Empowering Students Through iWorx Equipment

Allyssa Analytis, Biology Major

Abstract: Water polo is a sport that requires a quick change in body position. When submerged in the water, operation of the body’s respiratory system changes since there is additional pressure on the chest from the weight of the water. Further, treading water, or “egg beater,” can affect the respiratory system because bending of the neck and trachea can modify the resistance in the respiratory passages (Pendergast and Lundgren 2009). These observations lead to the question: do postural changes during swimming alter energetic demands of exercise? 

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Shaun Eichner, Biology Major

Abstract: This experiment is a study on nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of the median nerve and lacrosse shooting accuracy as intense non-aerobic exercise occurs. Because we believed that the peripheral nervous system played a role in shooting accuracy, we studied the median nerve, which controls thumb position during shooting. We found a significant decrease in shooting accuracy, however, NCV’s of the median nerve increased in some subjects and decreased in others. Therefore, we reject our hypothesis that decreases in shooting accuracy associated with high velocity sprint is caused by decreases in median nerve conduction velocities.

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Caitlin Reijman, Biology Major

Abstract: Caffeine is often used by athletes to enhance performance, however the magnitude of its effects varies (Rauh, Burkert, Siepmann, & Mueck-Weymann 2006). Little has been done to correlate the effects of caffeine on respiratory function with its effects on performance (Chapman & Mickleborough 2009). The effects of caffeine on swimmers’ respiratory function may play an important part in performance enhancement. I hypothesized that caffeine improves swimming performance and that its effects can be explained by the effects of caffeine on both metabolism and ventilation.

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Brandon DuBois, Biology Major

Abstract: Athletes are always striving to make gains in muscular strength and also in aerobic exercise capacities.

Hypothesis: An increase in core strength would cause an increase in cardiorespiratory performance.

Test: Subjects had their core strength and cardiorespiratory parameters assessed at rest and during exercise both prior to and also post participation in a core strength training program.

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Kenny Kleso, Biology Major

Abstract: Competitive swimming relies on both arms and legs of the swimmer for propulsion at maximum speed. Because legs comprise the greater muscle mass, it would seem that the legs would consume more oxygen. However, one study suggests that whole body oxygen consumption is less when using the arms due to a smaller diffusing area, shorter transit time and larger diffusing distance (Calbet, J. A. L. 2005). These apparent conflicts in research studies led me to the question, “If an athlete is treading water vertically at the same exercise intensity, which is more efficient in terms of whole body oxygen demand: remaining afloat using the arms or the legs?”

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