SKIP TO PAGE CONTENT
Menu

Najely Ascacio

Najely Ascacio

McNair Scholar 2024

  • Major(s): Sports & Exercise Science, Pre-Med
  • Classification: Junior
  • Anticipated Graduation Date: Spring 2025
  • Career Aspirations: After attaining a bachelor’s degree, Najely plans to become a Physician Assistant (PA) that works with a professional sports team or possibly in the pediatric field. She also hopes to be able to work in underserved communities around the world. She also intends to own a business in the future, in addition to creating her own program that assists students in receiving a higher education.

“The best part of this experience was realizing that I am capable of learning and doing things I never thought possible. I enjoyed gaining graduate-level research experience and getting to know my cohort along the way. I met many amazing and inspiring people that I was able to connect with and feel seen by in a way. It was truly one of the best experiences I have had at WT.”

najely-ascacio

“Comparative Analysis of Muscle Characteristics and its Correlation to Maximal Power Output”

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lee Doernte

Our muscles are composed of several different muscle fiber types, but in this project, we focused on Type I, Type IIa and Type IIx. Type I fibers are abundant in endurance athletes such as cross-country runners. On the other hand, Type IIa and Type IIx are abundant in power athletes such as powerlifters. Previous research has been done on muscle fiber types, the use of Tensiomyography (TMG), and the use of Wingate, but there is a lack of research with the use of both and its correlation. 25 participants (8 female and 7 male) ages 18-45 from the general public participated in this study. To record someone’s max power output, a Wingate test can be performed. A Wingate is a stationary anaerobic ergometer that measures maximal power output and anaerobic capacity alongside other factors. Participants had their rectus femoris first tested on the TMG followed by a 30-second Wingate test. Results showed statistically significant correlations among power metrics and between body weight and maximal displacement. Highly significant correlations (p < 0.01) were found between Peak Power and Average Power, as well as Td (Delay Time) and Tc (Contraction Time). These findings enable us to develop a training regimen that can help determine whether an individual has reached their full potential or if there is room for improvement. This method is not only effective but also simple, fast, and non-invasive.