Date of Defense

4-19-2022

Date of Graduation

4-2022

Department

Human Performance and Health Education

First Advisor

Beth Northuis

Second Advisor

Amy Seth

Third Advisor

Nicholas Hanson

Abstract

According to the American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) annual survey data, various modalities of resistance training are reported in the top 20 ways to exercise in 2022. According to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, there has been a significant increase in acute care visits resulting from resistance training as it becomes more common to train without proper professional oversight (Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 2010). Many exercisers watch, replicate, or take advice from friends in the weight room; however, professional instruction is key for a safe workout experience. Injuries can and do occur on resistance machines, treadmills, and stair mills with little to no guidance. Emergency rooms saw a 215% increase in resistance training injuries between 2003 and 2010 (Gray and Finch, 2014). The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible correlation between students who have experienced an injury in the weight room and their exercise education. Students who actively use the Recreation Center at Western Michigan were asked to complete a survey which included questions regarding preferred exercise modalities, training experiences, injuries, and other related topics. Results of these surveys show that there was no direct correlation, neither positive nor negative, between exercise education and exercise injuries sustained while resistance training. There was however a strong correlation between gender and difficulty returning to exercise following injury. There was an overall negative response from students regarding an equipment orientation course, both optional and required.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access

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