Current Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate students at Truman are heavily involved in research projects. Most of the projects they research involve questions proposed and developed by students. Once students decide to perform research on a particular topic of their choosing, they work with a faculty mentor. The students (with the help of the mentor) refine the question, design the study, collect the data, calculate the variables, analyze the results, and prepare the work for presentation and/or publication. 

For more information, please contact Dr. Roberta Donahue, Department Chair (rdonahue@truman.edu).

Exercise Science Articles

Caleb R. Hulsey, David T. Soto, Alexander J. Koch, and Jerry L. Mayhew.  Comparison of kettlebell swings and treadmill running at equivalent rating of perceived exertion values.  Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.  26:1203-1207, 2012.

James Crone.  Effect of frequency of resistance training and modes of exercise on bench press strength gains in college men.  Missouri Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.  21:12-21, 2011.

Devon B. Lacy, Joshus H. Miley, Jana L. Arabas, Kevin Powell, and Jerry L. Mayhew.  Comparison of pre-season and in-season hydration levels in high school wrestlers.  Missouri Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.  21:39-48, 2011.

Rachael Schmidt and Carla Smith.  Team building activities in physical education and increased pro-social behaviors in high school females.  Missouri Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.  21:88-97, 2011.

Ryan Farrar, Jerry L. Mayhew, and Alexander J. Koch.  Oxygen cost of kettlebell swings.  Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.  24:1034- 1036, 2010. 

Emma Lennon, Elli Mathis, and Anne Ratermann.  Comparison of strength changes following resistance training using free weights and machine weights.  Missouri Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.  20:29-35, 2010.

Dominique D. Johnson.  A comparison of attitudes regarding health insurance among students at Truman State University.  Missouri Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.  20:36-43, 2010.

Allison Palisch, Anna Greenwald, Jana L. Arabas, Liz Jorn, and Jerry L. Mayhew.  Changes in body weight and percent fat in first-time college freshman.  Missouri Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.  20:77-85, 2010.

William A. Sodemann III and Carla D. Smith.  Effect of autonomy on motivation in strength training class.  Missouri Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.  20:105-112, 2010.

Gains, G. L., Swedenhjelm, A. N., Mayhew, J. L., Bird, M., and Houser, J. J.  Comparison of speed and agility performance of college football players on field turf and natural grass.  Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.  24:2613-2617, 2010.

Devon Iacy, Josh Miley, Emily Maxwell, Kevin Powell, Jana Arabas, and Jennifer Hurst.  Assessing body composition in high school wrestlers using different measurement techniques.  Missiouri Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.  2009.

Jennifer Hurst, Evonne Bird, Tim Schwegler, Lynda Cosgrove, Ali Etemady, and Noelle Peterson.  Inter-investigator reliability in skinfold measurements.  Missiouri Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.  2009.

Lacy, D. B, J. Miley, E. Maxwell, K. Powell, J. L. Arabas, and J. L. Mayhew.  Assessing body composition in high school wrestlers using different measurement techniques.  Missouri Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. 19: 131-137, 2009.

Halet, K. A., J. L. Mayhew, C. Murphy, and J. Fanthorpe.  Relationship of 1-RM lat-pull to pull-up and lat-pull repetitions in elite collegiate women swimmers.  Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 23:1496-1502, 2009.

Back to Top

Exercise Science Presentations

2012:

J. L. Mayhew, Andrea Kobermann, G. D. Leahy, and T. Crowder.  (2012)  Relationship of Body Mass to Army Physical Fitness Test Performance in College ROTC Cadets. The American College of Sports Medicine Meeting, San Francisco, CA.

J. L. Mayhew, Alex Koch, Emma Lennon, Elli Mathis, and Anne Ratermann.  (2012)  Influence of Training Volume and Diet on Ferritin Levels of Division II Female Cross Country Runners.  National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Ogden, UT.

J. Hurst, E. Bird, Danielle Bell, and Candace Bell.  (2012) Physical activity and nutritional behavior intervention with low income women with children. Association for Applied Sport Psychology, Honolulu, HI.

C. Smith.  (2012)  If Less is More:  Focus on Standard 5.  Missouri Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Lake of the Ozarks, MO.

2011:     

J. Arabas and students from NWMSU. (2011) CPR Recert for MOAPHERD. The Missouri Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Osage Beach, MO.

