FOURTH NORTH AMERICAN SURVEY OF UNDERGRADUATE BIOMECHANICS INSTRUCTION IN KINESIOLOGY/EXERCISE SCIENCE

A web-based survey of introductory biomechanics instructors in Kinesiology/Exercise Science departments from North America was conducted to document current instructor and course characteristics. Responses from 165 faculty from the USA and Canada were compiled and compared to previous surveys. Survey respondents tended to have doctoral training in biomechanics and reported nominally larger percentages, relative to previous surveys, of courses entitled “biomechanics” and mechanical content. The respondents also reported greater diversity of course prerequisites, less emphasis on anatomy, and less familiarity with NASPE guidelines for the course than reported in previous surveys

THE EFFECT OF PLYOMETRIC TRAINING VOLUME ON JUMPING PERFORMANCE

This study compared high and low daily volume periodized plyometric training programs and their effect on countermovement jump (CMJ) performance over a 2 week testing time course after training. Thirty-five male subjects participated. Subjects CMJ was tested on a force platform prior to and at 2, 6, 10 and 14 days post training. Peak vertical ground reaction force (GRF), reactive strength index-modified (RSI mod), jump height (JH), and body mass were assessed. No differences were found between the high and low volume training groups. Subjects GRF, RSI mod, and JH performance was improved in a range of 6 to 14 days post- training. Low and high volume periodized plyometric training programs produced equal results. Six to 14 days of recovery post training was required to accrue the training benefit

Diurnal Variation in Stretch Shortening Cycle and Non-Stretch Shortening Cycle Jumping Performance

This study assessed the diurnal variations, as well as the subjects’ perceptions of how time of day affects their jumping performance. Eighteen subjects participated in testing sessions at 7 a.m., noon, and 5 p.m., on the same day. Subjects performed squat jumps (SJ) and countermovement jumps (CMJ) on a force platform with peak ground reaction force (GRF), jump height, and reactive strength index-modified (RSImod) obtained for each jump. Diurnal differences for the CMJ were found for GRF (P = 0.048). Diurnal differences for the SJ were found in RSImod (P= 0.04). Subjective assessment of jumping explosiveness was significantly different across time of day (P = 0. 047). Lower body power training such as plyometrics, may be more effective at mid day than early morning or late afternoon