Validity and Reliability of Devices Measuring Countermovement Vertical Jump Performance

The counter-movement jump (CMJ) test is a standard measure of lower body power and can be related to other aspects of athletic performance. With many tools commercially available, it can be difficult for professionals to distinguish which device provides the most accurate results for the best cost. While these devices have been previously validated individually, no past studies have concurrently examined these specific tools. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of four different CMJ measuring devices when compared to the gold standard of a force plate. Thirty-one physically active university students were recruited for this study. Upon completion of a short dynamic warm-up and instruction on proper jumping technique, each participant performed four maximal CMJs on the force plate. They then performed an additional four maximal CMJs in an area where four other instruments were used to measure CMJ simultaneously: accelerometer-based sensor, a contact mat, a photoelectrical cell system, and a mobile device video app. Analysis of the data was conducted, and results showed that while slightly overestimating measurements, the commercial devices that seem to agree the closest to the gold standard force plate were the contact mat and accelerometer-based sensor

Use of the Functional Movement Screening in Division III Collegiate Athletics

The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) aims to expose movement limitations and asymmetries by screening an individual on seven different fundamental movement patterns. Limited research has been conducted using individual FMS test scores comparatively to composite scores. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a corrective exercise program on improving individual FMS scores for a collegiate basketball team. Thirteen healthy, male student athletes from an NCAA Division III men’s basketball team performed all seven FMS movements. The team was randomly divided into control and treatment groups. The control group followed their typical pre-practice dynamic warm-up four days per week for four weeks, while the treatment group performed a specific warm-up geared towards improving FMS for four days per week for four weeks. The athletes performed the complete FMS following the completion of the training program. The specific corrective exercise training program did not significantly change FMS movements

Movement Capability Changes in Collegiate Basketball Players Following a Corrective Exercise Program

While much data is available regarding Functional Movement Screen (FMS) scores in corrective exercise programs and injury prevention, limited data exists regarding comparisons between movement patterns in various sports. The purpose of this study was to review FMS scores to find any mobility and stability differences between several NCAA Division III sports. In this study, 83 healthy student-athletes, from four different sports teams, performed a battery of tests to measure physical capabilities prior to the beginning of their competitive season. All participating student-athletes performed the FMS, which is a tool used to gauge fundamental movement patterns including range of motion, stability, and balance, to measure movement asymmetries and limitations

The Effects of Pre-Workout Meals High in Carbohydrates or Lipids on Muscle Fatigue during Resistance Exercise: A Pilot Study

Purpose: Pre-workout nutrition is important in exercise training and is often overlooked or misunderstood. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of pre-workout meals high in carbohydrates or lipids on muscular endurance in lower body muscles and fatigue during a back squat exercise in physically active college students. Methods: All subjects (n = 8) reported to the lab 2 times, with 24-48 hours of rest between sessions. Subjects’ height, weight, and blood pressure were taken before each session. Subjects were led through a dynamic warm-up consisting of foam rolling, dynamic stretching, and barbell back squat warm-ups every session. Session one was for estimation of subjects’ back squat 1-repetition maximum (1RM) using a PUSH-Strength accelerometer-based velocity tool. During the second session, participants were instructed to consume a carbohydrate or lipid bar and wait 45 minutes for digestion. Subjects then completed the warm-up and performed one back squat set to failure using 75% of their predicted 1RM. Results: The carbohydrate group performed more repetitions and lifted for a longer time than the lipid group (p \u3c 0.05). Conclusion: Our data suggest that a carbohydrate-heavy meal immediately prior is beneficial to maximize muscular endurance in resistance training

A lightweight framework for secure life-logging in smart environments

As the world becomes an interconnected network where objects and humans interact with each other, new challenges and threats appear in the ecosystem. In this interconnected world, smart objects have an important role in giving users the chance for life-logging in smart environments. However, smart devices have several limitations with regards to memory, resources and computation power, hindering the opportunity to apply well-established security algorithms and techniques for secure life-logging on the Internet of Things (IoT) domain. The need for secure and trustworthy life-logging in smart environments is vital, thus, a lightweight approach has to be considered to overcome the constraints of smart objects. The purpose of this paper is to present in details the current topics of life-logging in smart environments, while describing interconnection issues, security threats and suggesting a lightweight framework for ensuring security, privacy and trustworthy life-logging. In order to investigate the efficiency of the lightweight framework and the impact of the security attacks on energy consumption, an experimental test-bed was developed including two interconnected users and one smart attacker, who attempts to intercept transmitted messages or interfere with the communication link. Several mitigation factors, such as power control, channel assignment and AES-128 encryption were pplied for secure life-logging. Finally, research into the degradation of the consumed energy regarding the described intrusions is presented

Profiling the Current Youth Athlete: The Measurement and Evaluation of Athleticism in Today’s Youth

