Nipissing University theses and dissertations

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/1807/91256

This collection contains a sample of theses and dissertations completed and submitted at Nipissing University, and made freely accessible through the University of Toronto’s TSpace repository.

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Smart pattern search (SPS), an analytical method with numerical validation : inverse design and optimization of 1-D metagrating beam deflector
(2024) Sabzevari, Mohammadamin; Hatef, Ali; Faculty of Arts and Science
Nowadays, optimization has become an integral part of nearly every scientific field, particularly in the realm of photonics. Optimization techniques are widely employed to enhance the effectiveness of photonic structures, including metagratings. The primary objective is to maximize light intensity towards a specific diffraction order while minimizing the influence of other orders. This work introduces a fast semi-analytical algorithm for the inverse design and optimization of a one-dimensional beam deflector metagrating. This algorithm can generate highly efficient structures based on desired wavelengths and deflection angles.The method employed in this work is the Smart Pattern Search (SPS), an improved version of the pattern search algorithm from MATLAB's Global Optimization Toolbox. The SPS algorithm aims to maximize the deflected light towards the 1st diffraction order, playing a crucial role in various applications, particularly in display technology. Optimized structures contribute to brighter, clearer, and more efficient displays, while poorly optimized or unoptimized structures can significantly impact picture quality and energy consumption. This study demonstrates a significantly shorter processing time compared to similar machine learning-based approaches for the same metagrating structure setup, parameters, and electromagnetic solver. Although machine learning-based algorithms can achieve higher efficiencies in most cases, the efficiencies obtained by SPS are also very competitive. In some instances, such as a wavelength of 1100nm with angles 60 and 70°, SPS even outperforms machine learning-based methods.It is worth noting that the SPS algorithm does not require state-of-the-art computers, and the entire process can be completed in less than 27 minutes. In contrast, counterpart methods may take several hours using the same hardware, which in this case is an Intel® Core™ i7-3632QM CPU @ 2.2 GHz, and 8GB of DDR3 RAM.
Pacing in ultra endurance sport : investigation into pacing differences between sex, age, and finishing performance during Muskoka Ironman 70.3 Triathlon.
(2024) Watters, Erin; Raymer, Graydon; School of Physical and Health Education
The purpose of this study was to compare between males and females, young, middle, and old age groups, and top and bottom performers, the pacing of participants completing the bike and run portions of an Ironman 70.3 event. Publicly available data uploaded by participants who completed the 2019 Muskoka Ironman 70.3 event to www.strava.com (Strava) was analyzed in this study. The analysis included 271 participants from the cycling portion of the event and 226 participants from the running portion. Pacing profiles in both events were compared between men and women; between young (<34 years), middle (35-54 years), and old (>55 years) age groups; and between fast (top 25%) and slow (bottom 75%) finishers. Pacing was measured as the difference in average speed between the first half and the second half of each event portion. No significant pacing differences were detected between groups for the cycling portion, with all groups having a faster second half demonstrated by a net increase in speed of between 0.94km/hr to 1.57km/hr. During the cycling portion of the event, males showed significant increase in speed from their first half pace to second half by 1.14km/hr (p=0.002) whereas females did not, however, between groups comparisons show that there were no significant difference in changes of speed between sexes (p=0.761). Similarly, only middle aged athletes showed significant increase in speed from first to second half by 1.19km/hr (p=0.009). In the running event, all groups had a slower second half, with the only significant difference being the top performers slowed less than the bottom performers (0.37km/hr vs 0.60km/hr, p=0.003). Males, bottom performers, and middle-aged athletes showed significant change in pace from first half to second half, slowing by 0.55km/hr, 0.59km/hr, and 0.55km/hr respectfully. Overall, these findings contradict previous research on marathon running suggesting females have less slowing in the second half of the event compared to males. This study was the first of its kind to use publicly available data from Strava to observe performance and physiological variables for an ultra-endurance sport, and captured an accurate sample representative of the population of athletes compared to the verified results from Ironman, allowing for future use of Strava as a means of collecting performance and basic physiological data for research purposes of real life events.
