The Effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence in Fall Risk Assessment for Older Adults

Ian Church, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Falls in older adults are a leading cause of injury, hospitalization, and reduced independence, with significant healthcare costs and impacts on quality of life. Traditional fall risk assessments (e.g., clinical tests) are time-consuming, subjective, and may lack predictive accuracy. Advances in wearable sensors, AI, and machine learning offer real-time, objective, and scalable solutions for fall risk prediction and prevention. The purpose of this review is to synthesize current evidence on Artificial Intelligence-driven fall risk assessment tools and highlight gaps for future research.

The Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Preventing Ischemic Strokes in Postmenopausal Women

Riley Shopp, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

This research project examines the effects of aerobic exercise in reducing the risk of ischemic strokes among postmenopausal women. Across several studies, consistent moderate-intensity cardiovascular activity—such as walking, cycling, and swimming—was associated with improved blood pressure, lipid profiles, and overall heart health. Findings support aerobic exercise as an effective preventive strategy.

The Effects of an External Focus of Attention on Reaction Time and Execution of the 100m Dash

Ryan Castro, Other Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

This research project investigates how an external focus of attention influences both reaction time and overall performance in the 100-meter dash. By analyzing and synthesizing findings from recent peer-reviewed studies, the project aims to clarify whether directing an athlete’s attention toward external outcomes, rather than internal body mechanics, leads to more effective sprint execution and faster start times. The goal is to provide practical insights that can inform coaching strategies and improve competitive sprint performance.

The effects of combined oral contraceptives on mood and affect: A meta-analysis

Povheng Yam, Psychology Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Combined oral contraceptive (COC) pills are used more commonly than any other method of contraception, with over 22 million users worldwide. Although many studies have investigated the potential health-related side effects of hormonal contraceptive use, relatively less research has investigated the potential psychological side effects of COCs despite the fact that many women anecdotally report such side effects. The current meta-analysis analyzes mood outcomes in the literature and finds a small but significant mood improvement following initiation of COCs.

The Effects of Combined Oral Contraceptives on Mood and Affect: A Meta-Analysis

Camille Burns, Psychology Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Combined oral contraceptive (COC) pills are widely used by women of reproductive age, but there is still little conclusive evidence about their mood-related side effects. This meta-analysis examined the relationship between oral contraceptive use and mood effects such as depression and anxiety. The results of the meta-analysis suggest that COCs contribute to a small but significant improvement in women’s overall moods. However, methodological challenges and inconsistencies make it difficult for researchers to establish any firm conclusions about the role COCs play in mood changes.

The Effects of Microalbuminuria Testing for Providing Recommendations for Potential Treatments in Diabetic Patients with Kidney Damage

Danielle Lositzki, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Microalbuminuria testing is crucial for early detection of kidney damage in diabetic patients, as it identifies levels of albumin in the urine, signaling potential nephropathy. Early identification enables timely interventions such as lifestyle modifications, blood sugar control, and the use of medications like ACE inhibitors or ARBs to slow disease progression and protect kidney function. Regular monitoring of microalbuminuria helps guide treatment adjustments, improving patient outcomes and preventing further kidney deterioration.

The Effects of Outdoor Physical Therapy Sessions on Depression and Overall Recovery Rate in Elderly Patients

Elizabeth Cameron, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

This research explores how integrating outdoor environments into elderly rehabilitation programs may improve patient outcomes. Traditional rehabilitation often occurs in clinical indoor settings, but growing evidence suggests natural environments can enhance physical recovery and mental health. This study investigates whether outdoor therapy positively influences mobility, endurance, mood, and stress levels in elderly patients, aiming to highlight the potential for nature-based rehabilitation practices.

The Effects of Phonetic Convergence and Auditory Imagery on Reading

College of Professional Studies

This study aimed to address whether phonetic convergence (i.e., speech imitation) and auditory imagery with respect to reading (i.e., "hearing" the voice of a text's author) are fundamentally governed by the same process — episodic encoding (c.f., Goldinger, 1998). This would provide an explanation for why we shift the way we speak when reading text written by a familiar author. The results of this study suggest that these two phenomena may actually be governed by differing processes. However, further research is needed to provide support for a more definitive conclusion.

The Effects of Positive and Negative Reinforcement From Coaches in Collegiate Student-Athletes

Ciera Pyle, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Research on the effects of positive and negative reinforcement from coaches in collegiate student-athletes and how it effects performance and an individuals sense of autonomy. Coaching has been found to influence not only the individual internally and externally, but the environment around them aiding in the development of the athlete, student, and individual as a whole.

The Effects of Secondary Cognitive Tasks on Performance of the 3-Meter Tandem Gait in Concussed and Non-Concussed Individuals

College of Professional Studies

Identifying sport-related concussions occurs on the sidelines with tests utilized by athletic trainers and other field-side professionals. The Tandem Gait (TG) is a commonly used side line dynamic balance test that has only moderate sensitivity when used alone. Research has demonstrated that incorporating a secondary simultaneous task (i.e. dual-task) to amplify differences in TG performance following injury may amplify the difference due to a concussion. However, a dual-task TG has yet to be established as a clinical assessment of concussion. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of secondary cognitive tasks on performance of the TG in concussed and non-concussed individuals.