This thesis project will discuss how the three macronutrients, protein, carbohydrate and fat, benefit the body and what happens when the body is lacking in any of them. It also delves into micronutrients and supplements and how those can aid in the recovery process following an injury. Inflammation and sleep as well as mood disturbances are also explained. Meal options are available in the second half of this paper displaying pictures of nutritional meals along with their ingredients, instructions and calories. This project displays how a lack of protein can decrease muscle protein synthesis, how carbohydrate deficiency can lead to fatigue and more injury and how Omega-3 fatty acids are more beneficial than Omega-6 fatty acids. In addition, the paper discusses how vitamins, such as vitamin D and C, are important in providing bone strength and preventing excess inflammation. Supplements are reported to be beneficial, however, a disadvantage of consuming nutrients from a synthetic source can rob the athlete of a healthy mixture of nutrients and minerals. Overall, consumption of proper nutrients can aid in the recovery process following an injury and sleep is an important factor that should also be considered while the body heals.

Down syndrome (DS) is caused by either an extra copy of chromosome 21 or by extra material on chromosome 21. This causes various levels of intellectual disability and issues with gross motor skill development which can prevent these individuals from participating in activities of daily living (ADL) such as getting dressed, self-care, or grocery shopping. People with DS have a decreased ability to balance, an abnormal and slower gait pattern, difficulty adapting to new environments, and a lack of improvement in these areas with growth and development when compared to their neurotypical peers. The objective of this study was to determine the immediate effects of resistance training (RT) and assisted cycle therapy (ACT) on adults with DS’s balance ability and gait speed. Each participant completed one session of RT, ACT (stationary cycling with the assistance of a motor to maintain a cadence of at least 35% greater than their voluntary cycling speed), and no training in a randomly selected order. Balance and gait speed were measured by a Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (CTSIB) (i.e., eyes open firm surface, eyes closed firm surface, eyes open foam surface, eyes closed foam surface) on a Balance Tracking System Board (Btracks board) and by a Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. A total of ten participants’ data was used for analysis. The measures of total path length (cm), anterior-posterior (AP) excursion, and medial-lateral (ML) excursion were used to analyze the CTSIB. The average time was used to analyze the TUG test. The results showed that the eyes closed foam surface balance task was the most challenging balance task for every participant in every intervention. Furthermore, the most improvement was evident in the eyes closed foam surface balance task from pre to post intervention in all of the interventions. Post hoc tests also indicated statistically significant improvements of path length from pre to post in the RT intervention with the eyes closed foam surface balance task as well as with AP excursion in the ACT intervention with the eyes closed foam surface balance task. Possible explanations for improvements from pre to post in the eyes closed foam balance task across all interventions will be discussed with respect to the length of the intervention, and the effect of strength, social and learned factors on balance in adults with DS.

Accessing adequate healthcare, particularly essential services like physical therapy, presents a significant challenge for individuals with Down syndrome. This demographic often encounters obstacles such as limited accessibility, scarce resources, and a lack of tailored solutions that specifically address their unique needs. The resulting disparity leads to inconsistent care and suboptimal healthcare experiences. Recognizing the importance of eliminating these barriers is crucial to create a more inclusive healthcare environment for individuals with Down syndrome. Rainbow Monster Madness serves as a multifaceted solution to the social determinants of health that significantly impact individuals with Down syndrome. The game's design directly tackles several of these determinants by offering accessible, engaging, and family-centered therapy. In terms of healthcare access and quality, the game empowers parents to actively participate in their child's therapy, ensuring the correct administration of exercises and the consistent provision of quality care. The game's design addresses neighborly and built environment determinants by providing an accessible and inclusive therapy option that can be implemented within the comfort of one's home. This approach fosters a sense of safety and familiarity for children undergoing therapy, promoting a more relaxed and conducive environment. Additionally, Rainbow Monster Madness encourages social community engagement by fostering a collaborative atmosphere between parents and children during therapy sessions. This collaborative approach creates a supportive and engaging environment, positively impacting the overall therapeutic experience. Adhering to the principles of Self-Determination Theory, the game cultivates intrinsic motivation and psychological well-being among children with Down syndrome. This approach enables active engagement in therapy and contributes to their overall health and well-being. The exercises included in Rainbow Monster Madness are carefully selected to cater to the unique needs of individuals with Down syndrome. This regimen combines muscle-strengthening, cardio, and balance exercises, tailored to this specific population. The modification of exercises and thematic design ensures that children remain enthusiastic about their therapy, ultimately promoting better adherence and more effective results. In summary, Rainbow Monster Madness represents a comprehensive solution to the multitude of challenges faced by individuals with Down syndrome in accessing healthcare. Simultaneously, it addresses the broader social determinants of health, thereby fostering a healthier and more inclusive future for this deserving population.

This review of research aimed to explore and understand the benefits of transferable life skills learned through playing sports. Life skills are internal assets, characteristics, and skills that are developed from certain experiences and are beneficial if not necessary to complete daily tasks. Life skills can further be broken down into emotional, cognitive, and social subcategories. During this review of research, it was found that participation in sports programs may enhance the acquisition or improvement of these personal assets due to the development of physical, emotional, psychological, and social aspects, which can be transferred to different areas of life, such as work, school, and family. This leads us to hypothesize that participation in sports can be beneficial when it comes to developing life skills that are used in all aspects of life. The current body of literature suggests that Youth sports should be encouraged from a young age for the obvious physical benefits and behind-the-scenes psychological benefits.

This research paper examines the impact of journaling on anxiety and team cohesion on a women’s beach volleyball team (n=12). Each athlete was given a 30-Day Reset Journal to complete and asked to complete a mid and end of program survey assessing their anxiety and team cohesion levels. The team head coach (n=1) was asked to have weekly discussions with the team about the journal and respond to a mid and end of program survey assessing if they perceived their team was benefiting from the journal. Athlete anxiety results were broken into four categories: Total Anxiety (p value: 0.40), Worry Score (p value: 0.41), Concentration Disruption Score (p value: 0.82), and Somatic Trait Score (p value: 0.20). Team cohesion results were displayed in five categories: Total Team Cohesion (p value: 0.46), Purpose and Goals (p value: 0.17), Team Relationships (p value: 0.26), Problem Solving (p value: 0.85), and Skills and Learning (p value: 0.47). Although anxiety scores did overall decrease, the data reflected no significant difference between the middle and end surveys. Team cohesion results also displayed decreases with no significant difference between the two surveys. Throughout the study, only four statements within the survey displayed significant change between mid and end program surveys (three anxiety and one team cohesion). Though results were not found to be significant, this study provides some insight into the potential benefits journaling can offer athletes in lowering their anxiety and how placing an emphasis on team discussion with a focus on goal development and shared purpose can increase team cohesion.

Cannabinoid (CBD) is a product from the cannabis plant that has shown to provide many benefits and little risk of side effects. A survey was conducted with a focus on three populations: athletes, performers, and the general population. It was found that 23 out of 58 participants (40%) use CBD for a variety of reasons. 35% of CBD users use it for anxiety, 39% use it for soreness, and 26% use it for other reasons. Out of the 35 participants who do not use CBD 15 people said they would be willing to try CBD products. It was found that while people who use CBD found it to be effective many people throughout all three populations do not have much knowledge about CBD and its benefits. As more research is conducted and released, more people will be inclined to use it.