The original purpose of this grant’s research was to create a standardized system of measuring and evaluating current youth levels of physical literacy and athleticism. Due to COVID-19 restrictions throughout 2020, we were unable to obtain IRB approval to test our protocols with youth athletes in the surrounding Portland-McMinnville area as we were unable to meet with large groups of youth athletes face-to-face in indoor settings to run our research protocols. Instead, we pivoted and conducted pilot data with our Linfield varsity student-athletes due to our ability and already-invested time and energy with them through team-wide organized strength and conditioning sessions. We were able to lead 13 varsity teams through a battery of tests examining their speed, strength, stamina, and cognitive abilities. We were then able to run statistical analyses to provide individual athletic profiles for the coaches of each of the teams, providing them insight on their athletes’ physical limitations, as well as ranking on how they compare on each test across all varsity student-athletes on campus. The data collected will then be used to “trickle down” to high school and youth athletes to provide long-term tracking of quantitative athleticism as they aspire to meet athletic marks seen in NCAA Division-III athletes

THE IMPLICATIONS OF UNILATERAL TRAINING ON PERFORMANCE

T. P. Wyland & G. F. “Cisco” Reyes Concordia University, Portland, OR The increased implementation of unilateral exercises into performance training programs has led exercise science professionals to pursue the efficacy of unilateral over bilateral exercises. PURPOSE: to compare changes in musculoskeletal strength and power due to unilateral (UL) and bilateral training (BL) programs for the upper and lower body. METHODS: Eleven male and female subjects (age: 22.6 ± 4.4, weight: 78.3 ± 19.9 kg, height: 175.2 ± 7.62cm) with at least six months of consistent resistance training experience were randomly assigned to either the UL training group (n = 6) or the BL training group (n = 5). All subjects were pre-tested bilaterally for one-repetition maximum (1RM) on the bench press and deadlift, as well as maximal repetitions for pull-ups and vertical jump. Each group performed 8 weeks of a periodized resistance training program with equivocal volume between groups. Intensity of exercises was adjusted per subject, per movement, per training session to insure an increase in the amount of weight lifted. Differences between training groups existed as the BL performed all exercises bilaterally, while the UL group performed single-limb variations of the same types of exercises. Exercises included dumbbell bench press, barbell deadlift, lat pulldowns, plyometric box jumps, dumbbell squats, inverted rows, and dumbbell military press. RESULTS: No significant differences in performance were identified between training groups. However, statistically significant improvements were reported within groups, as vertical jump (53.4 ± 17.7 cm pre-test to 58 ± 16.1 cm post-test, p = 0.012) and deadlift (113.7 ± 41.6 kg pre-test to 131.4 ± 40.7 kg post-test, p \u3c 0.0001) improved in the UL group. Within the BL training group, only the deadlift saw significant improvements (120.4 ± 53.7 kg pre-test to 132.3 ± 55.5 kg pre-test, p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: The data from this study suggest that training unilateral in specific exercises can increase performance to the same degree as bilateral training. These results illustrate the efficacy of unilateral training to develop muscular strength and power

Athleticism as Predictors of Basketball Performance

INTRODUCTION: Rebounds per game are indicative of performance in basketball. Teams gain or maintain possession of the ball through rebounding. The purpose of this study was to identify the contribution of specific components of athleticism to rebound performance. METHODS: Average rebounds per game was used for performance from most recent competitive seasons. Aspects of athleticism were identified through a combination of seven performance tests: maximum vertical jump, reactive strength index, seated medicine ball chest pass, flying 10-yard sprint, isometric mid-thigh pull, 2-minute hurdle jump, and a reactive/cognitive agility test. RESULTS: Participants (n=14) from the Men’s varsity Basketball team (mean age: 20.07 ± 1.38 years; height: 75.42 ± 2.26 in; weight: 192.55 ± 26.05 lbs) averaged [3.82 ± 1.89] rebounds per game. There was no significant effect of specific aspects of athleticism on rebound performance: [F(2,10) = 0.3352, p=0.723.]. DISCUSSION: The results of this study suggest that athleticism is not related to rebound performance in basketball. Past research suggests a correlation between athleticism and cognition on basketball performance (Mangine et al., 2014). Future research should further examine how individual aspects of athleticism may relate to performance. Limitations for this study include self-reported rebound data and data collection across different seasons

Force Displacement during Front Squats Using Three Different Shod Conditions

Introduction: Improving technique and strength in resistance training is a popular topic, including footwear. The purpose of this study is to determine which of three shod conditions, barefoot, Roshe, and basketball shoes, results in greater force displacement. Methods: Seven collegiate football players (19.3 years) completed four days of an 85% repetition maximal front squat protocol over the span of four weeks. A lifting session consisted of a ten-minute warm up, followed by a five-minute weight build up and a three repetition trial. Force displacement was measured using a force plate during the three repetition trial. For each session, participants completed the protocol in a different shod condition in which the order was randomly assigned. Results: There were no significant differences in force displacement between the three shod conditions. Discussion: Participants prefer one shod condition over the others; however, when measuring force displacement, there is no difference. Future research could examine the effect of different shod conditions on range of motion