Socio-economic justice and LGBTQI2S+ young adults : financial literacy education and financial inclusion
(2024) Tran, Vuong; Cho, Christine L.; Brown, Natalya; Faculty of Education
This critical ethnographic work aims to understand the financial narratives, and insights faced by Canadian and Vietnamese LGBTQI2S+ young adults. My project emphasizes thinking outside of the box, disrupting the current status quo about the LGBTQI2S+ community by challenging accepted beliefs about gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. My project critically challenges inequitable social structures which limit the fundamental rights and power of a number of LGBTQI2S+ individuals when they attempt to obtain financial literacy education and essential services. This research therefore serves to increase public awareness, encourage the advancement of beneficial social improvements for people relegated to the margins and to examine spaces that could transform the lives of LGBTQI2S+ individuals for the better. The key theoretical frameworks include concepts of financial literacy and inclusion, the critical/transformative paradigm, notions of sexual construction and power dynamics, intersectionality and ecology of human development, queer theory, behavioral finance theory, and critical pedagogy. Surveys and focus groups were utilized for data collection. I employed thematic analysis to identify and analyze key themes. The four themes are: (1) discrimination and exclusion, (2) impacts of laws, (3) shame and internalized homophobia, and (4) resiliency, joy, and moving forward. This work contributes to the growing scholarship of human rights and social equity towards LGBTQI2S+ young adults. The insights are essential for LGBTQI2S+organizations, scholars, educators, financial providers, and policymakers when they consider potential ways to build policies, curriculums, or services to approach and support this community.
Exploring attachment bonds between kindergarten students and educators: a creative appreciative inquiry
(2024) Thornborrow, Jeffery; Frost, Lorraine; Faculty of Education
This dissertation is a Creative Appreciative Inquiry research study that explores attachment bonds created between kindergarten students and educators. Rooted in the theoretical contexts of Attachment Theory and Social Constructivism, this study highlights the positive elements that contribute to the reciprocal relational connections educators and students offer one another that creates an environment that feels safe for children to thrive. Two research questions were the basis for exploring the topic of educator-child attachment: (1) What do kindergarten students identify as being helpful in the formal education system to increase feelings of safety and care while away from their caregivers?; and (2) how do kindergarten teaching teams in the formal education setting create and sustain feelings of safety and care in their students while they are away from their caregivers? The Appreciative Inquiry methodology that was utilized in this research connected all participants with the researcher on a deep level; valuing participants’ expertise in their own experiences and seeing the need to rise to the challenge of hearing the voices of everyone involved. A kindergarten classroom in Northern Ontario was the site of data collection where two educators (the classroom teacher and Early Childhood Educator), 12 kindergarten students, and five caregivers participated in two cycles of the 4D model in Appreciative Inquiry. Methods included classroom observations (6), semi-structured interviews with the education team (3), student classroom brainstorming sessions (2), student draw-and-tell exercises (2), and semi-structured interviews with caregivers (6). Analysis of the data was carried out using a reflexive thematic analysis and was assisted by NVivo software. Results of the study generated four themes that connected to the topic of research and contributed to answering the research questions: physical proximity, touch, attend/attune/accept, and presentation. Exploring Attachment Bonds Between Kindergarten Students and Educators: A Creative Appreciative Inquiry adds to the current body of literature by offering a new methodological approach in raising the voices of students and their educators to the fore of the topic discourse while also highlighting new considerations for building educator-child relationships that have not yet been cited in literature.
The impact of Covid-19 on British Columbia's education assistants' stress levels
(2023) Raymond, Mayuka (May); Corkett, Julie; Faculty of Education
Over the years, there has been a significant increase in students with disabilities in elementary and secondary schools across British Columbia (Lloyd & Baumbusch, 2020). With the rise in population of students with disabilities, there has also been an increase in Education Assistants (EAs), as they have become the primary support in schools (Abrey et Al., 2019). However, research surrounding the EA role has been scarce. With the COVID 19 pandemic affecting students and teachers at all school levels, the current research addresses EA stress levels during the pandemic. Participants, two elementary and four secondary school level EAs, were asked to partake in an interview to discuss their role, responsibilities, and effects on their mental health during the pandemic. As with previous research (Dmyterko, 2018; Giangreco, 2013; Malcomson, 2008; 2009), the results indicated that participants experienced an increase in stress during the pandemic, primarily due to the uncertainty of their role and lack of recognition from administration and the public. However, participants also noted an increase in communication and acknowledgement from teachers and parents, which was a noticeable change compared to pre- COVID levels. Recommendations regarding the EA positions in BC include: (a) a standardized definition of what an EA’s role is, (b) standardized qualifications and certification for EAs, and (c) require all schools to provide a clear and specific job description outlining the duties the EA is to perform.
