Force plate-derived countermovement jump normative data and benchmarks for professional Rugby League players

The countermovement jump (CMJ) is an important test in rugby league (RL), and the force plate is the recommended assessment device, as it permits the calculation of several variables that explain jump strategy, alongside jump height. The purpose of this study was to produce normative CMJ data and objective benchmarks for professional RL forwards and backs. Normative data for jump height, modified reactive strength index, and jump momentum are provided for 121 professional RL players (66 forwards and 55 backs) who completed CMJ testing on a portable force plate during preseason training. Standardized T-scores (scaled from 0 to 100) were calculated from the respective positional group mean and standard deviation to create CMJ performance bands that were combined with a qualitative description (ranging from extremely poor to excellent) and a traffic light system to facilitate data interpretation and objective benchmark setting by RL practitioners. The jump height and modified reactive strength index benchmarks were larger for the lighter backs, whereas the jump momentum benchmarks were larger for the heavier forwards. The presented novel approach to compiling and presenting normative data and objective benchmarks may also be applied to other data (i.e., from other tests or devices) and populations

EFFECT OF THE NORDIC HAMSTRING EXERCISE ABILITY ON IN-VIVO FASCICLE DYNAMICS DURING VARIATIONS OF THE NORDIC HAMSTRING EXERCISE.

The purpose of this study was to determine if the ability to perform the Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) impacts upon the fascicle dynamics of the bicep femoris long head during the NHE performed flat, declined and inclined. 10 physically active individuals (8 males and 2 females, age 24.1±3.9 years, body mass 81.8±8.9kg, height 178.8±7.7cm) with a history of performing the NHE, were separated into two equal groups of high and low performers of the NHE via break point angle assessed using 3D motion capture. Dynamic ultrasound (US) videos were collected using a 10cm probe, while semi-automatic software analysed the dynamic US videos. Fascicle lengthening during the NHE is dependent on NHE performance ability, with likely differences (non- overlapping control limits) between high and low performers. While absolute fascicle change was greater in the incline NHE for low performers, greater FL change was observed in the flat NHE for high performers. This could be as a result of the high performers possessing greater resting fascicle length and eccentric hamstring strength

Effect of Marital Instability on Children in Abeokuta Metropolis

Marriage instability has hindered the growth and progress of many homes and children in Nigeria. Many factors could be responsible for this disappointing situation. The study therefore focused on identifying effects of marital instability on children in Abeokuta Metropolis. A descriptive research method was adopted for the study. The total numbers of two hundred and fifty one (251) respondents were selected from Abeokuta Metropolis using stratified and systematic sampling technique with the use questionnaires to collect information from respondents who participated in the study. The data collected were carefully analysed using percentages supported by chi-square to represent the raw data in a meaningful manner. it was discovered that children of divorced/separated are prone to drug addiction, armed robbery, commercial sex workers and other forms of criminal activity, not only that they also tend to go wayward, naughty, unruly and rebellious. The study also established that children who grow up in a single parent family are more likely to be used for trafficking, rituals and house helps than the children who grow up in an intact family. It is therefore recommended that family counselling be emphasized by the stakeholders (government, religious leaders, and counsellors to minimise instability in the family and effort should be intensified to discourage marital discord

Load absorption force-time characteristics following the second pull of weightlifting derivatives

The purpose of this study was to compare the load absorption force-time characteristics of weightlifting catching and pulling derivatives. Twelve resistance-trained men performed repetitions of the hang power clean (HPC), jump shrug (JS), and hang high pull (HHP) on a force platform with 30, 45, 65, and 80% of their one repetition maximum (1RM) HPC. Load absorption phase duration, mean force, and work were calculated from the force-time data. The HHP produced a significantly longer load absorption phase duration compared to the HPC (p < 0.001, d = 3.77) and JS (p < 0.001, d = 5.48), while no difference existed between the HPC and JS (p = 0.573, d = 0.51). The JS produced significantly greater load absorption mean forces compared to the HPC (p < 0.001, d = 2.85) and HHP (p < 0.001, d = 3.75), while no difference existed between the HPC and HHP (p = 0.253, d = 0.37). Significantly more load absorption work was performed during the JS compared to the HPC (p < 0.001, d = 5.03) and HHP (p < 0.001, d = 1.69), while HHP load absorption work was also significantly greater compared to the HPC (p < 0.001, d = 4.81). The weightlifting pulling derivatives examined in the current study (JS and HHP) produced greater load absorption demands following the second pull compared to the weightlifting catching derivative (HPC). The JS and HHP may be used as effective training stimuli for load absorption during impact tasks such as jumping

