Shannon K Crowley

Shannon K Crowley
North Carolina Wesleyan College | NCWC · Math and Sciences Division

PhD

About

77
Publications
8,049
Reads
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552
Citations
Introduction
My research interests are focused on psycho-biological aspects of exercise and physical activity, and in particular, stress-related mechanisms by which exercise may help to prevent and treat depression and anxiety disorders.
Additional affiliations
August 2015 - present
North Carolina Wesleyan College
Position
  • Professor (Assistant)
July 2013 - July 2015
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Position
  • NIH T-32 Postdoctoral Fellow
May 2000 - June 2002
University of Northern Iowa
Position
  • Research Assistant
Education
July 2013 - July 2015
August 2009 - July 2013
University of South Carolina
Field of study
  • Exercise Science
August 1996 - May 2000
University of Northern Iowa
Field of study
  • Science

Publications

Publications (77)
Article
Full-text available
A robust epidemiological literature suggests an association between chronic stress and the development of affective disorders. However, the precise biological underpinnings of this relationship remain elusive. Central to the human response and adaptation to stress, activation and inhibition of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis involves...
Article
Full-text available
Introduction: Mental health-related problems are a significant cause of attrition during basic combat training (BCT). Evidence in civilian populations suggests that physical fitness is associated with psychological benefits in civilians, but little is known about the association between physical fitness and psychological adjustment during BCT. Me...
Article
Full-text available
Rationale Anxiety during pregnancy has been linked to adverse maternal health outcomes, including postpartum depression (PPD). However, there has been limited study of biological mechanisms underlying behavioral predictors of PPD during pregnancy. Objectives Considering the shared etiology of chronic stress amongst antenatal behavioral predictors,...
Chapter
Depression, predicted to be the second leading cause of global disability burden by 2020, is twice as common in women versus men. In addition, women are roughly twice as likely to suffer from anxiety disorders, compared to men. Observations that mood and anxiety disorder prevalence appears to increase concomitant with reproductive steroid hormone c...
Article
Epidemiological studies suggest that cardiorespiratory fitness (CRfitness) is associated with reduced risk of depression and anxiety in women, however, the mechanisms by which CRfitness may be protective against the development of these disorders are less clear. Because sleep problems are associated with both a higher risk for mental illness and al...
Poster
Full-text available
The isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) test using the traditional bar grip (Bar) is a reliable and effective way to measure strength performance in different populations. In addition, IMTP performance has been linked to jump performance. Recent research has shown that the pelvic belt (Pel) IMTP method produces higher absolute and relative peak force v...
Poster
Full-text available
PURPOSE: Research suggests that women are nearly twice as likely to develop mood and anxiety disorders, compared to men, and it has been suggested that reproductive-related hormones, such as estradiol (E2), may play a key role in increased susceptibility to mood and anxiety disorders in some women, perhaps via impacts on behavioral and physiologica...
Article
BACKGROUND: Periodical testing during the competitive season is critical for optimal performance in soccer. In this study, we investigated seasonal changes in women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III soccer players utilizing laboratory-based physical performance tests and game global positing system (GPS) metrics. METHOD...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Over the years, a number of studies have examined the relationship between neuromuscular performance and sprint times, however, the data on NCAA Division III female soccer players is limited. PURPOSE: To examine this specific relationship in this athletic population. METHODS: Sixteen members of an NCAA Division III women's soccer team (mean ± SD):...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Several studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that NCAA Division III female soccer players may not be at peak anaerobic condition at the onset of the competitive season. It has also been demonstrated that there is a fair amount of countermovement jump (CMJ) performance variability between these players. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
The isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) test is an effective and reliable method to measure strength performance in various populations. Using portable force plates, previous research had compared a bar grip (Bar) to a pelvic belt (Pel) method of the IMTP test and demonstrated good test-retest reliability. However, there is a limited data on sex differ...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