Effects of age on relationships between trunk kinematics and centre of mass motion in the frequency domain during gait
(2024) McArthur, Emma; Schinkel-Ivy, Alison; School of Physical and Health Education
Previous work has analyzed biomechanical signals in the frequency domain, although primarily during quiet standing tasks. To the author’s knowledge, no previous research has examined the relationship between trunk kinematics and extrapolated centre of mass motion in the frequency domain during treadmill walking throughout adulthood. The purpose of this study was to use coherence to quantify relationships between trunk angles and extrapolated centre of mass motion during gait; and to determine if there were any age-related differences in these relationships. To explore this purpose, 60 participants (split into 6 groups by decade) ranging from 22-79 years of age completed 400 steps at two walking speeds on a treadmill while motion capture data was recorded. These data were used to calculate trunk segment angles (flexion-extension, lateral bend) and extrapolated center of mass position (anteroposterior, mediolateral). Coherence analysis was used to examine the relationships between all pairings of these signals at various frequencies of interest; coherence values were then compared between frequencies of interest and age groups. Significant effects of frequency on coherence values were observed for all signal pairings. The strongest coherence values occurred for pairings of signals in the same plane, and at the primary frequency mode for that plane. Significant age effects were only seen for the pairing of trunk flexion-extension and anteroposterior extrapolated centre of mass position; however, the trends in the coherence values reflected those for mean walking speed, which warrants further investigation. These findings provide insight into the dominant frequencies in each direction during gait, and the influence of these dominant frequencies on coherence. This study will be used to inform future research extending the current analysis from trunk kinematics to lower extremity joint kinematics.
"It's so fun!", exploring the organized sport experiences of adolescents with Down syndrome and their parents
(2024) Patel, Pankti; Bruner, Brenda; School of Physical and Health Education
Down syndrome(trisomy21) is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability. Individuals with Down syndrome present with a variety of structural and functional deficits, including those to the musculoskeletal, nervous, and cardiovascular systems, which require physiotherapy attention. As individuals with Down syndrome reach developmental milestones, there is a tendency to ‘ageout’ from the rehabilitative department. Regular participation in physical activity and organized sports provides various benefits to an individual with Down syndrome to remain active. Previous literature on organized sports has mainly focused on activity, participation, quality of life, and facilitators and barriers to participation for people with neurological disabilities and intellectual disabilities. However, the perspectives specifically of adolescents with Down syndrome, especially in a northeastern context, are absent in the literature. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of adolescents with Down syndrome and their parents on team or individual organized sports participation in Northeastern Ontario. Criterion-based snowball sampling was used to recruit families and their adolescents with Down syndrome. Four interviews were conducted(2adolescent,2parent) using a semi structured interview guide developed based on “F-words for childhood disability”(i. e. Fitness, Function, Family, Fun, Friendship and Future) framework. Reflexive thematic analysis using an inductive coding approach was conducted. Themes constructed from the parents were ‘participatory benefits of organized sport’ and ‘contextual factors of sport participation’, while themes constructed from the adolescents with Down syndrome were ‘developing positive emotions through organized sports’ and ‘growing passion for sports through organized sports participation. The findings of this study suggest organized sports participation should be considered as a fun, complementary rehabilitative modality for adolescents with Down syndrome that could improve their health and well-being. It is recommended for health care professionals to work towards promoting opportunities for long-term participation in organized sports for adolescents with Down syndrome.
