JSU Student Symposium 2026

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  Short-Term Rhodiola rosea Supplementation on Cognition and Exercise Performance: A Randomized, Crossover, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Study

  Faith Bonness

  The hunt for a safe, natural supplement that enhances both physical performance and cognition is never-ending. Among the candidates, Rhodiola Rosea (RR) has gained attention for its adaptogenic effects. With RR primarily marketed as an adaptogen, its ergogenic potential has not been fully established. Its effects on exercise and cognitive function in resistance-trained adults remain understudied, especially regarding short-term dosing and dose-specific responses. This study addresses this uncertainty by investigating the dose-dependent effects of short-term RR supplementation on resistance exercise performance and executive function in resistance-trained adults.

  RR, often referred to as “golden root,” is traditionally known as an adaptogenic herb that consists of rosavin, rosin, rosarin, and salidroside. RR is recognized for helping the body tolerate stress, boost energy levels, and improve both mental and physical performance. Additionally, RR aids in elevating mood levels by decreasing anxiety and depression symptoms.

  Twenty-seven resistance-trained male and female athletes completed a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Each participant completed four supplemental treatments, each lasting seven days, in a randomized order: control (no supplement), placebo, low-dose RR (200 mg/day), and high-dose RR (1.5 g/day). These doses were based on prior literature, and a 7-day protocol was utilized to observe short-term effects while minimizing carryover. On the seventh day of supplementation, the participants completed cognitive and exercise performance assessments. Testing sessions required participants to fast for 12 hours and avoid exercising for 48 hours prior to arrival. Upon arrival, participants completed a side-effect questionnaire and determined their readiness to engage in exercise. Then they were instructed to ingest their last dose of the supplement. After sixty minutes of ingestion, the cognitive function assessments were completed. Next, the athletes performed 1RM tests for the leg press and bench press. Additionally, they performed three sets of these resistance exercises at 60% 1RM, with the last set being to failure. Lastly, athletes performed an anaerobic Wingate test. Post-exercise vital signs were monitored and recorded one minute after each assessment.

  Upon reviewing the study results, the findings revealed that short-term RR supplementation, regardless of dosage, improved resistance exercise performance and cognitive function in resistance-trained males and females. No consistent changes were observed for Wingate outcomes. Furthermore, resting and post-exercise hemodynamic measures did not display any meaningful differences, emphasizing the safety of RR supplementation. Overall, these outcomes suggest that RR has ergogenic effects, improving resistance exercise performance and cognitive performance, while remaining safe for short-term use. The observed improvements indicate that RR could be incorporated into future training regimens to optimize both resistance and cognitive performance.

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  The original presentation of the paper Short-Term Rhodiola rosea Supplementation on Cognition and Exercise Performance: A Randomized, Crossover, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Study was given at the Student Research Symposium on 6 March; this video is from the Student Research Symposium Awards Ceremony held 16 March 2026 at Merrill Hall Auditorium.

  This paper won Best in Discipline (Graduate) for the College of Health Professions and Wellness

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  2026 JSU Student Symposium Program

  Jacksonville State University

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  Effects of Prehabilitation on Outcomes Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Critically Appraised Topic

  David Johnson

  Context: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in athletes often require surgery followed by a lengthy rehabilitation process. In some cases, there is a delay from the time of injury to the time the athlete can have their surgery. Immobilization has been the most common way to protect the joint during the waiting period. There is research showing that “prehabilitation,” can better prepare athletes for surgery and improve recovery. This critically appraised topic examined whether prehabilitation prior to ACL reconstruction leads to improved postoperative strength, range of motion (ROM), functional outcomes, and return-to-play (RTP) timelines when compared to immobilization or no structured preoperative intervention.
  
  

  Methods: A computerized search was completed in October 2025. The search terms used were “ACL reconstruction”, “Prehabilitation”, “Athlete” “College”, and “Return to Sport”. Electronic databases used were PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria: Articles published between 2020-2025 and in the English Language. Exclusion criteria: Studies that included non-surgical patients, previous injuries, or animal populations. Validity of the selected studies was determined using the SPIRIT, SANRA, AMSTAR-2, CARE, and PRISMA checklists. One author independently reviewed the studies, scored each paper, and reviewed the completed appraisals to come to a consensus on the study quality.

  Results: The literature search retrieved 212 total articles and 207 were excluded based on the inclusion criteria, resulting in five studies. A majority of research claims that an athlete that performs prehabilitation will have a faster healing time, along with increased strength, functional ability of the knee after surgery, and faster return to play time when compared to patients that did not perform prehabilitation. Although this area of research is still in its early stages and further investigation is warranted, no adverse effects have been identified in the studies conducted to date.

