Award Date

5-15-2026

Degree Type

Doctoral Project

Degree Name

Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Department

Brain Health

First Committee Member

Sharon Jalene

Number of Pages

127

Abstract

Purpose: This feasibility study aimed to identify the impact of a high-intensity training (HIT) exercise protocol on healthy behaviors related to academics to decrease stress levels and enhance academic engagement and overall quality of life in young adult female students, measured by a modified version of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and the Occupational Experience Profile (OEP).

Methodology: One young adult female student enrolled at UNLV who is 18-25 years old was recruited via convenience sampling to engage in a 12-session HIT exercise program, developed by a certified personal trainer and licensed occupational therapist, with the participant’s target HR at 77-95% of their maximum heart rate (HRmax) for at least 20 minutes. Researchers used a quasiexperimental mixed-methods pre-post design to examine changes in occupational participation, healthy behaviors, and academic engagement.

Results: The participant’s NSSE mean score increased from 2.53 to 277 (9.5% increase) following the intervention. In addition, the OEP identified improved energy levels, sense of routine, and self-efficacy throughout the participant’s daily occupations.

Conclusion: These results indicate that engaging in a 12-session HIT protocol is feasible for young adult female students and may support overall healthy behaviors and enhanced academic engagement. These results highlight the need for the development of HIT programs for young adult female students across all appropriate settings for increased well-being and quality of life.

Keywords

academic engagement; high-intensity training; occupational therapy; young women

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Occupational Therapy | Rehabilitation and Therapy

File Format

PDF

File Size

8200 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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