Description and prediction of vegetation recovery on inactive forest roads in Northern Ontario
(2023) Meecham, Dawson Gary-Christopher; Dech, Jeff; Reid, Doug; Faculty of Arts and Science
Forest roads are high-impact, abundant and dispersive features on the landscape. These anthropogenic disturbances are a necessary component of forest harvesting operations; however, they are associated with habitat fragmentation, loss of biodiversity, and soil nutrient leaching. Studies of linear feature disturbances have largely focused on seismic lines in western Canada, with very few studies focused on the recovery of forest roads. I used non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS), an inductive, ordination approach to characterize the environmental gradients and vegetation communities of forest roads in various stages of recovery(from regularly used, active to abandoned, inactive forest roads) in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence and Boreal forest regions of Ontario. Using a stratified random sampling design, I selected 42 forest road segments in the Nipissing Forest (NF) and 18 forest road segments in the Dog River Matawin Forest (DRMF). On each road segment, I established a 100m2(5.65m radius) circular vegetation plot and a 20m transect line perpendicular to the road carriageway. I measured soil compaction, azimuth, drivable road width (DRW), total road width (TRW), canopy closure, shrub density, tree density, basal area, tree heights, proximity to a primary road, species richness, evenness, Shannon index, and species presence with associated abundance. The NMS produced3-Dimensional solutions for each forest and one axis in each forest was recovery driven. The recovery scores in each forest were associated with a decrease in the DRW, the TRW, and the standard deviation of soil compaction, as well as an increase in canopy closure. Indicator species that had positive associations with the recovery scores were identified in both forests. The shade-2 tolerant Acer saccharum was the species best related to recovery in the NF while Galium asprellum was the species best related to recovery in the DRMF. The DRW was the strongest influence on recovering forest roads. The results of this study suggest that the intensity of the initial and on-going disturbance of a forest road influences the structure of recovering plant communities, largely highlighted with the DRW and TRW. Future work should explore the hypothesis that vehicular damage to establishing stems is the main activity impeding the recovery process on forest roads.
Living and writing into being truth and reconciliation : the experiences of five Indigenous women and two allies
(2024-02) Moorthy, Deva Balan; Parr, Michelann; Faculty of Education
The study takes place in the Langley School District and the Fraser Cascade School District in the Fraser Valley in British Columbia. Five Indigenous women and an ally were all part of the process, which used a talking-circle methodology to capture the stories and opinions of the participants as a way to create authentic and relatable strategies for moving Truth and Reconciliation forward in our schools. Several themes emerged from the research: a quest for identity, loss and trauma, residential-school connections, systemic racism in school and society, labelling of Indigenous students as special needs, the importance of storytelling as an educational methodology, embracing Indigenous Principles of Learning, and decolonizing educational practices. The results of the study point to language revitalization, celebrating culture, the importance of Elders, and the need for both appropriate resources and anti-racism structures in schools. Pedagogical shifts in practice—such as implementing universal design for learning, Indigenous Principles of Learning, land-based pedagogy, and competency assessment models, were identified as critical strategies for supporting Indigenous students.
Understanding the mother-coach, child-athlete and teammate triad in youth sport
(2024-01) Flynn, Kaylee E.; Bruner, Mark; Faculty of Education
Parent-coaches are a prevalent part of youth sports, as 90% of coaches involved in youth sports are parent volunteers (Brown, 1998). Much of the research surrounding parent-coaches has focused on fathers and their involvement in both their sons' and daughters' sporting experiences (Eliasson, 2015; Eliasson, 2017; Schmid et al., 2015; Weiss & Fretwell 2005). The purpose of the thesis was to qualitatively explore the mother-coach, child-athlete and teammate triad experience in youth competitive sport. A semi-structured interview process was utilized to further understand the lived experiences of mother-coaches in youth sports, as well as the experiences of their daughters and teammates. Six triads made up of mother-coaches, daughters, and teammates participated in the study. Thematic analysis was used to understand the perspectives of each of the sub-groups. Results demonstrated that mother-coaches felt they applied additional pressure to their own children and spoke to the importance of female representation and mentorship in sports. Child-athletes and teammates revealed that many of their experiences with playing for a mother-coach were positive and created closer bonds within the team. Utilizing the three unique perspectives provided a more well-rounded view of mother-coaches lived experiences in sport. Both practical and theoretical implications and recommendations are provided for current and future mother-coaches.
