Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Effects Of Low Frequency Electrical Stimulation On Muscular Strength And Endurance In Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis, Lisa L. Oglesby

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the results of a practical application of a low frequency electrical stimulation (LFES) program of 8 pps to individuals with multiple sclerosis. Previous research has shown that such a program induces a conversion of fast twitch muscle properties to those of slow twitch. Electrical stimulation was applied for 3 hours per day, 6 days a week, for 6 weeks, to the quadriceps femoris muscle of nine subjects with multiple sclerosis. Pre and post measurements of average peak torque, mean force, and fatigue slope were taken as indices of the muscle's strength and …

Kinematic Analysis Of Sprinting With And Without The Speed Chute, Douglas Roy West

Masters Theses

The problem under investigation was to determine if kinematic differences existed when sprinting with and without the speed chute. Eight Western Michigan University Track and Field Athletes were filmed at 100 frames per second as they sprinted two trials with and without the speed chute.

Three ANOVAs and descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the effects of sprinting with and without the speed chute. Descriptive statistics provided information for numerous dependent variables. Although statistically significant differences (R < .05) existed between sprinting with and without the speed chute, those differences may not be practical for the coach to use in terms of evaluation of sprinting technique, because the differences would be difficult for the human eye to see. Therefore, the speed chute may be a viable training tool as kinematics were only minimally affected.

Can Critical Power Predict And Monitor Swimming Performance?, Michelle L. Stoppenhagen-Noll

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if critical power (CP) can be used to predict and monitor swimming performance. Fifteen female collegiate swimmers from Eastern Illinois University volunteered as subjects for this study. CP was measured on an arm ergometer. Freestyle performances in the 50 and 100 yard distances were also measured. All three tests were measured both pre- and post-season. Results indicated that CP can predict performance in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle swims. Those with higher CP will swim faster. CP can monitor improvement in 50 yard times. CP is not a good indicator of …

Training Profiles Of Collegiate Swimmers: A Survey Of Ncaa Division I, Ii, And Iii Coaches About Their Male Freestyle Swimmers During The 1993-94 Swimming Season, Sean M. Cabbage

Masters Theses

The lack of information about how the majority of college swimming teams train encouraged the author to conduct the following study.

A cover letter and questionnaire, regarding training methods, were sent to all 377 NCAA men's swimming coaches (Division I, II, and III) in the United States, as listed in the 1993-94 NCAA Directory. Approximately 50 percent of all surveys were returned with an equal response rate from each of the respective divisions.

Questions regarded team division and size, the coaches experience level and recent training changes, months of peak training during the 1993-94 collegiate season, peak training volume and …

The Retirement Experiences Of Former Elite Female Netball Players, J. L. Redmond

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Research to date on retirement from sport has been dominated by the study of United States, male, collegiate sports. Studies within Australia, which has a substantially different community based sport system, are just commencing. This study provided an insight into retirement from sport as it was experienced by former Western Australian elite female netball players. Using a qualitative interpretive approach a three stage interview process was employed to capture the individual experiences of each of the 15 participants. The interviewees were also asked to recommend interventions or strategies that netball associations could employ to assist players in their transition out …

The Effect Of Long Term Training On The Bone Mineral Density And Muscle Strength Of Perimenopausal Athletes, Jan Dook

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The aim of this research was to determine if long term training (20 years+) in a high impact weight bearing sport (netball/basketball: NB/88), a low impact weight-bearing sport (running/ field hockey: GEN) and a non weight-bearing sport, swimming (SWI) produced a positive relationship with regional bone mineral density (BMD) and muscle strength. Method: Three groups of perimenopausal athletes (n=20) plus a control group (CON) (n=20) had Total Body BMD and body composition measured by DEXA (Hologic QDR 2000) and isometric strength of dominant arm flexors and leg extensors by a strain tensiometer connected to a strength chair. Differences between groups …

Frequency Of Attainment Of Plateau In Maximal Oxygen Consumption In Differentially Trained Athletes, Jeffrey Michael Seda

Masters Theses

A plateau in oxygen consumption during exercise testing has been considered a requisite indicator of achievement of true maximal oxygen consumption. The wide range of reported percentages of subjects revealing a plateau (7 to 80 percent) indicates that closer analysis of factors that may influence plateau attainment is necessary. This study examined the frequency of plateau attainment in two groups of differentially trained subjects. One group (TR) of 12 males (ages 18-36) were trained runners and the other group (WL) of 12 males (ages 18-31) consisted of trained weight lifters. The subjects participated in a series of maximal exercise tests …