  Conclusions: Prehabilitation is a safe and effective process that will better prepare athletes for postoperative recovery . Engaging in rehabilitation prior to surgical reconstruction has been associated with improvements in strength, range of motion, and neuromuscular function throughout the rehabilitation process and into the post-recovery phase. These findings suggest that targeted prehabilitation can meaningfully enhance recovery outcomes. Importantly, prehabilitation does not require advanced technology or expensive equipment; rather, its primary goals are to restore range of motion and maintain neuromuscular activation to prevent excessive muscle deconditioning. While additional high-quality research is warranted, current evidence supports the use of prehabilitation over immobilization when clinically appropriate.

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  The original presentation of the paper Effects of Prehabilitation on Outcomes Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Critically Appraised Topic was given at the Student Research Symposium on 6 March; this video is from the Student Research Symposium Awards Ceremony held 16 March 2026 at Merrill Hall Auditorium.

  This paper won Best in Category (Graduate) for Best Paper/Presentation

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  Are Former Athletes with Histories of Multiple Concussions at Increased Risk of Stroke Compared to Former Athletes with No Concussion History

  Devin Jones

  Context: The long-term neurological consequences of concussions have gained increased attention as more athletes report histories of repetitive head impacts. As a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, stroke is increasingly being investigated for its potential association with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), such as concussions. This critically appraised topic will investigate whether a history of multiple concussions increases the risk of stroke in former athletes compared to those with no concussion history.

  Methods: A computerized search was completed in October 2025. The search terms used were “concussion”, “stroke”, “athletes”, “traumatic brain injury”, and “cerebrovascular risk.” Electronic databases used were PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Library. Inclusion Criteria studies were included if they: were published in peer-reviewed journals, written in English, included adult former athletes or individuals with a documented history of concussion or mild TBI. Exclusion Criteria ruled the studies out that focused solely on moderate or severe TBI without stratification for concussion or mild TBI, included pediatrics populations only, did not report stroke or cerebrovascular-related outcomes, or were animal studies, editorials, or narrative reviews. Validity of the selected studies was determined using the PEDro Scale for randomized and controlled trials and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) for observational cohort and case-control studies. Diagnostic accuracy studies, when applicable, were evaluated using the QUADAS-2 checklist. One author independently appraised each study, with final quality determinations reached through consensus.

  Results: The literature search retrieved 790 total articles and 786 were excluded based on the inclusion criteria, resulting in 4 studies. The findings suggested that concussions and repetitive head trauma are associated with increased cerebrovascular vulnerability, particularly through mechanisms such as vascular injury, blood–brain barrier disruption, and impaired cerebral autoregulation. Epidemiological studies consistently showed elevated stroke risk following a TBI, including concussions, while athlete-specific data highlight this concern among those with extensive histories of head impacts.

  Conclusions: Although a direct causal relationship cannot be definitively established, the current body of evidence suggests that a history of multiple concussions is associated with an increased risk of long-term cerebrovascular complications, including stroke. These findings support the need for long-term monitoring of vascular and neurological health in former athletes with repeated concussion exposure. Limitations of the available literature include reliance on retrospective self-reported concussion history, heterogeneity in concussion definitions, and limited athlete-specific stroke data. Future research should prioritize prospective, athlete-focused longitudinal studies that control cardiovascular risk factors and quantify cumulative head impact exposure. For the athletic training profession, these findings underscore the importance of concussion prevention strategies, patient education, and long-term health counseling as part of comprehensive athlete care.

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  The original presentation of the paper Are Former Athletes with Histories of Multiple Concussions at Increased Risk of Stroke Compared to Former Athletes with No Concussion History was given at the Student Research Symposium on 6 March; this video is from the Student Research Symposium Awards Ceremony held 16 March 2026 at Merrill Hall Auditorium.

  This paper won Best in Category for Best of Showcase

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  Does Snail Host Size Matter for Infections by Parasitic Flatworms?

