Raehl to present in virtual MSROP showcase

August 4, 2020

School of Kinesiology Sports Management student, Nati Raehl, BS, and his mentor, Clinton Warren PhD, a Lecturer in Sports Management, have been working on a research project focusing on ‘Examining Wage Discrimination in Major League Soccer’ as part of the Multicultural Student Research Opportunity Program. The purpose of Raehl’s research is to examine and analyze the existence of wage discrimination amongst players involved in Major League Soccer based on their race and home region.

On Thursday, August 6, Raehl will be presenting his research at the 2020 Virtual Multicultural Summer Research Opportunities Program Showcase. The showcase takes place over Zoom from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Raehl will be presenting from 11:40 to 11:55 a.m. For those interested in attending, information and joining details can be found on the MSROP website.

Konczak lab members publish further research about treating voice and speech disorders

August 3, 2020

Members of the Human Sensorimotor Control (HSC) Laboratory, directed by School of Kinesiology professor Jürgen Konczak, published a paper that continues their work in developing a treatment for the voice disorder spasmodic dysphonia. The paper, Real-Time Voice Activity Detection Using Neck-Mounted Accelerometers for Controlling a Wearable Vibration Device to Treat Speech Impairment, further tested and assessed a wearable collar-like device that delivers vibro-tactile stimulation (VTS) to the larynx during speech as a therapy for patients with spasmodic dysphonia.

This study explored the use of wearable accelerometers instead of microphones. Specifically, it aimed to find the ideal location for placing accelerometers to the neck, and develop a voice activity detection algorithm that detects the onset and offset of speech. The paper concluded that accelerometer signals due to tissue motion at thyroid cartilage are most suitable for real-time voice activity detection. Their findings support the feasibility of accelerometer-based voice detection for the use in medical devices that target speech and voice disorders.

This paper is from the 2020 Design of Medical Devices Conference, and was published in the Frontiers of Biomedical Devices conference proceedings journal on July 27, 2020. Publishing authors are Saurav Dubey, Arash Mahnan, and Jürgen Konczak.

Konczak lab receives award to apply its neuromodulation technology to people with chronic cough

August 3, 2020

Stephanie Misono, associate professor in the Department of Otolaryngology, and Jürgen Konczak, director of the Human Sensorimotor Control Laboratory and professor in the School of Kinesiology, received a $50,000 award through the 2020 Clinical Translational Research Services (CTRS) Pilot Funding Program.

Their project, “Vibrotactile stimulation of the larynx to treat unexplained chronic cough,” seeks to apply the laryngeal stimulation technology originally developed in the lab for treating people with dystonia to a new clinical population – people who suffer from chronic cough. Currently, this patient group lacks any meaningful treatment. The project received state two funding from CTRS. The next stages of their work will include the implementation and completion of a prospective pilot clinical trial.

Smith’s research on Student Experiences gains approval from Institutional Review Board

July 27, 2020

Thomas J. Smith, PhD, adjunct professor for the School of Kinesiology, is principal investigator in a research project entitled “University Student Experiences with Mandated Home Isolation.” To document these experiences, a 39-item survey will be sent to student members of 11 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) student chapters, including 7 chapters of Big Ten universities. The project has recently secured approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Co-investigator on the study is Hannah Griebel, a Masters candidate in the UM Human Factors/Ergonomics Graduate Program. Greibel also serves as treasurer of the UM student chapter of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES).

Gao receives Hourglass Integrative Therapies Cancer Research Award for research on improving the lifestyles and disease management of breast cancer survivors (BCS)

July 27, 2020

Zan Gao, PhD, associate professor in the School of Kinesiology and director of the Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory (PAEL), was recently awarded the Hourglass Integrative Therapies Cancer Research Award for his research on improving disease management and health outcomes for breast cancer survivors (BCS).

The long-term goal of Dr. Gao’s research is to enable BCS to develop a healthy lifestyle using e-health delivered complementary therapy for better disease prevention and management. This project aims to examine the effects of a Tai Chi (TC) exercise app on stress reduction and health outcomes in BCS in a pilot randomized controlled trial. Guided by Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), their central hypothesis is that TC intervention will be more effective on stress and health outcomes than control conditions among BCS. Forty BCS will be recruited and randomized into one of two groups after baseline measurement: 1) TC app intervention group: will install the 7 Minute Chi app, and be included in a private Facebook group wherein the researchers will provide weekly health information to improve SCT-based exercise beliefs; and (2) control group: will only receive identical weekly Facebook health information. The primary outcomes are stress and quality of life, and secondary outcomes include blood pressure, daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, and SCT beliefs. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and 12-week post-intervention (end-point).

