INDIVIDUAL BIOMECHANICAL PROFILES OF CHANGES IN TECHNIQUE BETWEEN PRACTICE AND COMPETITION IN SEVEN COLLEGIATE POLE VAULTERS

The purpose of this study was to examine individual changes in technique between competition and practice in the pole vault. Seven collegiate pole vaulters were videolaped and analyzed in two or three competitions and two or three practices. Means for competition and practice were computed in eight parameters. The eight parameters included: maximum horizontal velocity, maximum vertical velocity, horizontal velocity at the last step, vertical velocity at take off, stride length from the third to the last step to the second to last step, stride length from the second to last step to the last step, the height of the top hand hold at pole plant, and elbow extension at pole plant

A COMPARISON OF PRACTICE AND COMPETITION APPROACH VELOCITIES AND THE POSITION OF THE TOP HANDHOLD AT THE POLE PLANT IN POLE VAULTERS

The purpose of this study was to examine whether university pole vaulters change their approach velocities and the position of the top handhold, during pole plant between practice and competition. Three male and three female pole-vaulters from a NCAA Division I university were videotaped during a practice and at the following competition. The video data was digitized using the Peak Performance Technologies Motion Measurement digitizing system. A dependent t-test was used to test for significant differences in the parameters between practice and competition. Statistically significant differences were found for the height of the top handhold, and the horizontal velocity at the second to last and the last step. An application for coaches is provided, based on the results of the study

EXAMINATION OF ACUTE WHOLE-BODY VIBRATION ON MAXIMAL VERTICAL JUMP HEIGHT IN COLLEGIATE VOLLEYBALL ATHLETES

The purpose of this study was to compare the acute effects on maximal countermovement vertical jump after completing three sets of 30 second body weight squats with and without whole body vibration among Division I volleyball players. Participants (n=7) underwent three days of testing: one baseline, one with WBV at 45 Hertz and one without WBV. The latter two testing days involved a warm-up with three sets of 30-second body weight squats on a vibration platform. Each participant then completed a countermovement vertical jump, measured by a Vertec, after passively resting for one minute and five minutes, respectively. Results indicated a significant difference between baseline and vibration vertical jump means (p=.039). No other significant differences were detected

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ABDOMINAL MUSCULAR STRENGTH AND QUADRICEPS ANGLE IN SUBJECTS WITH PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between abdominal flexor muscle strength and Q-angle. A total of 45 subjects participated; Q-angle and abdominal flexor strength utilizing a double-leg lowering test (DLLT) were measured. The relationship between abdominal flexor strength and Q-angle was investigated using a Pearson r correlation test. A t-test was used to compare patellofemeral pain syndrome (PFPS) to non-PFPS groups, and to evaluate gender differences. A significant correlation was found between Q-angle and abdominal flexor strength in both genders (male r =.62,

THE EFFECTS OF SUSPENDED WEIGHT RESISTANCE ON AGILITY IN COLLEGIATE ATHLETES

Instability resistance training techniques are commonly used to increase athletic performance. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of performing the squat exercise with suspended weight within a six-week resistance training program on agility in collegiate male athletes. Thirty-two male collegiate baseball players were randomly assigned to a suspended or conventional resistance training group. They completed the T-test agility test before and after a six-week resistance training program. The suspended group had weight plates hanging below the barbell for the squat exercise. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to assess improvements in performance within groups and between groups. The T-test agility times for both groups significantly decreased from pre- to post-testing, but there were no significant differences between groups

DOES HIP CONTRACTURE EFFECT ANTERIOR PELVIC TILT CHANGES DURING SQUATTING?

The purpose of this study was to examine possible effects of hip flexor contractures on changes in pelvic anterior tilt during the squat. Twenty recreationally active subjects were evaluated for hip contracture using the Modified Thomas test. Eight subjects were found to have iliopsoas contracture and twelve were found to have rectus femoris contracture. A 2x8 mixed-model repeated measures ANOVA was completed between the positive and negative hip contracture groups for both the iliopsoas and rectus femoris results. No significant differences were found between the hip contracture groups for the iliopsoas (p=.90) or the rectus femoris (p=.18). These results indicate the Modified Thomas test results about hip contracture do not have an effect on changes in pelvic motion during the squat

THE EFFECT OF TIGHT HIPS ON SQUAT TECHNIQUE

The purpose of this study was to examine if tight hips would effect a dynamic activity such as the squat. Twenty subjects with squat experience were evaluated for hip contracture, 8 subjects were found to have iliopsoas contracture and 12 were found to have rectus femoris contracture. Two mixed model repeated measures ANOVAs were completed on hip flexion angles during a squat between a group with and without hip contracture for the iliopsoas and rectus femoris. A significant difference was found for the Iliopsoas (p=.014) and rectus femoris (p=.002) for the main effect of repetition. However, the interaction was not significant for iliopsoas (p=.20) or rectus femoris (p=.10). No significant differences were found between the hip contracture groups for the iliopsoas (p=.10) or the rectus femoris (p=.68), indicating tight hips do not have an impact on squat technique

AN EXAMINATION OF CHANGES IN UPPER AND LOWER BODY POWER IN ROTC CADETS OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR

The purpose of this study was to examine upper and lower body power in Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) cadets over the course of a year. Twenty-three ROTC cadets completed two upper body and two lower body power assessments at three different time periods. The three time periods were April 2010, September 2010, and April 2011. The four assessments were a seated medicine ball throw, a force plate push-up, and a countermovement vertical jump on a force plate while simultaneously touching the highest vane they could reach on a VertecTM placed next to the force plate. No significant changes were found for the medicine ball throw (F = .27, p = .77) or the push-up (F = .38, p = .69). However, significant changes were found for the force plate power output (F = 7.5, p = .004) and Vertec (F = 5.39, p = .013)

Using E-Mail Health Interventions and Transtheoretical Model to Promote Wellness: A Pilot Study

Purpose: The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the effectiveness of one weekly e-mail health (e-health) message in assisting individuals meet their self-identified health goals. Methods: Employees (N=31) from a midwestern city were recruited at a Benefits Fair health booth and divided into two groups based on their desire to receive additional health information. The participants in each group were then randomly assigned to receive basic or detailed e-health messages that were developed using the constructs of the Transtheoretical Model. Participants self-identified a personal wellness goal and how soon they planned to start working toward accomplishing this goal. For 38 weeks, the basic group received weekly e-health messages that contained basic information related to one of the World Health Organization’s seven dimensions of wellness while the detailed group received the basic message plus additional games, webpage links and more extensive information. Participant’s progress along the change continuum and goal completion was assessed 38 weeks later with a Post-Wellness Survey. Results: Participants exhibited positive movement on the behavior change continuum with many reaching their goals, regardless of the type of e-health message received. Conclusion: E-health messages can be a practical, cost-effective way to assist employees in making healthy behavioral changes and meeting their personal health goals