Perspectives on a pandemic : an arts-informed, proto-verbatim tale of Hong Kong international students' experiences transitioning to online learning amidst the outbreak of Covid-19
(2024) Holland, Curtis Michael; Mantas, Kathy; Faculty of Education
The aim of my masters thesis is to explore the experiences of Hong Kong international high school students' transition from face-to-face to online learning at the start of the pandemic (January - May 2020). Employing arts-informed narrative inquiry as my methodology, I represent the adolescent participants' perception of this challenging and extraordinary time in education. Conducting interviews inspired by narrative reflective process (NRP) conducted over audio-only zoom calls with two participants, I rearranged the interview data to create a verbatim theatre script, to be shared with and reflected upon by the participants and school administrators at my sample site. The participants were one male student in grade 10, originally from Japan and one female student in grade 12, originally from Hong Kong, both attending the same international Hong Kong high school during the pandemic. I found that this abrupt transition to online learning played a crucial role in how students view their education and interact with their world today. This study was influenced in part by Gail Crimmins' arts-informed narrative inquiry dissertation concerning the experiences of female sessional academics in two different Australian universities, which also used verbatim script to represent the data. My study delves deeper into research on online learning affectation on high school students, the social aspect of education, and the impact that sudden changes have on learning.
Aadizookewinini : an exploration of the impacts of colonization on N'bisiing through storytelling
(2023) Lozicki Paulin, Megan; Dokis, Carly; Faculty of Arts and Science
By continuing to harvest and use traditional art making materials, how is this thesis Indigenous community arts and performance educating the broader community on environmental issues and how have harvesters had to adapt to changes within their environment. I have witnessed traditional Indigenous art making contribute to healing trauma from colonization and resource exploitation on a personal and communal level extending to the lands and water and aid in their protection. I also explore how do we share this knowledge respectfully and responsibly. By investigating the story of Nipissing’s Serpent People with Indigenous-based multi-arts company Aanmitaagzi, a process of community engagement, multi-disciplinary research, and Indigenous methodologies has helped to retell the history of Lake Nipissing; one that involves the mining of a sacred site, industrial contamination of waters ways, human transformation, natural law, and a call to action against climate change and resource exploitation. Through movement, dance, theatre, visual arts, architecture, sound and installation, these traditional forms of storytelling offered an interactive public performance space to not only share stories and knowledge from both Indigenous and Settler community members, but also offered an attempt at reconciliation with the lands and waters.
Exploring student nurses' learning experiences in clinical placements
(2023) Lynham, Kristine; Hatt, Blaine; McCullough, Karey; Faculty of Education
Clinical placements are a fundamental part of nursing education that allow nursing students to learn in different health care settings and to work with real patients. This qualitative narrative study explored the learning experiences of five past nursing students in clinical placements. Connelly and Clandinin’s (2000) three-dimensional narrative inquiry space was used to discover common themes that contribute to answering the main research question: What is it like to be a nursing student learning in a clinical placement? Understanding the experiences and characteristics of nursing students during their time spent in clinical placements in the community, such as the adjustment to working with patients and staff in a health care agency, has particular implications for nursing students during their postsecondary years and may be helpful in framing more successful experiences for these learners and to provide insight to nursing educators on the challenges that nursing students encounter in clinical placements. This research is unique because no known narrative research studies have explored learning in clinical placements and socialization into the nursing profession from the perspectives of past nursing students using a narrative inquiry method. Key findings reveal that although the personal experiences of nursing students are different, they share similar learning journeys and challenges. The narrative accounts provide insight into the value of learning in clinical placements for nursing students and how nursing educators may influence nursing students’ perceptions of their learning experiences and socialization into the nursing profession.