The study’s specific aims include: Aim 1: Examine the effects of a TC app program on stress and quality of life (e.g., anxiety, depression) among BCS as compared to the control condition over a 12-week period. Aim 2: Determine the effects of the TC intervention on BCS’ secondary health outcomes.

This research attempts to examine an innovative app-based complementary therapy on health outcomes while encouraging peer rapport in BCS. If successful, it can significantly impact the development of novel and cost-effective integrative programs for postmenopausal BCS. It is especially imperative for health professionals to deliver integrative programs remotely due to social distancing under COVID-19 and future pandemic crisis.

Gao publishes paper on using Virtual Reality (VR) Exercise for Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

July 20, 2020

Zan Gao, PhD, Kinesiology Associate Professor and Director of Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory, has recently published an article titled “Virtual Reality (VR) Exercise as a Coping Strategy for Health and Wellness Promotion in Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic” as the first author in Journal of Clinical Medicine.

The December 2019 COVID-19 outbreak in China has led to worldwide quarantine, as recommended by local governments and the World Health Organization. Particularly affected are older adults (i.e., those aged ≥ 65 years) who are at elevated risk for various adverse health outcomes, including declines in motor ability and physical activity participation, increased obesity, impaired cognition, and various psychological disorders.

The aim of this review was to synthesize recent research examining the efficacy and effectiveness of VR exercise in the promotion of favorable health outcomes among the older adults. Results indicate the application of VR exercise to facilitate improved physical outcomes (e.g., enhanced motor ability, reduced obesity), cognition and psychological outcomes. VR exercise has also been observed to be an effective intervention strategy for fall prevention in this population. Future research should employ more rigorous research designs to allow for a more robust quantitative synthesis of the effect of VR exercise on the preceding outcomes to elucidate which type(s) of VR-based PA interventions are most effective in promoting improved health outcomes among older adults.

Findings from this study will better inform the development of technology-savvy PA programs for wellness promotion in older adults who practice social distancing and exercise from home under the unprecedented global health crisis.

PhD student DJ McDonough and PAEL publish in Games for Health Journal

July 8, 2020

D.J. McDonough, PhD, candidate and Doctoral Dissertation Fellow, advised by associate professor Zan Gao, Ph.D., published a manuscript in the Games for Health Journal entitled “Comparison of College Students’ Blood Pressure, Perceived Exertion, and Psychosocial Outcomes During Virtual Reality, Exergaming, and Traditional Exercise: An Exploratory Study.” This is McDonough’s third publication as first author. Co-investigators on the study include former and current Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory (PAEL) members: Dr. Zachary C. Pope; Dr. Nan Zeng; Wenxi Liu (PhD candidate); and Dr. Zan Gao.

McDonough has one future publication under review and two more prepared for submission.

Gao publishes in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

June 29, 2020

Zan Gao, Ph.D., kinesiology associate professor and director of Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory, has recently published a research article titled “Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Exercise on Individual’s Physiological, Psychological, and Rehabilitative Outcomes: A Systematic Review” as the corresponding author in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. The first-author of this paper is Jiali Qian, a recent M.Ed. graduate under Dr. Gao’s mentorship.

The aim of this study was to synthesize the literature examining the effects of virtual reality-based exercise on physiological, psychological, and rehabilitative outcomes in various populations. Findings suggested virtual reality exercise has potential to exert a positive impact on an individual’s physiological, psychological, and rehabilitative outcomes compared with traditional exercise. However, the quality, quantity, and sample size of existing studies are far from ideal. Therefore, more rigorous studies are needed to confirm the observed positive effects.

Weiss Publishes on Youth Sport and Physical Activity Using a Social Psychological Lens

June 23, 2020

Maureen R. Weiss, PhD, Professor in the School of Kinesiology, has published two peer-reviewed articles on social psychological approaches to youth sport and physical activity participation. The first article, “Youth sport motivation and participation: Paradigms, perspectives, and practicalities,” is published in a special issue of Kinesiology Review commemorating the 40-year anniversary of the Michigan State University (MSU) Institute for the Study of Youth Sports. Weiss, who attained her PhD from MSU and held a research assistantship in the Institute, provides an overview of how youth sport motivation research has evolved over the past 40 years. She covers important theoretical advances, evidence-based best practices, and ideas for expanding knowledge and reach in the next 40 years.

