The campus community is invited to attend the following graduate defenses:
Shanna Hagenah
When: 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 20
Where: Interactive Learning Center, Room 315
Title: Silenced and Erased: Experiences of Woman of Color in Higher Education
Program:
Abstract:
This study provides insight into the experiences of women of color in higher education classrooms. Embracing recent literature on the politics of education, the double discrimination experienced by women of color, and the tenets of critical pedagogy, I engaged in qualitative interviews to gain insights into the experiences of women of color in higher education classrooms and reveal suggestions from women of color for improving their classroom experiences. The findings of this study reveal women of color experience appropriation of knowledge and bodies, acceptance of classroom ignorance, and social capital. Further, women of color suggest professors/instructors use explicit language, acknowledge diversity, recognize the individual, accept critique, and encourage group work/discussions as ways to enhance their classroom experiences. The findings support the literature demonstrating the White/male center of education and the use of critical pedagogical practices to disrupt this center to improve classroom climates for women of color in higher education.
Nick Lobb
When: 3:30 p.m. Friday, March 23
Where: Bronco Gym, Room 219
Title: Effects of Stride Length on Lower Limb Stiffness when Running with Body Borne Load
Program: Master of Science in Kinesiology
Abstract:
Introduction: During military activities, soldiers are often required to run at a fixed cadence with a body borne load, but these loads purportedly increase leg stiffness, leading to increased risk of musculoskeletal injury. Yet, to date, it is unknown how altering stride length when running with body borne load affects lower limb stiffness for males and females. Purpose: To quantify leg stiffness, and lower limb joint (hip, knee and ankle) stiffness for males and females using different stride lengths to run with body borne loads of 20 kg, 25 kg, 30 kg, and 35 kg. Methods: Twenty-seven (17 males and 10 females) participants (age: 21.2 ± 2.3 years, height: 1.7 ± 0.1 m, and weight: 75.5 ± 11.3 kg) had leg and joint stiffness quantified while running at 4 m/s with four load conditions (20, 25, 30, and 35 kg). With each load condition, participants performed three run trials using either: their preferred stride length (PSL) and strides that are 15% longer (LSL) and shorter (SSL) than their PSL. Statistical Analysis: Leg and hip, knee, and ankle stiffness were submitted to a RM ANOVA to test the main effect and interaction of load (20, 25, 30, and 35 kg), stride length (PSL, PSL+15%, and PSL-15%), and sex (male vs female). Results: Body borne load increased leg stiffness (P=0.006). Male participants decreased leg stiffness as stride lengthened from SSL to PSL and PSL to LSL (P=0.026; P<0.001), while females did not change leg stiffness with longer strides (P>0.05). Body borne load increased peak vGRF (P<0.001). Males increase peak vGRF with each increase in stride length (P=0.010; P=0.011), while females only increased peak vGRF between PSL and LSL (P<0.001). Knee (P<0.001) and ankle (P=0.013) stiffness increased with the addition of body borne load, but load had no significant effect on hip stiffness (P=0.723). Increasing stride length significant decreased ankle stiffness (P=0.003), but had no effect on hip (P=0.661) or knee (P=0.170) stiffness. Sex had no significant effect on hip (P=0.880), knee (P=0.234), or ankle (P=0.081) stiffness. Conclusion: Running with body borne load increased leg stiffness and potential risk of musculoskeletal injury. But, only male participants decreased leg stiffness and injury risk with longer strides. Both the knee and ankle increased joint stiffness, and risk of musculoskeletal injury with the addition of body borne load. The ankle, however, decreased joint stiffness with longer strides.
AuraLea Fain
When: 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 23
Where: Bronco Gym, Room 219
Title: Sex Differences in Lower Limb Biomechanics during a Single-leg Cut with Body Borne Load
Program: Master of Science in Kinesiology, Biophysical
Abstract:
Introduction: Musculoskeletal injuries are ever-increasing in military personnel, particularly females. These musculoskeletal injuries are attributed to adaptations in lower limb biomechanics while performing routine military tasks, such as a single-leg cut, with the addition of body borne load. However, it is unknown if females and males exhibit similar lower limb biomechanics with the addition of body borne load during these tasks. This study sought to compare the lower limb biomechanical adaptations exhibited by females and males performing a single-leg cut with body borne load. Methods: Eleven females and 17 males had lower limb biomechanics quantified during a single-leg cut with four body borne load conditions (20, 25, 30 and 35 kg). Each participant performed five successful off each limb (dominant and non-dominant). Statistical Analysis: For analysis, initial contact (IC) and peak stance (PS) hip, knee and ankle 3D rotations and PS moments, and peak proximal tibial shear were calculated. Each variable was submitted to a RM ANOVA to test main and interaction effects of sex (male, female), load (20, 25, 30 and 35 kg), and limb dominance (dominant vs. non-dominant). Results: Body borne load increased peak proximal anterior tibial shear force (p = 0.011). However, females exhibited significantly greater proximal tibial shear with the 25 kg configuration compared to the 20 kg configuration (p = 0.028), while males exhibited greater peak proximal tibial shear force with 35 kg configuration compared to 20 kg (p = 0.04) and 25 (p = 0.011) kg configurations. During the cut, females exhibited significantly greater IC and PS hip adduction angle (p = 0.016 and p = 0.015), and PS hip adduction (p < 0.001) and knee external rotation (p = 0.004) moments compared to males. Males exhibited significantly greater PS hip flexion moment (p = 0.041) and knee flexion moment – but only with the 25 kg (p = 0.04) and 30 kg (p = 0.022) load configurations – compared to females. Conclusion: The addition of body borne load increases risk of musculoskeletal injury for military personnel performing a single-leg cut. Females exhibited hip and knee biomechanics reported to increase dynamic valgus loading of the knee and may have a greater risk of musculoskeletal injury during the single-leg cut compared to their male counterparts.