Understanding the Human Body

location_on Location: Burlington B

(Links to papers / posters are embargoed until 4/7)

All times in Eastern Time Zone

• assignment_ind Edinger-VanAtta, M. “ In a Bind: A Case Study of Determining Nursing Best Practice ”
  Though nursing practice has and will always be deeply shrouded in tradition, recent changes in the field have made it clear that clinical research and a focus on evidence-based practice are paramount when it comes to providing quality patient care. Such changes have shown the need for a persistently inquisitive approach to every aspect of care in order to keep up with current knowledge, demanding that nurses at any level of practice continue to ask if what they are doing is best. This presentation outlines the process taken by both practicing nurses and researchers alike to glean direction from the literature, propose interventions definitively as best practice, and begin the process of implementing necessary changes in care. A third-year nursing student’s pursuit to address the issue of postoperative pain following major abdominal surgery acts as a case study, applying this framework of determining and implementing best practice to the nursing intervention of using an abdominal binder to attenuate postoperative pain. This presentation will outline the steps nurses must take in order to break tradition in favor of evidence-based practice and support and implement proposed changes in practice.
• assignment_ind Johnson, D. “ Does Using a Ketogenic Diet for a Two-Week Period Result in Better Metabolic Flexibility? ”
  Mark Sisson, a former elite endurance athlete, paleo diet expert, and originator of the primal blueprint, has a “key” to dieting: metabolic flexibility. His idea of metabolic flexibility, or the body’s ability to more efficiently utilize both fats and carbohydrates as energy more efficiently, is something that is not spoken of much in nutrition. Sisson has gone as far as to say metabolic flexibility is the “holy grail” of a proper diet. This research was completed to test his theory of metabolic flexibility by utilizing a ketogenic diet for two weeks, followed by six weeks of a modified diet that utilized low amounts of both fats and carbohydrates. This was to determine whether the body would be able to function effectively without relying on one particular energy source. There were two participants for this study: one of them followed a weight training program with a squat and bench press focus while the other was mostly sedentary. Measurements were taken to mark progress including the following: weight before and after; circumference measurements around the bicep, chest, waist, hips, and thigh before and after with both participants; and maximal strength in the squat and bench press before and after for the participant utilizing a weight training program. The results were fascinating and showed very strong promise in Sisson’s “holy grail” of proper eating. This research needs to be expanded on utilizing the data collected from this study, as well as application of new knowledge, further resources, and more participants.
• assignment_ind Pobanz, B., Alsaymary, H. & Daniels, T. “ Center of Mass Considerations and Levers in the Human Body and Their Effect on Judo Throws ”
  AbstractTitle: Center of Mass Considerations and Levers in the Human Body and Their Effect on Judo ThrowsBenjamin Pobanz, Indiana University South BendResearch into the physical exertion a martial artist undergoes as they perform throws was done by three researchers to determine the types of throws that best suit different body types. In competitions, Judo practitioners are divided by weight to exemplify their skill above their strength. However, it is shown that many smaller Judo practitioners have an easier time throwing larger opponents with particular throws. This can make training difficult, as some throws are difficult to perform on opponents of various sizes. The research done in this study shows how some throws are difficult for taller opponents due to their higher center of mass. Larger martial artists are able to use the natural levers of throws, the fulcrum between where a martial artist exerts force on their opponent and the opponent’s connection to the ground, as well as their ability to generate greater momentum to perform certain throws with more success than smaller practitioners. Nevertheless, some categories of throws rely on different lever systems, and certain practitioners may have an easier time performing certain technical throws, even with less mass than their opponent. This presentation will explain why this is the case. To complete this research, three throws were analyzed. Three martial artists were studied throwing three different ways, resulting in eighteen different scenarios. Each scenario was filmed and analyzed to assess the ease with which each throw was completed. This was compared to the relative centers of mass of the martial artist and the opponent as well as how they physically interacted during the throw. All throws were recorded and demonstrated at Life for Christ Kenpo, a Christ-centered martial arts school in South Bend, by students of the school.