The second article, “Motor skill development and youth physical activity: A social psychological perspective,” is published in the Journal of Motor Learning and Development, and is based on the keynote lecture Weiss gave at the International Motor Development Research Consortium conference in Verona, Italy. Weiss’ essay explores the benefits of integrating scientific knowledge from motor development and sport psychology to inform research and professional practice. Weiss expands on how researchers can collaborate to address critical issues on youth physical activity, such as applying social psychological theory to guide research questions, using more longitudinal designs and a variety of mixed methods, designing studies on physical literacy, and employing a positive youth development approach for improving motor and social-emotional skills. Such efforts can assist teachers, coaches, and parents in creating opportunities for youth to learn and improve fundamental motor and sport skills and to achieve feelings of competence, autonomy, relatedness, and joy for motivating a lifetime of physical activity.

Dr. Lundstrom featured in a Q&A with the Runner’s Tribe

June 23, 2020

Chris Lundstrom, PhD, School of Kinesiology lecturer and the director of the Sports and Exercise Science MEd, was recently featured in an article posted by the Runner’s Tribe. The interview covers Dr. Lundstrom’s time as a runner in high school, at Stanford University, and as a professional marathon runner. It also discusses Dr. Lundstom’s philosophy and approach to coaching, the mental side of running, as well as some of the more practical aspects of training for distance runners (including footwear, nutrition, and some of his favorite workouts).

The Runner’s Tribe is an electronic journal that covers all aspects of athletics, track and field, road running, junior athletics, and more throughout Australasia and the world.

Dr. Lundstrom talks about flexibility and running with Runner’s World

June 23, 2020

Chris Lundstrom, PhD, a lecturer in the School of Kinesiology, was recently interviewed by Runner’s World magazine and discussed “The Importance of Flexibility for Peak Running Performance.” The article covers the importance of flexibility in runners, the types of stretches that increase the range of motion in connective tissue, and how to overall improve flexibility in relation to running.

Lundstrom is the director of the Sport and Exercise Science MEd program and the director of the Human Sport Performance Laboratory (HSPL). His areas of interest and research are endurance training and performance, exercise physiology, and sports science.

Mahnan’s research earns two awards from the Voice Foundation

June 16, 2020

Arash Mahnan, PhD candidate within the School of Kinesiology, received two awards at the Voice Foundation Symposium 2020 held May 27 – 31. For his outstanding contributions to new research related to spasmodic dysphonia and related voice conditions, Mahnan received the 2020 National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association (NSDA) Award from the NSDA and The Voice Foundation. Additionally, Mahnan won the Best Student Presentation Award.

When asked about his research Mahnan said, “I am working on a novel, non-invasive treatment for the voice disorder spasmodic dysphoria, using vibrotactile stimulation. Our work has shown improvement in the voice quality of individuals with the disorder.” You can watch his presentation here.

Raymond-Pope is lead author on article in Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

June 11, 2020

Christiana Raymond-Pope, PhD, a post-doctoral fellow in the School of Kinesiology, is the lead author of the article “Association of compartmental leg lean mass measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry with force production” in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

This study examined the association of a new method of measuring upper leg anterior/posterior compartmental composition using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) that was developed in the Laboratory of Integrative Human Physiology. The study observed an association between upper leg compartmental muscle mass measured using the newly developed DXA scanning method with measures of muscle-specific and explosive strength.

The results of the study indicate that this method of measuring leg muscle mass may provide a way to monitor injured athletes’ safe return to their sport after rehabilitation.

Co-authors of the article include: Don Dengel, PhD, professor of kinesiology and director of the Laboratory of Integrative Human Physiology, as well as School of Kinesiology graduates Tyler Bosch, PhD and John Fitzgerald, PhD.

Kane quoted about the new world of sports in the Omaha World-Harold

June 10, 2020

Mary Jo Kane, PhD, professor emeritus in the School of Kinesiology and director emeritus of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, was quoted in the Omaha World-Harold article, “Greg Cote: Cardboard cutouts, robots, fake noise? Welcome to sports without fans, the new normal.” The article uses a quote from Kane in a previous NY Times article and discusses how sports are making adjustments to accommodate the current reality where fans aren’t filling the stadium seats.