  Anna Meadows

  Alabama’s freshwater streams are considered a global hotspot for snail diversity. Freshwater periwinkles are one of the most common and diverse snail groups in the southeastern United States, yet surprisingly little is known about their biology or their role in stream ecosystems. These snails are also essential hosts for the early life stages of parasitic flatworms, many of which remain poorly studied. One such snail, Elimia godwini, is found only in streams and springs in Calhoun County, Alabama. This species hosts an unusually large parasite, Proterometra epholkus, which was first described from these local snails. Because the parasite is nearly as large as its snail host, and previous studies suggest that larger snails are more likely to be infected, we predicted that larger snails would show higher infection rates. In fall 2025, 115 snails were collected from a local stream in Jacksonville, Alabama. Each snail was measured and examined for parasites. Of the snails collected, 25 were infected. Surprisingly, infected snails were not larger than uninfected snails, indicating that even small snails support growth of large parasites. These results raise new questions about how parasites interact with their snail hosts and whether similar patterns occur in other streams. Overall, this study highlights how much remains to be learned about the hidden biodiversity and ecological relationships in Alabama’s freshwater ecosystems.

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  The original presentation of the paper Does Snail Host Size Matter for Infections by Parasitic Flatworms? was given at the Student Research Symposium on 6 March; this video is from the Student Research Symposium Awards Ceremony held 16 March 2026 at Merrill Hall Auditorium.

  This paper won Best in Discipline (Undergraduate) for Science and Math for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences

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  The Iliad and The Odyssey: A Cultural Memory of Enslavement

  Alexius Randall

  The purpose of this paper is to argue that The Iliad and The Odyssey function as cultural memories of enslavement in the ancient Mediterranean, as well as preserving social realities of slavery from the Bronze Age despite the limited material evidence following the Collapse. Drawing on theories of cultural memory, this analyzation treats Homer’s epics not only as literary texts, but as catalysts through which knowledge about war, labor, and social hierarchy was transmitted across generations through oral tradition.

  This paper uses close readings of Robert Fagles’ translations to examine three central aspects of enslavement such as; how enslaved people were acquired, how they were treated and described, and what forms of labor they performed. In The Iliad, the capture of women such as Briseis and Chryseis reveals the normalization of enslavement as a byproduct of warfare, with women explicitly framed as “prizes” and commodities. The Odyssey, in contrast, offers a more domestic portrayal of slavery through figures such as Eumaeus and Eurycleia, highlighting loyalty, household jobs, and the possibility of benevolent treatment under certain masters. Using Orlando Patterson’s concept of “social death,” this paper demonstrates how enslaved women remain fully alienated from honor and moral recognition. When read alongside archaeological evidence such as Linear B tablets and material culture, these Homeric epics emerge as powerful cultural memories that preserve both the routines and the violence of ancient enslavement.

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  The original presentation of the paper The Iliad and The Odyssey: A Cultural Memory of Enslavement was given at the Student Research Symposium on 6 March; this video is from the Student Research Symposium Awards Ceremony held 16 March 2026 at Merrill Hall Auditorium.

  This paper won Best in Discipline (Undergraduate) for Arts and Humanities for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences

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  A Literature Review of Symbiotic Relationships between Spiders and Other Organisms

  Asel Richards

  Although parasitism and predation are known forms of antagonism within the spider community, there is little understanding of other forms of symbiotic interactions between spiders and other organisms. I selected peer-reviewed scientific articles using the key words spiders, commensalism, mutualism, and relationship. Mutualism is defined as an interaction in which both parties' benefit; commensalism is defined as an interaction in which one party benefits while the other receives no benefits or harm; parasitism is defined as an interaction in which one party benefits and the other party is harmed. I evaluated research approaches (survey, nonmanipulated hypothesis field testing, manipulated laboratory testing, phylogeny, and modeling) to determine which category interactions between spiders and other organisms (plants, other spiders, fungi, insect, or other animals) fell. I also evaluated whether or not the interaction fell on a sliding scale that deviated into another form of symbiosis. I found 50 articles ranging from 1987 to 2024 and most studies are from a global perspective, including America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Most studies (80%) used a nonmanipulated hypothesis field testing approach followed by manipulated lab testing, surveys, modeling, and phylogeny. The most common interactions studied were spider-plant interactions (40%) followed by spider-animal interactions, spider-spider and spider-insect interactions, and spider-fungi interactions. The most common type of interaction was commensalism followed by mutualism and parasitism. Nearly half (42%) of the interactions were on a sliding scale that morphed into a different type of interaction. This literature review highlights the vast array of interactions in which spiders are involved. There are research gaps in the evolutionary side of these interactions, limiting our knowledge of how these interactions originated and persisted over a timescale. Further research will help us better understand how these complex spider relationships shape the ecosystem and ecosystem processes.