Physiological and biochemical changes from a 12-month all-wild food diet
(2023) St. Onge, Jeremy; Raymer, Graydon; Bruner, Brenda; School of Physical and Health Education
In a world with an increasing burden of obesity, inactivity, and noncommunicable disease, lifestyle interventions with positive health outcomes are sought. One branch of research has investigated aspects of hunter-gatherer lifestyles as these groups typically exhibit lower incidence of overweight and metabolic diseases. Previous research on changes resulting from the consumption of wild food diets has focused on the cardiovascular fitness of remaining hunter-gatherer populations, and between groups of traditionally living and westernized populations. In this novel case study, the physiological and biochemical changes occurring in two healthy participants (male, age 40; female, age 48) who voluntarily consumed an allwild food diet for 12 months were studied. Physiological assessments (strength, flexibility, aerobic fitness, and body composition) were conducted in December of 2018, July of 2019, and December of 2019. Fasted blood chemistry (lipids, blood glucose, Vitamin D, mercury, and lead) was collected and analyzed in December 2018, February 2019, April 2019, August 2019, Oct 2019, and January 2020. Cardiovascular disease(CVD) risk level was also assessed from a combination of these recorded variables. Prepost- change scores were calculated for each participant for the full year, from the beginning to the midpoint of the year, and from the midpoint to the end of the year. Participants experienced a mean sustained loss of body mass (-10.9 kg), reduction in waist circumference (-13 cm), and decrease in percent body fat (-18.7%). High-density lipoprotein increased (+0.65 mmol/L), and there were decreases in low-density lipoprotein (-0.64 mmol/L), triglycerides (-0.74 mmol/L) fasted glucose (-0.35 mmol/L), and vitamin D (-5.5 nmol/L). There was a mean decrease in combined handgrip strength (-9.9 kg) and resting metabolic rate (-265.5 kcal/day) and mean increases in double leg press (18 kg), sit-and-reach (4.2 cm), and V̇O2max), (3.2 mg/kg/min). Overall, 10-year CVD risk decreased from 11.2% to 6.7% for the male participant and remained at 2.4% for the female participant. Mean serum mercury levels increased 403%. The results presented in this study represent a long-term study of the changes occurring during the switch from a western lifestyle to an all wild-food diet and the activity patterns involved in collecting and processing those foods. In conclusion, the collection and consumption of an exclusive wild food diet can result in sustained improvements over a 1-year period in body composition and serum lipids, but the resulting elevation in serum mercury level may pose detrimental health outcomes in the long term and prevents the author from recommending others undertake a similar diet.
Exploring the impact of sexual orientation on mental health among sexual minority women intercollegiate athletes across Canadian universities
(2023) Marshall, Chloe; Bruner, Mark; School of Physical and Health Education
Among LGBTQ+ communities, sexual minority women are a population who experience increased rates of mental and physical health problems compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Some studies have revealed an attitudinal shift towards greater inclusiveness in sport, while others have found persistent homophobic prejudices. Related research has yet to explore the lived experiences of sexual minority women within intercollegiate sport in tandem with mental health. The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of sexual minority women within intercollegiate sport by exploring the impact of sexual orientation on their mental health. Employing snowball sampling, six sexual minority women, competing in intercollegiate sport participated in semi-structured interviews. Through narrative analyses, five themes were identified: (1) athletic identity and self-perceptions as an intercollegiate athlete, (2) impact of sport culture on self-expression, (3) campus climate for LGBTQ+ students, (4) influencers on mental health, and (5) creating an inclusive environment. The findings provide initial evidence for the future development of inclusive practices improve the experiences of sexual minority women intercollegiate athletes. Moreover, this study increased awareness of the challenges faced by sexual minority women participating in intercollegiate athletics, both on campus and within their sport environments.
Sympathetic activation and the catch like properties of skeletal muscle
(2023-08) Groskleg, Abbigail; Hartley, Geoff; School of Physical and Health Education
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is a division of the autonomic nervous system that may influence human skeletal muscle contraction. In-vitro research indicates that the SNS may modulate both Ca2+ release and reuptake from the sarcoplasmic reticulum; however, it is unclear how these adaptations translate into muscle force production. The purpose of this study is to examine the muscle response to two different SNS provocations: the cold pressor test (CPT) and a voluntary breath hold (BH). Specifically, this research examines the catch-like properties of skeletal muscle to determine a possible role of SNS-mediated alterations in Ca2+ regulation and resultant muscle force production. Methods: Sixteen healthy participants (females = 10, males = 6) were recruited, and neuromuscular function was assessed flowing baseline, voluntary BH, CPT, and recovery. At each timepoint, the tibialis anterior was eclectically stimulated using a single pulse, constant frequency train (CFT) and a catch like inducing train (CIT). Measurements of peak force (PF), maximal rate of force development (MRFD), M-wave, CFT/CIT potentiation ratio and CFT/CIT augmentation ratio were obtained. Results: PF decreased from baseline to CPT (-5.0 ± 0.94 N, 95% CI [-7.9, -2.2], p<.001), and breath hold to CPT (-3.3 ± 0.64 N, 95% CI [-4.63, -1.9], p<.001). There was also a reduction in MRFD from baseline to cold pressor test (-111.26 ± 21.91 N·s-1, 95% CI [-177.80, -44.73], p<.001) and baseline to recovery (-128.16 ± 23.03 N·s-1, 95% CI [-198.10, -58.22], p<.001). There were no changes in M-wave, potentiation ratio and augmentation ratio across timepoints. Conclusions: Provocations of the SNS do not appear to modulate sarcoplasmic Ca2+ release, as changes in CIT/CFT augmentation ratio and potentiation ratio were not observed in response to the BH and CPT.
