Shooting “Lights Out”: Exploring a New Method for Improving Accuracy in the Basketball Jump Shot

Shooting “Lights Out”: Exploring a New Method for Improving Accuracy in the Basketball Jump Shot Kim Hagan, Casi Helbig Texas Lutheran University Undergraduate Proprioception is the awareness of limbs in space and it is essential in order to be successful in the basketball jump shot. The purpose of this study was to determine if practicing the basketball jump shot in a dark gym would improve an athlete’s shooting percentage by strengthening the proprioceptors in the muscles, tendons, joints and vestibular apparatus. The participants for this study consisted of 10 female basketball players from Texas Lutheran University. The participants were instructed to shoot twenty-five jump shots from the free throw area in a well lit gymnasium and an initial shooting percentage was recorded for each subject. Then the subjects were randomly divided into two groups: a dark group and a light group. Each individual would then complete four sessions on different days, either in the light or the dark, depending on their placement. Each session consisted of twenty-five jump shots. After all sessions were completed, a post-test of twenty-five jump shots was conducted in the light for all participants. The post tests of the light and dark groups were compared using a t-test. The results of the study did not show any significant improvements in shooting accuracy by shooting in the dark (t=-.655; p=.27). However, three of subjects from the “dark” group did show minimal improvements from the pre-test to the post-test. This method of shooting in the dark may have shown better results if the number of subjects and the number of sessions were increased and it should be further investigated

The Chronic Effects of Ballistic Stretching on Hamstring Flexibility and Vertical Jump Performance in D3 Male Basketball Athletes

Ballistic stretching may have an effect on both hamstring flexibility and vertical jump performance. PURPOSE: This study focuses on the effects of a 4-week ballistic stretching program on hamstring flexibility and vertical jump performance in Division III male basketball athletes. METHODS: Eighteen Division III male basketball athletes from TLU participated in this study. The athletes had an average height of 6’3” and an average weight of 195 lbs. In order to be included in the study, they had to meet the following criteria: (1) 18-26 years old, (2) Free from injury, and (3) Free from performance enhancing drugs. The subjects’ hamstring flexibility and vertical jump height was recorded before and after the completion of the program using the Sit-and-Reach test and the Vertec Vertical Jump test respectively. The program lasted 4 weeks (4 days per week) & consisted of 3 stretches in addition to their normal basketball practice: Sit-and-Reach, Right Elevated Leg Extension, and Left Elevated Leg Extension. Only the experimental group (consisting of 9 subjects) participated in this program. The control group (consisting of 9 subjects) only participated in normal basketball practice. RESULTS: Overall, both groups decreased in vertical jump height & increased in hamstring flexibility. However, no statistical significance was found between groups or within groups (p\u3e0.05). On average, the experimental group decreased their vertical jump height by 1.06 in. & increased their hamstring flexibility by 0.44 in. Additionally, the control group decreased their vertical jump height by 0.67 in. & increased their hamstring flexibility by 0.33 in. Data was considered significant if p ≤ 0.05. Comparing initial vs final vertical jumps (in the experimental group) using a two-tailed t-test revealed a p-value of 0.054. Comparing the average change in vertical jump among the 2 groups using the same test revealed a p-value of 0.393. Comparing initial vs final hamstring flexibilities (in the experimental group) using a one-tailed t-test revealed a p-value of 0.091. Comparing the average change in hamstring flexibility among the 2 groups using a two-tailed t-test revealed a p-value of 0.853. None of the results were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study failed to reject the null hypothesis. It is inconclusive whether or not ballistic stretching in addition to a basketball conditioning program has an effect on hamstring flexibility or vertical jump height