E. Bird, J. Hurst, Danielle Bell, and Candace Bell. (2011) Physical Activity and Nutritional Behavior Intervention with Low Income Women with Children. Association for Applied Sport Psychology, Honolulu, HI.

J. Mayhew and Brittany Jull.  (2011)  Relationship of Anthropometric Dimensions and Seated Power Performance Tests to Isoinertial Upper-Body Power.  National Strength and Conditioning Association, Las Vegas, NV.

J. Mayhew and Alyssa Duffy.  (2011)  Allometric Scaling of Upper-and-Lower-Body Strength in College Men and Women.  National Strength and Conditioning Association, Las Vegas, NV.

M. Bird. (2011) Stretching for Fitness and Performance. The Missouri Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Osage Beach, MO.

M.Bird, Katie Pitts, and Sara Yunghans. (2011) Acceleration of the Leg and Muscle Recruitment Pattern on Barefoot and Shod Runners. The Missouri Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Osage Beach, MO.

L. Jorn, and J. L. Mayhew. (2011) Comparison of Training Frequency and Mode on Upper Body Strength Gains in College Men and Women. American College of Sports Medicine.

A. J. Koch and J. L. Mayhew. (2011) Effect of Heavy Resistance Training On Low and High Intensity Upper Body Work Capacity in College Women. American College of Sports Medicine.

C. Lantz, Haley Brown, and Leah Reimnitz. (2011) Effects of DMG on Maximal Aerobic Power. National Strength and Conditioning Association National Conference, Orlando, FL.

J. L. Mayhew. (2011) Effect of Strength Level and Body Composition on Upper and Lower Body Work Capacity in Adult Men. American College of Sports Medicine.

J. L. Mayhew, and Stephen Kueny. (2011) Changes in Salivary Imunoglobulin A During a Collegiate Wrestling Season. American College of Sports Medicine, Denver, CO.

J. L. Mayhew and Joel DiStefano, Fairmont State University. (2011) Can Maximal Squat Be Predicted From Structural and Anthropometric Dimensions? American College of Sports Medicine.

2010:

M. Bird (2010).  Reliability of the Stretch Impact on Vertical Jump Performance. The International Society of Biomechanics in Sports, Marquette, MI.

M. Bird, Autumn McEachern, and Phi Ho. (2010). EMG Comparison of Theraband and Dumbell Exercises.  Missouri Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Osage Beach, MO.

M. Bird, J. Houser, Laura Swaters, Becky Rollock, and Anna Mottlage.(2010) Evaluating Muscle Activation Asymmetry in Women with Low Back Pain Syndromes. American Osteopathic Association National Convention, San Francisco, CA.

J. Houser and Laura Sutters (2010). Muscle Activation Asymmetry in Females With Lower Back Pain During a Step Over Functional Task. Central States - American College of Sports Medicine, Lawrence, KS.

J. Hurst and Lori Griffin (2010).   Stability in the Adaptation of the Visvomotor System.  Central States - American College of Sports Medicine, Lawrence, KS.

J. Hurst, M. Bird, Laura Swaters, Becky Rollock, and Anna Mottlage (2010) Functional Measurements in Low Back Pain.  ATSU/TSU Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Symposium, Kirksville, MO.

J. L. Mayhew (2010). Eating Disorder Prevention in School and Community Settings - Panel Discussion.  American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Indianapolis, IN.

J. L. Mayhew, Meredith Turner, and Garret Powell (2010). Strength Gains From Free Weight and Machine Weight Training in Men of Different Strength Levels.  American College of Sports Medicine, Baltimore, MD.

J. L. Mayhew, Garret Powell, and Meredith Turner (2010). Inter-Rater Reliability and Accuracy of Hand-Held Dynamometer Testing for Isometric Arm Flexion.  American College of Sports Medicine, Baltimore, MD.

J. L. Mayhew and Lori Griffin (2010).  Allometric Modeling of Maximal Bench Press and Squat Strength in Adolescent Men and Women.  American College of Sports Medicine, Baltimore, MD.

Back to Top

2009:

W. Kemmler, A.S. von Stengel, A. Wassermann, J. Zapf, and J. Mayhew (2009).  Effect of compression stocking on running performance in male runners.  Journal  of Strength and Conditioning.

Lynae Floyd, Amber Otte, and J. Mayhew (2009).  Comparison of 1-RM bench press performance between free weights and machine weights.  Missouri Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Osage Beach, MO.