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  The original presentation of the paper A Literature Review of Symbiotic Relationships between Spiders and Other Organisms was given at the Student Research Symposium on 6 March; this video is from the Student Research Symposium Awards Ceremony held 16 March 2026 at Merrill Hall Auditorium.

  This paper won the Houston Cole Library Award for Research Excellence

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  The Ballistics of Reloaded Ammunition

  Samantha Trivette

  Ballistics investigations play a vital role in the investigation of violence-related crimes by allowing for identification and comparison of bullets and cartridges from potential source weapons. Included in this analysis is the growing challenge of reloaded ammunition, which is simply recycled cartridge casings, altering or obscuring important markings reliable for firearm identification. This study examines how reloaded cartridges can affect the forensic traceability and evidentiary value of ammunition.

  Using narrative literature review informed by case studies, this research formulates information from various forensic science studies, technical reports, and practitioner-focused literature related to cartridge case usage and ballistic comparison methods. This information helps to highlight how varying reloading practices and materials, such as resizing, replacing primers, and varying propellant compositions, can complicate forensic interpretation of chemical and physical markings, including firing pin impressions, breech face markings, and extractor and ejector markings.

  Findings from the reviewed literature suggest that reloaded ammunition introduces serious analytical challenges to the analysis of ammunition, leading to delayed investigations and reduced examination confidence, particularly in cases involving rounds fired multiple times or from mixed ammunition sources. However, new techniques such as advanced microscopy and software-assisted comparisons could help future practitioners in mitigating these limitations. This presentation overall highlights key gaps in the current research of reloaded ammunition as well as discussing the implications on forensic practice and protocol, ideally shaping future experimental studies to improve forensic reliability of ballistic evidence involving reloaded ammunition.

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  The original presentation of the paper The Ballistics of Reloaded Ammunition was given at the Student Research Symposium on 6 March; this video is from the Student Research Symposium Awards Ceremony held 16 March 2026 at Merrill Hall Auditorium.

  This paper won Best in Category (Undergraduate) for Best Paper/Presentation

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  The Growth and Challenges of Women’s Professional Sports Leagues

  Chloey Dale Williams

  Women’s professional sports leagues have experienced significant growth in visibility, investment, and cultural relevance in recent years; however, substantial obstacles persist that limit their full potential. This pilot study examines college students’ awareness, perceptions, and engagement with women’s professional sports to better understand both the progress and the persistent challenges facing these leagues. Data were collected through an online survey distributed to undergraduate students at Jacksonville State University, focusing on familiarity with women’s leagues, media consumption habits, and opinions regarding media coverage and gender equity in sports. Results indicate that while most students are aware of major leagues such as the WNBA, awareness of other leagues remains limited. Participants overwhelmingly believe that women’s sports receive less media coverage than men’s, and most reported only occasional or indirect engagement via social media highlights rather than full-game viewership. These findings align with the existing literature, which identifies media visibility, pay inequality, and structural barriers as key challenges. The study concludes that although interest in women’s professional sports is increasing, sustained growth will depend on improved media access, strategic marketing, and continued investment in league infrastructure and athlete development.

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  The original presentation of the paper The Growth and Challenges of Women’s Professional Sports Leagues was given at the Student Research Symposium on 6 March; this video is from the Student Research Symposium Awards Ceremony held 16 March 2026 at Merrill Hall Auditorium.

  This paper won Best in Discipline (Undergraduate) for the College of Health Professions and Wellness

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  Teaching the Heart: An Impact Study Evaluating the Effects of Scaffolded Multimodal Instruction on Circulatory System Understanding and Scientific Communication

  Jakob Williams

  The original presentation of the paper Teaching the Heart: An Impact Study Evaluating the Effects of Scaffolded Multimodal Instruction on Circulatory System Understanding and Scientific Communication was given at the Student Research Symposium on 6 March; this video is from the Student Research Symposium Awards Ceremony held 16 March 2026 at Merrill Hall Auditorium.

  This paper won Best in Discipline (Undergraduate) for the College of Education and Professional Studies

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  Intermediates or Intermedius? An Examination of Lotic Sternotherus in Baldwin and Mobile Counties, AL

  Peyton Wilson

  The original presentation of the paper Intermediates or intermedius? An Examination of Lotic Sternotherus in Baldwin and Mobile Counties, AL was given at the Student Research Symposium on 6 March; this video is from the Student Research Symposium Awards Ceremony held 16 March 2026 at Merrill Hall Auditorium.

  
  This paper won Best in Discipline (Graduate) for Science and Math for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences