A Comparison of United States Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test and Combat Fitness Test Results

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(4): 1741-1755, 2020. The United States Marines Corps (USMC) have installed a Physical Fitness Test (PFT) to measure physical fitness levels and a Combat Fitness Test (CFT) to assess a Marine’s functional fitness as it relates to the demands of combat operations. The PFT involves three events; pull-ups/push-ups (PU), two-minute abdominal crunches/sit-ups (AC), and a timed three-mile run (RUN). The CFT also involves three events; Movement to Contact (MTC), two-minute Ammunition Lift (AL), and Maneuver-Under-Fire (MANUF). It is of interest to determine if the PFT and CFT are both necessary. As such, the purpose of this study was to determine the degree of relationships between PFT (PU, AC, RUN, and total) and CFT (MTC, AL, MANUF, and total) scores of active duty Marines. The PFT and CFT scores from 19,678 active duty enlisted USMC males (age 22.5±1.3 years, height 1.77±0.07 m, body mass 79.4±10.3 kg) were analyzed. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were calculated between the PFT and CFT total scores as well as individual events. The PFT mean±sd scores were as follows: PU=18.0±5.0 (pull-ups), AC=111.2±9.0 (repetitions), RUN=1377.0±131.4 sec, PFT total=249.6±29.6. The CFT mean±sd scores were as follows: MTC=172.5±16.3 sec, AL=113.2±10.4 repetitions, MANUF=138.3±17.2 sec, CFT total=271.6±25.6. Moderate significant (pWithin the parameters of this study, PFT and CFT event scores demonstrated no to moderate correlations suggesting that different fitness characteristics are being assessed and supports the need for both the PFT and CFT assessments

Examining Grit Like Qualities in NFL QBs

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(5): 912-923, 2020. In order to excel in the National Football League (NFL) it would seem reasonable to assume an athlete has grit which consists of the constructs of consistency of interest and perseverance of effort. Grit-like qualities such as endurance, urgency and intensity, self-confidence, need for encouragement, and self-criticality may be of particular value for the athlete playing the Quarterback (QB) position. The purpose of the study was to assess the 5 grit-like constructs of endurance, urgency and intensity, self-confidence, need for encouragement, and self-criticality among NFL QBs. The Flippen ProfileTM assessment was administered to 29 NFL QBs and the 5 grit-like constructs were recorded. Each of the 5 grit-like constructs were scored on a scale of 0-100, where high scores were considered desirable for endurance, urgency and intensity, and self-confidence, while lower scores were considered as desirable for need for encouragement, and self-criticality. The scores for each of the 5 grit-like constructs were then partitioned by three categories of QB years played: 1-2 (n=8), 3-7 (n=13), and ≥8 (n=8) years. Four key findings emerged following the analysis: the NFL QBs scored favorably on all of the 5 grit-like constructs independent of years played, QBs with ≥8 years’ experience scored the most favorably for endurance and the need for encouragement, QBs with 1-2 years’ experience scored the most favorably for self-criticality. These results may provide coaches and athletes aspiring to play QB in the NFL with benchmarks regarding the 5 grit-like constructs that are associated with successful NFL QBs

INTRINSIC VS. EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION AMONG RECREATIONAL CROSSFIT ATHLETES: A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

Research has shown that many types of recreational athletes are intrinsically rather than extrinsically motivated to participate in their sport. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine if recreational CrossFit participants are inclined to be more intrinsically or extrinsically motivated to participate in their sport. Methods: Participants were recruited from a local CrossFit gym in Southern Utah where they were provided a QR code linked to the Sports Motivation Scale II (SMS II survey). The SMS II survey assess 6 subscales of motivation regulation (intrinsic, integrated, identified, introjected, external, and non). Each of the 18 SMS II survey questions is scored on a Likert scale of 1-7 on a continuum of “Does not correspond at all” to “Corresponds completely”. For the purpose of the study, CrossFit participants were considered to as athletes. Results: The SMS II subscale scores were as follows (mean±SD): intrinsic (5.7±1.3), integrated (5.5±1.1), identified (6.2±1.0), introjected (4.6±1.3), external (2.4±1.4), and non (1.7±1.1). The Identified regulation subscale scores were greater than all other subscales scores (p<0.05). The Intrinsic and Integrated regulation subscale scores were similar and greater than Introjected, External and Non regulation subscale scores (p<0.05). The Introjected regulation subscale scores were greater than the External and Non regulation subscale scores (p<0.05). The External regulation subscale scores were greater than the Non regulation subscores (p<0.05). Conclusions: Within the parameters of this study, it appears that recreational CrossFit participants find motivation within themselves to participate in CrossFit training style exercise sessions.  Article visualizations

PACK RUNNING AMONG FEMALE NCAA COLLEGIATE CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS

The purpose of this study was to identify if there was a relationship between running with a teammate(s), often referred to as packing, during a cross-country race and lower aggregate team times of the top five scoring runners. This study examined packing strategies of Division 1 NCAA female cross-country runners. Packing was defined as any team member running within a second of a teammate at a given checkpoint during the race. All competitors across three women’s races wore chip-timing bibs that recorded each competitor’s time at checkpoints throughout the race. Only teams having five or more runners were included in the analysis. A “packing score %” was calculated for each team by dividing the number of times a runner was within a second of a teammate at a checkpoint in a given interval by the total number of packing opportunities within the interval (PS%). The total scoring team time was then calculated from the finishing time of each team’s top five runners (Team Aggregate Time-TAT). The correlation coefficient between PS% and TAT was r = -0.47 (p < 0.001). While more research is needed to identify how and when packing should be optimally used, empirical findings indicate packing is beneficially associated with team running times.  Article visualizations

The Relationship Between Core Stability & Squat Ratio in Resistance-Trained Males

Background: The lumbopelvic-hip complex, also referred to as the “core”, is composed of every muscle between the knees and sternum. The back squat (BS) and front squat (FS) are both staple exercises that challenge the core in different ways.  Possessing a properly balanced squat ratio (SR = 1-RM FS/1-RM BS; 1-RM = one-repetition maximum) could lead to a more stable core. Objective: This study attempted to determine if there was a meaningful relationship between the SR and core strength (CS) in resistance-trained males. If a strong relation exists between the SR and CS, strength and conditioning professionals would have a readily available assessment tool for examining CS by simply viewing the SR. Method: Twenty-one resistance-trained males (age = 28.3 ± 6.2 years; body mass = 93.1 ± 13.1 kg; height = 181.9 ± 7.6 cm; weight training experience with FS & BS = 6.4 ± 3.7 years) performed CS tests (flexor endurance, extensor endurance, prone bridge, left side-bridge, and right side-bridge), along with a 1-RM in the BS and FS.  An aggregate of the CS test times (CSA) was also calculated for comparison with the SR. A Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (r) was used to compare the SR with the CS tests and the CSA. Results: The CS test results were as follows (secs): flexor endurance 228.2±93.0, extensor endurance 137.0±28.2, prone bridge 166.7±51.3, left side-bridge 97.36±31.0, right side-bridge 100.2±28.3, and CSA 729.8±165.4. The 1-RM BS, 1-RM FS, and SR were: 157.5±29.7 kgs, 132.2±24.3 kgs, and 0.84±0.06 respectively.  A moderate correlation was found between total CSA and the SR (r = 0.50, CD2 = 0.25, p<0.05).  In addition, a moderate correlation was found between the prone bridge test and the SR (r = 0.49, CD2 = 0.24, p<0.05).  A very strong positive correlation was also found between 1-RM BS and 1-RM FS (r = 0.93, CD2 = 0.86, p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the CSA and prone bridge test are moderately related to the SR. However, the low coefficient of determination between the SR and CS times suggests that the SR is not a suitable estimate of CS. The very strong relationship between the 1-RM FS and 1-RM BS provides strong evidence for the interchangeable use of these modalities within a resistance training protocol

The Relationship Between Handgrip Fatigue and Performance Scores in NCAA Division I Women\u27s Artistic Gymnasts

Maximal isometric handgrip strength (HGS) is used as an indicator of overall muscular strength and has also been found to be predictive of certain athletic events sporting prowess. We recently found that HGS was not related to performance scores in female collegiate gymnasts. However, handgrip fatigue (HGF) has previously been found to strongly relate to HGS in male gymnasts, but has never been examined in relation to performance scores (from 0 to 10 as perfect) in any gymnasts, male or female. PURPOSE: Examine the relationship between HGF and performance scores for the 4 events of vault, uneven bars, beam, and floor in female collegiate gymnasts. METHODS: Twenty-five (n=25) female National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I women’s artistic gymnasts (age: 20.1±1.3 yrs; height: 158.9±5.6 cm; mass: 58.2±5.3 kg) were assessed for absolute HGF in kg and relative HGF (HGF/height in m2), as well as their average vault, uneven bars, beam, and floor performance scores across a competitive season. For the HGF measurement, subjects maximal absolute HGS was determined first. Then, subjects held 50% of their absolute HGS until failure. Then, within 10 sec. a second maximal HGS measurement was taken as the absolute HGF value. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were determined between HGF measurements and all performance scores. RESULTS: The performance scores were: average vault (9.72±0.01), uneven bars (9.75±0.05), beam (9.58±0.19), and floor (9.47±0.43). Absolute HGF (21.8±3.1 kg) was significantly (p\u3c0.001) strongly correlated (r = 0.62) with absolute HGS (30.8±4.4 kg). No significant (p\u3e0.05) correlations were found between absolute HGF or relative HGF (8.5±1.3 kg) and any 4 gymnastics event’s performance scores (r range: -0.59-0.36 or r range: -0.46-0.17, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In the current population of gymnasts, HGF was strongly related to HGS, but absolute HGF or relative HGF were not related to any gymnastics events performance scores. Findings from this study can be used by athletes, coaches, and practitioners in the collegiate women’s gymnastics realm

ASSESSING EXERCISE HABITS OF RETIRED DIVISION I NCAA FOOTBALL PLAYERS

This study assessed the exercise habits among former NCAA Division I College football players. Methods: Former NCAA collegiate football players (n=56) from the USA completed two different questionnaires relevant to exercise habits. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire GPAQ questionnaire was used to measure the time spent exercising once retired. The Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale EB/BS questionnaire was used to determine the perception of exercise benefits and barriers. Results: The GPAQ identified 18% (10/56) of the retired football players as not engaging in an adequate amount of physical activity per week based on the recommendation of the World Health Organization (&gt;600 MET-minutes/week of moderate and/or vigorous physical activity). Noting that 13% (7) of the participants reported no physical activity. The remaining participants 46/56 (82%) scored above the 600 MET-minute per week recommendation. The participants were also asked about the primary sources and time spent when engaging in physical activity (work, travel, or recreational activity). The results indicated that the primary source of physical activity (226±248 mean minutes per week) was engaging in recreational activities. The EB/BS was broken down into Benefits and Barriers Subscales to be evaluated independently. The Barriers subscale results indicated the participants responded strongly agreed/agreed (SA/A) to the questions ranged from 2% to 70% across 14 questions, noting only 3 questions where participants scored the questions as SA/A ≥50%. With the Benefits subscale, participants’ SA/A answers ranged from 48% to 100% across 29 questions, noting 28 questions where participants scored the questions as SA/A ≥50 %. Conclusion: Within the parameters of this study, retired Division I college football players strongly perceive the benefits of exercise outweighs their perceptions of barriers to exercise, however, approximately 18% discontinued exercise.  Article visualizations

A LONGITUDINAL INVESTIGATION OF CROWD DENSITY AND THE HOME COURT PHENOMENON IN THE WOMEN’S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

The home team advantage has been extensively documented and studied in many team sports, especially men’s basketball leagues. In contrast, research that has examined the home court advantage in women’s basketball leagues could not be found. Therefore, this study was designed to answer the following questions: (1) is the home court advantage present in the woman’s national basketball association (WNBA)? (2) is there a relationship between crowd density and referee bias in favor of the home team in the national woman’s basketball league? (3) is there a relationship between crowd density and home team performance in the woman’s national basketball league? The study at hand employed a longitudinal study approach to examine 5 regular seasons (2015-2019) of 10 WNBA teams. Data for fan attendance, sport arena capacity, and box scores were collected from public domains. Statistical calculations and analysis were used to compare chosen box scores between the home team and away team. Similarly, chosen box scores were compared between home games that had a crowd density above 50% and home games that had a crowd density below 50%. The results of this study showed that the home court advantage was present in the woman’s national basketball league. In contrast to research studies that examined referee bias in men’s basketball leagues, the results of this study are conflicting and inconclusive. However, home games that had crowd density above 50% significantly outperformed home games that had crowed density below 50%, both offensively (p=0.003) and defensively (p=0.002).  Article visualizations

The Reliability of the Anaerobic Power Dummy Throw Test in High School Wrestlers: A Pilot Study

AP (anaerobic power) output is an important physical characteristic that is required to succeed in sports such as wrestling. The Wingate test is considered the Gold Standard for assessing AP but is not specific to the sport of wrestling. The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability of a novel field test known as the LWAPT (Lopez wrestling anaerobic power test) for the assessment of AP. The participants were male high school wrestlers (n = 10, age: 17.0 ± 0.8 yrs, mass: 70.9 ± 10.2 kgs). The participants met on one occasion in order to complete the testing protocol. The protocol initiated with the participants completing a 10-15 minute dynamic WU (warm-up) that included three practice dummy throw attempts (dummy mass = 31.75 kgs). Following the dynamic WU (≈ 5 minutes), the participants performed two trials of the LWAPT. In order to perform the LWAPT, wrestlers stood behind the wrestling dummy in a squat position with legs bent at 45-90 degrees. Next the wrestlers wrapped their arms around the waist of the dummy and on the signal “go” the wrestlers quickly exploded up, lifting the dummy by getting triple extension with the ankles, knees and hips as one would in a power clean. After the wrestler was fully extended, he turned in midair in order to drive the dummy onto its stomach on the ground, where the wrestler was on top of the back of the dummy (a common position after an opponent has been thrown). The participant then repositioned the dummy to the original position to execute another throw. The participants completed as many dummy throws as possible during the one minute trials. The LWAPT trials were separated by 15 minutes. The trial scores were 15.6 ± 2.5 and 17.2 ± 1.5 throws respectively. The interclass and intraclass reliability coefficients were r = 0.84 and ICC = 0.80. The standard error of the measure was SEm = 1.0 throws with 90% confidence limits of UL: 1.7, LL: 0.7. The mean difference between trials was 1.6 ± 1.4 throws (90% confidence limits of UL: 2.4, LL: 0.8). Bland-Altman plots suggested agreement between trials with no evidence of heteroscedasticity. The LWAPT exhibits moderate to high reliability as an assessment of AP. The inclusion of additional dummy throw trials to the assessment protocol may enhance the degree of reliability of the dummy throw test as a measure of AP

Effects of Supramaximal Anderson Quarter-squats as a Potentiating Stimulus on Discus Performance in Division I Throwers: A Pilot Study

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(6): 99-114, 2024. No study has assessed supramaximal (over 100% 1RM) back squat variations as a potentiating stimulus in collegiate throwers. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that a supramaximal Anderson (bottom-up) quarter squat potentiating stimulus would improve discus throw performance in Division I throwers compared to a dynamic warm-up alone. Nine NCAA division I thrower athletes (age: 20.1±1.4 years; 1RM back squat/body weight: 2.5±0.4 kg) randomly completed two sessions separated by at least 72 hours. One session involved a standardized dynamic warm-up alone (DyWU) followed by three trials of maximal discus throwing. The other session involved a dynamic warm-up with a supramaximal (105% 1RM) Anderson (bottom-up) quarter-squat set of 5 repetitions post activation performance enhancement stimulus (DyWU+PAPE) followed by three trials of maximal discus throwing. A two-way (warm-up strategy x time) ANOVA with repeated measures for each time point was used, with significance set at p\u3c 0.05. There were no significant (p\u3e 0.05) differences between DyWU alone versus DyWU+PAPE stimulus for discus throw distances at either 8 min. (31.7±5.6 vs 30.6±6.5 meters, respectively; d = -0.18), 11 min. (33.4±3.6 vs 31.3±4.7 meters, respectively; d = -0.52), or 14 min. post warm-up (34.1±3.9 vs 32.3±5.3 meters, respectively; d = -0.40). Compared to a dynamic warm-up alone, supramaximal Anderson quarter-squats following a dynamic warm-up had trivial/small to moderate detrimental effects on discus throw performance between 8-14 minutes post stimuli in Division I trained throwers, likely due to excess fatigue/PAPE inhibition