary results show that leadership attitudes and beliefs of students who have completed one or more ILCP certificates in their four years have shifted toward a systemic approach to leadership. This shift has led to the exploration of the ILCP's efficacy in fostering systemic leadership and the modifications that may be necessary to ensure its sustainability on campus.