Quantifying hand-arm vibration transmissibility during impact wrench use in fatiguing tasks
(2023) Ziamanesh, Shahla; Kociolek, Aaron; School of Physical and Health Education
Introduction: Prolonged use of hand-held vibratory power tools is a risk factor for vascular, neural, and musculoskeletal disorders, largely dependent on the magnitude and frequency content of vibration generated by the tool. However, there is a need to better understand the effects of physical risk factors on hand transmitted vibration, including the combined effects of hand-arm postures and repetitive efforts that generate neuromuscular fatigue over time. Methods: Ten healthy males performed 4 sets of repetitively tightening20 bolts onto nuts using a pneumatic impact wrench with their dominant hand. The task was performed in two postures (arm by side versus arm above shoulder) on two randomized testing days. Triaxial accelerometry measured vibration at the tool’s handle and the participant’s dorsal hand (3rd metacarpal) at 2500 Hz. Vibration transmissibility from the tool to the hand was calculated as a function of their respective power spectral densities. Maximum grip force was also measured before and after each repeated set to assess fatigue development. Surface electromyography further quantified fatigue development during the grip task of forearm musculature. Both grip force and electromyography were collected at4000 Hz. Results: Despite lower magnitude of the vector summated frequency-weighted root-mean-squared vibration at the tool in the arm by side versus above shoulder posture(arm by side: 4.7 ± 0.17 m/s2; above shoulder: 5.15 ± 0.15 m/s2; p=0.037), the effects were reversed when considering tool-to-hand transmissibility. Specifically, I observed markedly higher hand transmitted vibration in the arm-by side posture, especially for the yh-axis aligned with the tool’s handle (arm by side: 2.51 ± 0.3; above shoulder: 1.31 ± 0.1; p<.001).However, across all axes, repeated set number (1–4) did not influence root-mean-squared acceleration at the tool (p>0.61) or tool-to-hand transmissibility (p>0.39). A significant interaction between hand-arm posture and pre-post vibratory tool use on the standardized grip strength task revealed reduced grip force immediately following vibratory tool use, with more pronounced pre-post reductions in the above shoulder posture compared to the arm by side posture (p<0.001). Surface electromyography verified the presence of muscular fatigue during the pre-post grip task as indicated by increased peak amplitude and decreased median power frequency in wrist/hand flexors (flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris) as well as wrist/hand extensors(extensor carpi radialis, extensor digitorum). Discussion: My results showed that different hand-arm postures can lead to varied patterns of transmission for hand-arm vibration. Despite the arm by side posture being commonly regarded as a neutral posture in physical ergonomics, it resulted in greater transmission of high frequency vibration to the dorsal hand during impact wrench use. This higher transmission is linked to higher risk for vascular and neurological elements of hand-arm vibration syndrome. Conversely, surface electromyography and grip force data before and after each set of vibratory tool use revealed that the above shoulder posture led to increased fatigue versus the arm by side posture, which is indicative of an elevated risk associated with the musculoskeletal component of hand-arm vibration syndrome. Therefore, each posture may encompass a certain degree of risk for hand-arm disorders in repetitive use of vibratory power tools.
Teacher response to student ideation and student suicide
(2023) Cocieru, Rodica; Black, Glenda; Faculty of Education
Suicide is a prominent issue in secondary schools, as adolescence is the time when mental illness is manifested. As such, it is likely that a teacher will encounter a student with suicidal ideation or experience students suicide at some point in their career. This study provides insights on the experiences of teachers who worked with students at risk of suicide or who lost a student due to suicide. Five female participants from Southern Ontario self-identified and volunteered to participate in this study. The participants were interviewed, and the date were analysed using the principles of grounded theory. The themes that emerged were how teachers were impacted in their personal and professional lives, what coping methods they used, and what recommendations they have with respect to resources and programs that should be made available to other teachers with similar experiences.