Ji publishes on the COVID-19 pandemic and physical activity

June 9, 2020

Li Li Ji, PhD, professor in the School of Kinesiology and director of the Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene and Exercise Science is the senior and corresponding author of an editorial article titled “The COVID-19 Pandemic and Physical Activity” published in the Sports Medicine and Health Science journal.

The goals of this article are to highlight the COVID-19 threats and damages to the various human physiological systems, to address the harm of physical inactivity associated with the virus outbreak to the body, and to recommend some practical strategies to mitigate the potential damage.

Read the full article here.

China Champions Program featured in China Insight

June 4, 2020

The School of Kinesiology’s China Champions Program (CCP) was recently featured in the June issue of China Insight. Titled “Zoom In for Graduation”, the article gives an overview of the cohort’s digital graduation ceremony as well as a brief outline of the program’s background.

According to their website, “China Insight is the only English-language American newspaper to focus exclusively on connections between the United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Our goal is to develop a mutual understanding of each other’s cultures and business environments and to foster U.S.-China cultural and business harmony.”

For more information and to read the CCP feature visit: https://chinainsight.info and scroll to page 14 of their most recent issue.

Hoffman & Lundstrom receive 2020 Affordable Content grant

June 2, 2020

Brandi Hoffman, director of undergraduate studies and the Physical Activity Program at the School of Kinesiology, and Chris Lundstrom, PhD, a School of Kinesiology lecturer and the director of the Sports and Exercise Science MEd, were awarded the 2020 Partnership for Affordable Content grant.

The Partnership project is a Libraries initiative intended to explore innovative course content options, save students money, and share newly created content with an open license (if possible).

The funding from this grant will be used to support Dr. Lundstrom in developing an open access online digital text, including quiz bank questions, to be used in Beginning Running, and also as a support resource for Marathon Training and Fitness Walking. Upon integration, students will have access to these School-developed course packet materials free of cost whereas in the past they purchased course packet materials created outside of the University.

Dr. Lundstrom will work in collaboration with University libraries to turn the project into a free digital open license course content, and with Hoffman to implement the new materials into all applicable PE courses. The project team will utilize expert reviews (content experts both from within and outside of the School of Kinesiology) along with student reviews to aid in the creation of the new materials.

Program recipients will participate in a meeting to determine the support needed to accomplish the project goals. They will build a support team based on the outcome of the initial interview. Participants will implement the project/course content and receive feedback from students on the impact of the content (both academically and financially). Upon completion, Hoffman and Dr. Lundstrom are tasked with presenting the project to the public locally and, as applicable, more broadly.

Kane and LaVoi discuss Title IX with Women Leaders in College Sports

June 1, 2020

Nicole M. LaVoi, PhD, director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, and Mary Jo Kane, PhD, director emeritus of the Tucker Center spoke with Women Leaders in College Sports about the impact of Title IX as it approaches its 50th anniversary.

The webinar, titled “Celebrating Women in Sports: The Role and Impact of the Tucker Center as we Approach the 50th Anniversary of Title IX,” was a conversation about the impact of Title IX on girls and women in sports.

LaVoi is a senior lecturer at the School of Kinesiology, and Kane is a faculty emeritus at the School of Kinesiology.

The webinar is available for members of Women Leaders in College Sports to view here.

Hesse receives Beck Graduate Fellowship

May 26, 2020

Anton Hesse, a PhD student in the School of Kinesiology and member of the Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene and Exercise Science (LPHES), has been awarded the Robert and Corrie Beck Graduate Fellowship. The fellowship is based on merit and is given to a graduate student whose studies reflect Dr. Beck’s interests in the intersections of teaching and research, interdisciplinary studies, and the philosophy of education.

Hesse was nominated for the fellowship after sharing his gpa and post graduation plans. After finishing graduate school, Hesse plans to teach in higher education.

Oh, Curry and Mahnan published a paper on the effects of virtual reality on postural stability

May 21, 2020

Lab members of the Human Sensorimotor Control Laboratory, Jinseok Oh and Arash Mahnan, as well as lab member in the Affordance Perception-Action Laboratory, Chris Curry, recently published a paper titled “Investigation of the effect of virtual reality on postural stability in healthy adults.” The paper was published in the 2020 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces Abstracts and Workshops (VRW) .

The study examined ten healthy subject’s postural stability given targets at varying distances, both in virtual reality and normal environments. Their results found a significant difference in postural stability for normal anatomical stance tasks between VR and normal environments.

CEHD News Kinesiology

CEHD News Kinesiology