Perceived Influence of Organizational Culture and Management Style on Employees Performance in Nigerian Banking Sectors

The concept of organizational culture has gained wide acceptance in understanding the management of change in human relation practices. The review of numerous literatures proved that management of human resource in organization has become indispensable in attaining the mission and vision statement. In the light of the complexity of organizational culture and how it impacts on employees’ performance, the study examined the fears and style of management in integrating employees to the values, norms and beliefs of organizations s in organization on the performance of their employees. The survey descriptive research design was adopted for the study and empirical data for the study were collected through a well-structured questionnaire, which was prepared and distributed among the staff and management in Abeokuta Metropolis, Ogun State, South-West Nigeria. 97 questionnaires were duly filled and returned. Stratified and simple random sampling methods were adopted in selecting the participants for this study. The inferential statistics was adopted through SSPS. The findings revealed that it is evident that strong relationship exists between organizational culture and employee performance, suggesting organization material such as equipment handling; social behavior and symbolic elements have positive and large influences the performance of employees. It was also evident that there was a significant relationship between employees’ attitudinal behaviors and management style; while relative relationship exists between learning new culture and cooperation among employees.   An organization with a culture that encourages employee participation, commitment, team work, which is characterized by team work and harmony, and which give room for employee self-development and improvement will attract highly attract, retain and motivate highly skillful individuals. No doubt, this will result in a high performing organization evident in its profitability and turnover rate. Consequently the challenge of incompatibility in values, beliefs and norms that could arise between employee and the organization will be avoided. Keywords: Innovation, Learning, Values, Mentality, Promotion, Communication Style, Customers Estee

EARLY PRE-SEASON CHANGES IN THE COUNTERMOVEMENT JUMP OUTCOME AND STRATEGY VARIABLES OF ENGLISH SUPER LEAGUE RUGBY PLAYERS

The aim of this study was to quantify changes in typical (i.e., jump height) and alternative (i.e., jump momentum) countermovement jump (CMJ) outcome and strategy variables, alongside maximal strength, during the early English Super League pre-season period. Twenty professional senior male rugby league players from an English Super League club performed CMJ and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) testing (3 trials of each) on portable dual force plates on the first and last day of pre-season training held prior to a short Christmas break (December 2021). Select CMJ outcome and strategy variables and both absolute and relative (to body mass) peak force for the IMTP trials were automatically calculated via proprietary software. IMTP peak force significantly increased in both absolute and relative terms (moderate effects; g = 0.69) reflecting the aims of the pre-season training programme. Countermovement depth moderately reduced (r = 0.76) but time to take-off and reactive strength index modified remained unchanged. A small but non-significant increase in body mass was noted, which, along with increased jump height (small effect; g = 0.46), contributed to a significant, moderate increase in jump momentum (g = 0.59). Quantifying concomitant changes in CMJ outcome and strategy variables, alongside body mass, during pre-season training may offer richer insight into rugby league players’ future physical development requirements beyond jump height alone

Do the peak and mean force methods of assessing vertical jump force asymmetry agree?

The aim of this study was to assess agreement between peak and mean force methods of quantifying force asymmetry during the countermovement jump (CMJ). Forty-five men performed four CMJ with each foot on one of two force plates recording at 1000 Hz. Peak and mean were obtained from both sides during the braking and propulsion phases. The dominant side was obtained for the braking and propulsion phase as the side with the largest peak or mean force and agreement was assessed using percentage agreement and the kappa coefficient. Braking phase peak and mean force methods demonstrated a percentage agreement of 84% and a kappa value of 0.67 (95% confidence limits: 0.45 to 0.90), indicating substantial agreement. Propulsion phase peak and mean force methods demonstrated a percentage agreement of 87% and a kappa value of 0.72 (95% confidence limits: 0.51 to 0.93), indicating substantial agreement. While agreement was substantial, side-to-side differences were not reflected equally when peak and mean force methods of assessing CMJ asymmetry were used. These methods should not be used interchangeably, but rather a combined approach should be used where practitioners consider both peak and mean force to obtain the fullest picture of athlete asymmetry