Exergame Versus Traditional Cycling: A Comparison of Psychological Factors

Previous research has noted that increased enjoyment levels endorsed the involvement in long-term exercise persistence. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to compare enjoyment levels and perceived time of the Spinner NXT, a stationary bike commonly found in cycling classes, and the TACX trainer, a stationary bike which allows users to immerse themselves in any location in the world and participate in competitions if desired. METHODS: Sample size consisted of 30 Texas Lutheran University students. Each participant was assigned a number to protect their identity and was randomly assigned which bicycle they would start with. Participant was told they would be riding a bike for a predetermined amount of time which differed from trial to trial. Participants rode the bike for 15 minutes. When the 15 minutes was up, participants filled out the Enjoyment Questionnaire. They were then given time to connect their headphones to the experimenter’s phone to access the playlist. Once they were ready, they rode the bike for 15 minutes. Once the time was up, participants filled out another copy of the Enjoyment Questionnaire and an Overall Enjoyment Questionnaire. Once the forms were completed, the experimenter debriefed each participant. RESULTS: For data analysis three t-Tests: Two-Sample Assuming Equal Variances were run. Data suggested that the TACX Neo 2.0 was significantly more challenging and less comfortable than the Spinner NXT. An additional analysis was in overall percentages. 56.6% of participants preferred the TACX while 43.3% of participants preferred the Spinner NXT. Average perceived time on the Spinner was 15.08 minutes while average perceived time on the TACX was 12.84 minutes. CONCLUSION: Average perceived time suggested that there is roughly a 2-minute difference in perception of this short bike ride. If this were expanded to a long-distance ride, greater differences in these results would be expected. Level of challenge could be perceived in different ways and depending on what an individual prefers this could sway someone to pursue either method. The “Most Comfortable” analysis, is where the main limitation was found. Each of the bikes had two different seats, and this had a larger influence on responses than expected. In future studies bike seats, posture, and cycling method should all be taken into consideration in experiment design. This study will give future researchers a baseline when considering what method of stationary cycling to use in their studies and to hopefully give the public insight into the importance of personal enjoyment when considering what method of cycling to utilize

The Effect of Post Activation Potentiation on the Vertical Jump

Post-activation potentiation (PAP) refers to short-term improvement in performance (i.e., jumping and running) immediately following a heavy resistance exercise. PAP can provide improvement to explosive performance with the main goal being to maximize your body’s ability to generate power. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of post activation potentiation on the vertical jump. METHODS: The participants in this study consisted of twenty members of the Texas Lutheran University (TLU) football team. The study was conducted in the TLU Fitness Center on two different testing days. On the first testing day, the subject’s reach was recorded, and they walked on the treadmill for five minutes. Next, a static and dynamic stretching routine was provided. Subjects performed a pre-test with three maximal jumps using the Vertec Vertical Jump Tester. One week later, subjects returned to the fitness center and performed the same warm-up and stretching routine. The participants were then instructed to load the squat bar with 75% of their one repetition maximum (RM). One RM had been performed prior to this study in football practice under the supervision of the TLU football coaches. Subjects performed two sets of five repetitions of squats with a three minute rest period between sets. Immediately following the three sets of squats, subjects were retested on their vertical jump. A paired t-test was conducted to determine if there was a significant different between the pre and posttest. RESULTS: The study resulted in a mean height of 21.9 inches with a SD of 4.2 for the pre-test and a mean height of 22.9 inches with a SD of 4.18 after performing squats. A one-tailed t-test concluded with a t statistic of 2.99 and a t-critical of 1.73 indicating a significant difference between the two testing sessions. In addition, the p-value was 0.004 indicating that this data likely did not occur by chance. CONCLUSION: This study accepted the hypothesis of improved performance following resistance exercise. This study can be used to better understand the phenomenon of PAP and show athletes and coaches how to implement it into their training to help maximize power. PAP is becoming increasingly popular due to the way training is always evolving with technology. The whole purpose of training is to gain an edge over your opponent, so why not get the best advantage possible

Correlational Analysis of BMI and Balance in Adults 50 and Over

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A New Way to Measure Physical Exertion: The Compensatory Reserve

During periods of physiological stress, such as hemorrhage, the body is able to deploy multiple mechanism of compensation such as changes in heart rate and vascular tone. These compensatory mechanisms allow the body to maintain blood flow, and therefore oxygenation to major organs. The degree to which these compensatory mechanisms are active in simulated hemorrhage are detectable in arterial waveforms and quantifiable by the compensatory reserve index (CRI). PURPOSE: Because physical exertion also activates multiple compensatory mechanisms, it was hypothesized that CRI could be used to quantify physical exertion. METHODS: Healthy human subjects (N = 6) performed a VO2 max test on a cycle ergometer utilizing progressive exercise in 3 minute increments, while CRI was continuously measured. RESULTS: CRI measurements were negatively correlated with %V02 (R2 = .998). CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results suggest that the CRI alone can be used to accurately quantify physical exertion

Yoga versus Pilates: Which one is better for increasing Range of Motion?