J. Houser (2009).  Enhanced cutaneous sensation mitigates vibration induced postural sway.  Society for Neuroscience, Chicago, IL.

Amber Watton and J. Hurst (2009).  An exploration of the role of social factors on anger and aggressiveness within the context of the athletic identity maintenance model.  Association for Applied Sport Psychology Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.

Morgan Clennin and J. Hurst (2009).  Influence of life priorities on weekly physical activity in a sample of US adults.  Association for Applied Sport Psychology Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.

Morgan Clennin and J. Hurst (2009).  A comparison of physical activity levels in women with and without children at home.  Association for Applied Sport Psychology Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.

Health Science Articles

2009:

Christy Vogt (2009). Evaluation of the QPR Suicide Prevention Program, Missouri Journal of Health Education, Recreation, 19, 55-60.  Presented at 2008 MOAHPERD poster session, Osage Beach, MO     (Winner of the 2008 McSwegen Student Research Award at the MOAHPERD Conference)

Back to Top

Health Science Presentations

2012:

C. Cox, J. Visker, Scaccia Ferro, Joan McDermott, and Justin (2012).  Students' perceptions of school learning climate in a rural juvenile detention center educational facility.  International Conference on the Health Risks of Youth, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

J. Visker (2012).  An assessment of parent-child sexual communication and relationship satisfaction during adolescence: A retrospective study.  International Conference of the Health Risks of Youth, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Mitch Stewart, C. Cox, and J. Visker (2012).  Interdisciplinary Clinical Education Program.  American School Health Association, San Antonio, TX.

Cody Campbell, C. Cox, and J. Visker (2012).  Workplace violence prevention workshops for employees:  A pilot program.  American School Health Association, San Antonio, TX.

2011:

          C. Cox and Justin McDermott.  (2011)  Slips, Trips and
        Falls at the Worksite:  A Brief Prevention Workshop.  The
        American School Health Association Conference, 
        Louisville, KY.  

        C. Cox and Jon Jones.  (2011)  Trends in Tobacco Use
        of Rural Northeast Missouri Middle School Students. 
        The American School Health Association Conference,
        Louisville, KY.

R. Donahue (2011).  Creativitiy: An often overlooked approach to managing stress.  Meeting of the Minds, Kansas City, MO.

R. Donahue, D. Holbrook, and Darius Taylor (2011).  Teachin students to overcome the bystander effect.  Missouri Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Lake of the Ozarks, MO.

J. Visker (2011).  Presentation: Orienferring for fun and fitness.  Missouri Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Lake of the Ozarks, MO.

J. Clark, Sarah Folks, Grace McGaughey, and Katie Emery (2011).  Pharm party, sunsense for schools, grabbing RedBull by the horns.  American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, San Diego, CA.

2010:

        C. Cox and Cassandra Hester.  (2010)  Non-Traditional
        Health Education Lessons Targeted to At-Risk Youth on
        Probation.  The American School Health Association
        National Conference, Kansas City, MO.

        C. Cox and Megan Temme.  (2010)  Elementary
        School Students' Level of Physical Activity During
        Recess.  The American School Health Association
        National Conference, Kansas City, MO.

2009:

          C. Cox and Julie Hasken.  (2009)  Support Broker
        Training:  Self-Directed Care For the Disabled.  The
        American School Health Association Conference,
        Denver, CO.

        C. Cox and Jenna Osseck. (2009)  Use of a Focus
        Group of Youth in a Juvenile Detention Facility to
        Recommend Programming Based on the Results of a
        Developmental Assets Profile.  The American School
        Health Association Conference, Denver, CO.

        C. Cox, Joan Scaciaferro, Samantha Goode, Rachel
          Van Cleave, Julie Hasken, and Justin McDermott.
        (2009)  Patient Navigators for a Diabetes Self-
        Management Program.  The American School Health
        Association Conference, Denver, CO.

        C. Cox and Megan Temme.  (2009)  The Effect of an
        Active Learning Health Education Unit on the Health
        Knowledge of Students in an Academic Recovery
        Program.  The American School Health Association
        Conference, Denver, CO. 

M. Jennings, Morgan Clennin, and Sarah Kohlstedt, American University, (2009).  College females and physical activity trends:  Recommendation for empowering female fitness on campuses.  Association for Applied Sport Psychology, Salt Lake City, UT.
 

Archive of Undergraduate Research

Back to Top