PURPOSE: Sleep disturbances are commonly reported following an SRC, and sleep problems after an SRC have been linked to poorer long-term recovery and mood symptoms. The aims of this study were to (1) investigate the relationship between objectively-measured sedentary behavior and sleep and mood disturbances, in athletes with a recent SRC; and (2) t...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Two studies from our laboratory demonstrated that NCAA Division III male and female soccer players improve off-field aerobic and anaerobic performance measures during the competitive soccer season. Yet, competitive soccer season GPS-derived metrics in this population are limited. PURPOSE: To examine GPSderived metrics changes in female National Col...
Poster
Full-text available
INTRODUCTION: Evidence suggests that sport-related concussion (SRC) may increase the risk for depression, but the precise mechanisms underlying the link between SRC and depression risk are not fully understood. Considering that sleep problems are frequently reported following SRC, and that sleep disturbances are also strongly linked to the developm...
Poster
Full-text available
The Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a substantial impact on PA behavior, and has created unique challenges for PA promotion (stay at home orders, gym closures, etc.). To better target PA promoting interventions, more research is needed on the influence of COVID-19 on barriers and facilitators of PA behavior. This study aime...
Poster
Full-text available
Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world and can be described as involving intervals of short sprints with brief recovery periods over ninety minutes (Stølen et al., 2005). Both the aerobic and anaerobic systems are required in order for athletes to successfully participate in a game of soccer. Every 60-90 seconds a high-intensity acti...
Presentation
Full-text available
Studies show that rates of depression have increased during the Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and that this may be due, in part, to increased levels of chronic stress and social isolation. Physical activity (PA) has been shown to help prevent the development of depression, and public health messaging during the COVID-19 pandemic...
Article
Full-text available
Introduction Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent consequence of combat with significant associated morbidity. Available treatments for PTSD have had limitations, suggesting a need to explore alternative or adjuvant treatments. Numerous rationales for bright light treatment of PTSD include its benefits for common PTSD comorbidities...
Poster
Full-text available
BACKGROUND: Functional Movement Screening (FMS) is typically used as a pre-and post-sports participation tool that examines the athlete's ability to maintain balance, core strength, range of motion, flexibility and stability, which are all components of optimal sports performance. In FMS, higher scores indicate a greater ability to perform one of s...
Poster
Full-text available
Research suggests that sitting time may be an independent predictor of negative health outcomes, including mental health disorders. Additionally, sitting time has been shown to be predictive of adverse health outcomes, even after accounting for physical activity (PA) levels. However, to date, there is limited investigation of the mechanisms by whic...
Article
here are limited data pertaining to the effects of sex on sprint interval cycling (SIC) training session performance. Purpose: We investigated sex-based differences on sprint interval cycling (SIC) performance in collegiate soccer players. Methods: Twelve men and twelve women completed two identical lab trials, 7–14 days apart. The first lab sessio...
Poster
Full-text available
BACKGROUND: Over the years, several studies have examined the physiological profile of elite male and female soccer players. However, normative anthropometric and performance data for NCAA Division III female soccer players are limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine anthropometric and performance related variables in this popu...
Poster
Full-text available
Community dwelling women (18-45yr), who were medication-free at study enrollment and who had regular menstrual cycles were enrolled into this study. Following a two-tiered screening process, participants completed : (1) a saliva collection study visit [including anthropometrics measurements, PA assessment via self report (IPAQ short form), and sali...
Poster
Full-text available
The research project investigate the relationship between physical fitness and stress-related disturbances, and the stress-related physiological mechanisms which might underlie this relationship.
Poster
A recent investigation has demonstrated that an active recovery leads to a greater mean anaerobic power output when more than two Wingate Anaerobic Cycle Tests (WAnT) are performed successively. However, to date, less is known regarding the impact of sex on successive WAnT performances Purpose: To determine the effect of sex on six repeated WAnT pe...
Article