Yoga versus Pilates: Which one is better for increasing Range of Motion? Audrey Castro, Casi Helbig Texas Lutheran University Undergraduate Pilates and Yoga are two popular types of exercise programs known to improve range of motion (ROM). The purpose of this experiment was to investigate differences between Yoga and Pilates in terms of ROM benefits. Subjects consisted of twenty college age students with no previous experience with either exercise program. After a consent form was completed, initial ROM was measured for each subject using a goniometer. The nine ROM tests included: sit and reach, right and left hip flexion, right and left hip extension, right and left shoulder internal rotation, and right and left shoulder external rotation. Subjects were then randomly selected for either the Yoga or the Pilates exercise groups. One exercise DVD, either Yoga or Pilates, was distributed to each subject accordingly. Each subject was then asked to follow the instructional DVD for twelve sessions once a day for an hour a day. At the completion of the twelve sessions, identical ROM exams were measured for each subject. Pre-test and post-test ROM assessments were analyzed using a T-test for the Yoga and the Pilates groups. Results show that the Yoga group made some minimal improvements to ROM in some areas and no improvements in other areas. The Pilates group, however, demonstrated improvements in ROM in all subjects and in all tests. ROM improvement between the Yoga group and the Pilates group was compared using a T-test. The results show that for 7 out of the 9 tests administered, the Pilates group had significantly better improvement (see table). The Left Hip Extension and Right Shoulder External Rotation were the only two measurements that were insignificant. Overall, Pilates appeared to show better results than Yoga in term of ROM over twelve sessions. Test T-Test Results Sit and Reach T(9)=5.5141, p\u3c.05 Right Hip Flexion T(9)=3.4306, p\u3c.05 Left Hip Flexion T(9)=4.4907, p\u3c.05 Right Hip Extension T(9)=2.3772, p\u3c.05 Left Hip Extension T(9)=1.6164, p\u3e.05 Right Shoulder Internal Rotation T(9)=7.0046, p\u3c.05 Left Shoulder Internal Rotation T(9)=6.7082, p\u3c.05 Right Shoulder External Rotation T(9)=2.2119, p\u3e.05 Left Shoulder External Rotation T(9)=4.1798, p\u3c.0

Walk This Way: The Effects of Wearing a Knee Brace on Gait

Gait is defined as the way a person walks; the manner of his or her steps taken. Walking is a simple concept that can be taken for granted until it is lost. When a movement in the gait cycle is limited due to injury, changes in biomechanical and neurological factors occur. The purpose of this study was to measure and evaluate gait patterns of subjects walking with and without a Breg T Scope Premier Post-Op Knee Brace. Twenty-two Texas Lutheran University students were tested using the Dartfish Software program in the Kieffer Laboratory. Seven females and fifteen males, ranging in ages 18 to 28 years, completed two five meter walks. The first recording was of the subjects walking without the Post-Op Knee Brace and the second recording was of the subjects walking with the Post-Op knee brace. The knee brace was set to limit the subject twenty degrees of full knee extension, not allowing full range of motion. Each subject was recorded from the front view and from the side view; the videos were then analyzed through Dartfish Software. Eight reflective markers were applied to the subject prior to walking to distinguish boney landmarks for angle measurement. Using a Paired Two Sample t-Test, a significant difference was found for hip flexion and extension, hip abduction, dorsiflexion, and plantar flexion. Hip Flexion, hip extension, plantar flexion, and dorsiflexion decreased with the addition on the Post-Op Knee Brace and hip abduction increased, resulting in gait abnormalities

The Effects of a Resisted Push or Pull on Acceleration Sprint Time

Resistive sprinting is among many of the techniques used to aid in improving running mechanics. Proper running mechanics can aid in speeding up the acceleration phase. The acceleration phase involves the first 10-15 meters of a run before hitting the top speed phase. The resistive equipment used by coaches and trainers varies, ranging from parachutes to sleds. For this study the sled was the technique being investigated. The sled can be used to improve running techniqe both through pushing and pulling. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine which resistive running method, sled push or sled pull, would be most beneficial for improving acceleration phase of sprints. METHODS: Fourteen Texas Lutheran athletes participated in the study. Each test day involved timed sprints for baseline, followed by one of the two resistive techniques (push or pull) and ending with another set of timed sprints to determine any improvements. RESULTS: All subjects improved their time in the acceleration phase of sprinting. The two different warm-up methods were compared to see if one had a greater improvement using a repeated measure within subjects t-test. A p-value of 0.46 was found indicating that there was not a statistically significant difference between the two methods. CONCLUSION:. While both techniques, the sled pull and the sled push, aided in improving acceleration phase sprint times, there was no difference between groups. This is important for coaches and trainers to know that either method can be used to help aid in the improvements of the acceleration phase