Exploring coach-initiated motivational climate, mental wellness, and psychological safety in elite athletes
(2023) Shanmugaratnam, Achuthan; Bruner, Mark; School of Physical and Health Education
The purpose of this thesis was to investigate coach-initiated motivational climate, mental wellness (i.e., well-being, resilience), and psychological safety in elite athletes. Based on previous research (e.g., Vitali et al., 2015), it was hypothesized that higher task-related coach motivational climate perceptions would positively predict well-being and resilience (H1a), whereas a higher perceived ego-related coach motivational climate would have no association with well-being and resilience (H1b). It was also hypothesized that a higher perceived taskrelated coach motivational climate would positively predict psychological safety (H2a), whereas a higher perceived ego-related coach motivational climate would negatively predict psychological safety (H2b). Using a latent profile analysis, this research also explored the additive effects of motivational climate on well-being, resilience, and psychological safety. It was generally hypothesized that the profiles characterized as having a high-ego related climate in the absence of a high task-related climate would see lower perceptions of well-being, resilience, and psychological safety relative to the other profiles (H3). Self-report survey data were collected from competitive provincial and national level soccer players across Ontario (N = 298; age range 16 to 34; 58.72% male). Using multiple linear regression, and a one-way between group analysis of variance (ANOVA), the study hypotheses were partially supported. Specifically, perceived task-related climate was a significant positive predictor of well-being(H1a: ß = .33, p < .001), resilience (H1a: ß = .31, p < .001), and psychological safety (H2a: ß = .54, p < .001). A higher perceived ego-related climate was a significant negative predictor ofpsychological safety (H2b: ß = -.23, p < .001), whereas no significant association was found between an ego-related climate to well-being and resilience. Further, ANOVA results surrounding motivational climate profiles partially supported H3, as when a perceived ego-related climate was more dominant in combination with a task-related climate, athletes reported lower levels of psychological safety. Overall, the thesis findings suggest that athletes who reported a higher perceived task-related coach motivational climate (e.g., effort/improvement, important role, cooperative learning) reported more positive mental health indicators (i.e., wellbeing, resilience) and an increased sense of psychological safety. Further, athletes who perceived an ego-related climate that was more dominant in combination with a task-related climate reported lower levels of psychological safety. Future research exploring the additive effects of the motivational climate profiles on various mental health related outcomes may provide valuable information for influential key stakeholders in the sporting environment looking to positively impact the mental health of athletes.
Tapipano Toohan : the impact of organized basketball and the tipaachimowina (stories) of Fort Albany's players and their community supporters
(2023) Sackaney, Justin J.; Peltier, Cindy; Bruner, Mark; Faculty of Education
This thesis examines basketball experiences in the Mushkegowuk Cree community of Fort Albany (Peetabeck), Ontario. Peetabeck is a remote, fly-in community located 300 kilometers north of Timmins, Ontario, the nearest urban center, and location for the Northeastern Ontario Athletic Association (NEOAA) basketball league. Through tipaachimowina (stories), former student athletes (n = 5), their parents, (n = 1) and community members (n = 3) reflected on the impacts of participating in the NEOAA basketball league from 2011 to 2014. This inquiry examined the impacts of wholistic growth for student-athletes as well as the influence behind community spirit. Wholistic growth includes both the strengths-based Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework this thesis relies on and the outcomes that can be learned within sport and applied in other settings, also known as life skills. Tipaachimowina and thematic analysis were employed to tell a story and introduce a conceptual model highlighting the positive connections between the impact of Cree culture and basketball. There were five subthemes (relational connections, cultural connections, motivations, challenges, and strength building) illustrated along with twenty-five codes. The resulting subthemes and codes were discussed in terms of three overarching themes including (1) Cree culture as a foundation for sport, (2) sport as a facilitator for a strong body, mind, and spirt and (3) overcoming barriers. These themes are connected through a reciprocal relationship between basketball and Cree culture that provide the gifts needed to overcome barriers. The study findings support the role of sport as a facilitator to a strong body, mind, and spirit along with navigating and mitigating present-day barriers. This story is a gift, fueled by resiliency, which provides essential information to those who wish to enhance sports programs for Cree youth and promote wholistic growth.

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