Full-text available
There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that nonpharmacological interventions have an appropriate place in the treatment of major depressive disorders (MDDs) as both stand-alone and supplemental treatments. Because women may be reluctant to use psychotropic medications due to strong values or treatment preferences during specific reproductiv...
Article
Full-text available
Anecdotal accounts indicate that Basic Combat Training (BCT) is associated with significant sleep impairment, which conceivably could impact health, attrition, and training. However, there has been little empirical investigation of sleep during BCT. The aim of this study was to obtain a qualitative assessment of soldiers' perceptions about their sl...
Article
Full-text available
Perinatal depression is an important public health problem affecting 10-20% of childbearing women. Perinatal depression is associated with significant morbidity, and has enormous consequences for the well-being of the mother and child. Treatment of depression during the perinatal period poses a complex problem for both mother and clinician, as anti...
Article
Full-text available
As much of the aberrant neural development in Down syndrome (DS) occurs postnatally, an early opportunity exists to intervene and influence life-long cognitive development. Recent success using neural progenitor cells (NPC) in models of adult neurodegeneration indicate such therapy may be a viable option in diseases such as DS. Murine NPC (mNPC, C1...
Data
Visible platform training and platform crossings were similar between all groups in the MWM. A. Trisomic mice as a group had longer average latencies to reach the visible platform, however all groups improved their performances over the four trials, as indicated by the parallel lines. B. In the probe trial, all groups had a similar number of platfo...
Data
Astrocyte presence in the hippocampus of 16 week old brains revealed no gliotic scarring. Disomic/No tx (A) and Trisomic/No tx (C) mice had ubiquitous and evenly spaced GFAP+ astrocytes, which did not appear to have an activated morphology. No brain sections were found that had a condensation of reactive astrocytes suggestive of a gliotic scar. No...
Data
Treatment did not alter weight gain in pups. Typical for trisomic pups, their weights were lower than their disomic littermates (p<0.001). The implantation of saline or mNPC did not alter the weight gain of either group (p>0.05). Mean weight values of each karyotype/treatment group of pups are shown. *Significantly different weight at PND 21 betwee...
Data
All groups had similar total exploration times in the NOR. There was large intragroup variability on both days of exploration, especially for No treatment and Saline treated groups of both karyotypes. All groups explored significantly less on Day 2. Mean ± SEM shown. (TIF)
Data
Microglial presence in the hippocampus did not change with mNPC implantation. Resting Iba1+ microglia were spaced evenly throughout the hippocampus in untreated disomic (A) and untreated trisomic (C) brains. The same pattern of distribution was seen in Disomic/mNPC (B) and Trisomic/mNPC (D). (B) and (D) were double labeled for Iba1 and GFP, resulti...
Data
Both disomic and trisomic mice consumed similar volumes of CS on Training Day. There was no significant difference in the amount (mLs) of CS consumed by either karyotype or treatment group on first exposure (p>0.05). Data subsequently was normalized to the average drinking behavior for each animal to account for individual variations. (TIF)
Data
Number of animals used in each cognitive test. (TIF)
Article
Full-text available
There are emerging links between disturbed sleep and mental illness. These associations may have particular relevance for military populations which are often faced with extremely stressful situations and profound sleep deprivation. Indeed, disturbed sleep has been predictive of mental illness following exposure to trauma, and, conversely, treatmen...
Article
We examined the independent and joint associations of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and parental diabetes history on type 2 diabetes risk. A cohort of 11,627 individuals aged 20-79 years was free of baseline diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. We measured CRF using a maximal treadmill exercise test, and parental diabetes by a medical hi...
Article
Although evidence of damage-directed neural stem cell (NSC) migration has been well-documented in the rodent, to our knowledge it has never been confirmed or quantified using human NSC (hNSC) in an adult non-human primate modeling a human neurodegenerative disease state. In this report, we attempt to provide that confirmation, potentially advancing...
Article
Full-text available
Neural crest cells (NCCs) exit the dorsal neural tube and migrate to sites where they form diverse tissues. Valproic acid (VPA) is an anticonvulsant drug that induces neural tube and related defects. Altered NCC migration and proliferation have been proposed as mechanisms of teratogenicity. We cultured neural tube segments from chick embryos in 0.7...

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