Honors Theses
Advisor
Anne R. Crecelius, Ph.D.
Department
Health and Sport Science
Publication Date
12-2022
Document Type
Honors Thesis
Abstract
Motor control performance and the cybernetic interactions of man and machine have become of interest to researchers in the fields of physiology and aviation. This field of research is vital for the success and safety of pilots of both military and commercial backgrounds. There is little research that aims to understand the relationship between brain blood flow and motor control performance. The compounding impact hypoxia can have on these variables is similarly unknown. We utilized a joystick-based virtual beam-ball rolling tilt task to assess motor control performance. In comparing cardiovascular measures during hypoxia and normoxia trials, it was seen that the hypoxic environment elicited changes in heart rate, oxygenation, and brain blood flow. Motor control performance remained intact, however, statistically significant delays in the onset of the motor control task were observed during the hypoxic trial. Altogether, the results suggest there was adequate perfusion due to the increased cerebral blood flow that matched the metabolic demand of the motor control task, mitigating overall motor control performance deficits.
Permission Statement
This item is protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) and may only be used for noncommercial, educational, and scholarly purposes.
Keywords
Undergraduate research
Disciplines
Exercise Physiology | Exercise Science | Kinesiology
eCommons Citation
Kompa, Paige M., "Effects of Systemic Hypoxia on Motor Control Performance and Brain Blood Flow in Healthy, Young Humans" (2022). Honors Theses. 383.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/uhp_theses/383
