The effect of ball-handling on lower extremity mechanics in soccer

HRS Honors Research Thesis ScholarshipNearly 240,000 soccer injuries are estimated to have occurred in the United States in 2014 with a high number of them non-contact in nature and involving the lower extremities. These injuries result in time-loss from training or match play, potential psychological consequences, and financial burdens. Epidemiological research suggests that these non-contact injuries may occur more frequently while ball-handling compared to defending in soccer. However, no prior studies have investigated the biomechanical implications of controlling a soccer ball with the feet while running and cutting that may help explain this finding. The purpose of this study was to compare knee and ankle joint moments and angles implicated in non-contact soccer injury mechanisms demonstrated during run-to-cut maneuvers performed with and without dribbling a soccer ball. Our hypothesis was that the cutting maneuvers performed while dribbling a ball would have a detrimental effect on biomechanical parameters associated with non-contact ankle and knee injuries. Seventeen healthy male collegiate soccer players participated in the study. Subjects performed ball-handling and running maneuvers while running straight ahead and also at a 45° cutting angle. All data were collected using three-dimensional motion capture with force plates embedded in the floor. Ball-handling had a significant effect on peak ankle internal rotation angle (p=0.010) and knee abduction angle (p=0.024). Changes in other parameters of interest, including peak ankle inversion moment and peak knee abduction moment, did not reach significance (p>0.05). In conclusion, ball-handling in soccer can detrimentally alter lower extremity joint mechanics of dynamic movements. The results of this study support the need for coaches to consider the implications of an athlete’s sport-specific movements when creating training programs for teams and individuals.A three-year embargo was granted for this item.Academic Major: Biomedical Scienc

The Cowl - v.81 - n.6 - Oct 20, 2016

The Cowl - student newspaper of Providence College. Vol 81 - No. 6 - October 20, 2016. 24 pages

Relationships between training load, sleep duration, and daily wellbeing and recovery measures in youth athletes

Purpose: To assess the relationships between training load, sleep duration and three daily wellbeing, recovery and fatigue measures in youth athletes. Methods: Fifty-two youth athletes completed three maximal countermovement jumps (CMJ), a daily wellbeing questionnaire (DWB), the Perceived Recovery Status scale (PRS), and provided details on their previous day's training loads (training) and self-reported sleep duration (sleep) on four weekdays over a seven week period. Partial correlations, linear mixed models and magnitude-based inferences were used to assess the relationships between the predictor variables (training; sleep) and the dependent variables (CMJ; DWB; PRS). Results: There was no relationship between CMJ and training (r=-0.09; ±0.06) or sleep (r=0.01; ±0.06). The DWB was correlated with sleep (r=0.28; ±0.05, small), but not training (r=-0.05; ±0.06). The PRS was correlated with training (r=-0.23; ±0.05, small), but not sleep (r=0.12; ±0.06). The DWB was sensitive to low sleep(d=-0.33; ±0.11) relative to moderate, PRS was sensitive to high (d=-0.36; ±0.11) and low (d=0.29; ±0.17) training relative to moderate. Conclusions: The PRS is a simple tool to monitor the training response, but DWB may provide a greater understanding of the athlete's overall wellbeing. The CMJ was not associated with the training or sleep response in this population

Managing Performance Throughout Periods of Travel

Understanding the impact of travel on physical performance is an increasing area of interest for the strength and conditioning practitioner. Previous research surrounding the effect of travel on the physiology of an athlete has focused on sleep. Of concern to coaches and athletes are strategies to help attenuate any detrimental impact of travel on subsequent performance. The aim of this article is to provide informative practical guidelines for before, during, and after travel that can be implemented by coaches and athletes. The key coping strategies addressed include timed light exposure; managing sleep deprivation and nutritional recommendations

Vertical stiffness asymmetries during drop jumping are related to ankle stiffness asymmetries

Asymmetry in vertical stiffness has been associated with increased injury incidence and impaired performance. The determinants of vertical stiffness asymmetry have not been previously investigated. Eighteen healthy males performed three unilateral drop jumps during which vertical stiffness and joint stiffness of the ankle and knee were calculated. Reactive strength index was also determined during the jumps using the ratio of flight time to ground contact time. ‘Moderate’ differences in vertical stiffness (t17 = 5.49; P < 0.001), ‘small’ differences in centre of mass displacement (t17 = -2.19; P = 0.043) and ‘trivial’ differences in ankle stiffness (t17 = 2.68; P = 0.016) were observed between stiff and compliant limbs. A model including ankle stiffness and reactive strength index symmetry angles explained 79% of the variance in vertical stiffness asymmetry (R2 = 0.79; P < 0.001). None of the symmetry angles were correlated to jump height or reactive strength index. Results suggest that asymmetries in ankle stiffness may play an important role in modulating vertical stiffness asymmetry in recreationally trained males

High school athletes and over the counter performance enhancing drugs : an inside look and website

This study will take a look into four young male athlete’s lives and if they use over the counter performance enhancing drugs. With the recent debates on steroid use in major sports, I felt it was necessary to see how teens are using the products that are legal and readily available. Furthermore, I will see what students think of these legal supplements and what kind of peer pressures these kids face as the desire or need for athletic scholarships has increased. Included in the analysis will be two doctors, three athletic directors, the commissioner of the IHSAA, and four male athletes in their senior year of high school. These interviews will be used to determine the extent of knowledge they have about teen’s usage and their opinions on whether or not kids should be using these products. Also within this paper will be my own testimonial into my supplement use. I was one of those teens with natural athletic ability but a very lean frame. I wanted to push myself to get to the next level of athletics and pursue a dream of Division-1A football.Department of TelecommunicationsThesis (M.A.

Her Life Depends on it III: Sport, Physical Activity and the Health and Well-being of American Girls and Women

Her Life Depends On It III is the Women's Sports Foundation's comprehensive report that reviews existing and emerging research on the links between participation in sport and physical activity and the health and wellbeing of American girls and women. As with the previous editions in 2004 and 2009, this study also confirms that physical activity and sport provides the critical foundation, in no small part, that allows girls and women to lead healthy, strong, and fulfilled lives. Ten years since its first publication, the updated Her Life Depends On It provides an even more comprehensive review of the ever-expanding body of research that demonstrates how important it is for girls and women to participate in sport and physical activity. The report's contents reflect the review of 1,500 studies, nearly 400 covered since the previous edition

Man Games Lost in the NHL: A Correlation between Travel, Rest Periods and Injuries in the National Hockey League

Each year in the National Hockey League, teams travel thousands of miles, coast to coast, to play hockey. Each year there are also hundreds of injuries, and thousands of man games lost in the league. While there has been substantial research on how travel can affect Circadian Rhythms, no research has connected this with injury in the NHL. This study used Circadian Rhythm Theory, the amount of travel miles, and back-to-back games played by teams to understand a possible correlation between travel, rest periods, and the amount of man games. After analysis, it was clear there was no consistent correlation between the variables. Future studies may want to look into how the amount of ice time per game affects players, and how the number of games per year affects quality of play overall