Sports Sciences Commons^™

Comparisons Between Movement Onset Identification Methods Used In Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Test, Junshi Liu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation aimed to explore the usefulness of using force derivatives for onset detection in the isometric mid-thigh pull test. First, we examined applications of three differential calculus principles, first and second derivative, and curvature using visual detection as a reference under different baseline conditions. Second, we compared the best derivative method to a threshold-based method using visual detection as a reference. Results of our first investigation showed trivial differences between many differential calculus methods and visual detection. However, statistical differences exceeding a trivial effect was observed when instantaneous force and rate of force develop were examined. Through the first …

Comparison Of Muscle Physiology And Performance Outcomes From Either Relative Intensity Or Repetition Maximum Training, Kevin Carroll

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The main purpose of this dissertation was to compare performance and physiological outcomes of between a repetition maximum (RM) and a relative intensity using sets-and-repetitions (RI_SR) resistance training (RT) program in well-trained lifters. Fifteen subjects underwent RT 3 d·wk^-1 for 10-weeks in either a RM group (n=8) or RI_SR group (n=7). The RM group achieved a relative maximum each day while the RI_SR group trained based on percentages. Testing included percutaneous needle biopsies of the vastus lateralis, ultrasonography, unweighted (g to assess within and between-group alterations. RI_SR from pre-to-post yielded statistically significant increases in …

Preparing For A National Weightlifting Championship: A Case Series, Spencer K. Travis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to observe psychological, physiological, and performance changes to determine when two high-level weightlifters were peaked for a major competition. We addressed this purpose by conducting a two-part case study series with one USA international level female and one USA national level male weightlifter. Both athletes were considered to be peaked on competition day. The results support our hypothesis that jumping performance would be peaked on competition day corresponding with an increased recovery and decreased stress state. However, contrary to our hypothesis, each athlete exhibited small decreases in muscle size leading into the competition relative …

Fascicle Arrangement In College-Aged Athletes, Jacob Goodin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To compare muscle architecture variables between sport and sex in competitive athletes, and to compare muscle architecture with performance variables in strong versus weak athletes, and good versus poor jumpers. Methods: The vastus lateralis (VL) and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) muscles of 139 collegiate athletes were collected using ultrasonography to determine muscle thickness (MT), pennation angle (PA), fascicle length (FL), and relative fascicle length (FL_rel). Absolute and relative peak power, absolute and relative isometric peak force, and jump height were measured in a subset of baseball and soccer athletes. A 5x2 factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used …

Cluster Set Loading In The Back Squat: Kinetic And Kinematic Implications, Alexander Wetmore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinetic and kinematic implications of cluster loading as a resistance training programming tactic. Cluster loading involves introducing rest during a set which may allow athletes to train at higher absolute intensities. Eleven trained males were recruited for this study. Subjects completed two testing sessions consisting of three sets of five back squats at 80% of their one repetition maximum. Cluster loading included 30s of inter-repetition rest. All testing was done on dualforce plates with four linear position transducers. Paired sample t-tests were used to determine differences between conditions with Cohen’s d …

Relationship Of The Srss Questionnaire With Physiological And Performance Measures, Alec Perkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The overall purpose of this thesis was to validate the SRSS questionnaire. This was accomplished by conducting a single investigation using eleven well-trained weightlifters with at least one year of competition experience. These weightlifters completed five testing sessions over the course of five microcycles leading up to a competition. Every testing session took place on Monday morning prior to regular training and included: hydration testing, SRSS questionnaire, blood draws followed by a standardized warm-up protocol and squat jumps (SJ) with 0kg and 20kg. While the majority of SRSS recovery and stress items did not change with changes in VL or …

Optimizing High-Speed Exercise Performance : Effect Of Load., Ling Bai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify an optimal load for the knee extension exercise done with Impulse (Newnan, GA). Forty-one women and twenty-nine men made six laboratory visits, including two familiarization sessions of the knee extension exercise and four real workout sessions which entailed four 30-second exercise sets, separated by 120-second rests, against four different loads (0Kg, 3.41Kg, 5.68Kg, 7.95Kg). A Latin Squares design was used to counterbalance the sequence of the sets. Average force (AF), peak force (PF), total work (TW), Impulse value, and the number of knee extension repetitions were each analyzed with a 2 (gender) …

Case Report: A Novel Ocular Screening Aid For Detection Of Sport-Related Concussion In High School Athletes, Payton Monson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop, implement and determine the general effectiveness of a novel battery of ocular tests referred to as the Rapid Ocular Screening Test (ROST) that can be performed efficiently on the sideline and is based on our current understanding of the physiological effects of blunt head trauma on ocular functioning.
Background: Assessment of ocular function following a suspected head-injury has been recognized as an important adjunct to a concussion evaluation protocol; however, sideline-screening recommendations currently do not include a comprehensive set of ocular functioning tests. Three high school student athletes who suffered a …

A Longitudinal Examination Of Eating Disorders And Associated Risk Factors In Division I Student-Athletes, Nicole Court-Menendez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

CONTEXT: Eating disorders represent a significant concern across multiple populations including collegiate athletes. Risk factors for eating disorders may be amplified in athletes because of internal and external performance and image expectations. Little is known about how these risk factors change over time in collegiate student-athletes.
OBJECTIVE: To longitudinally examine select eating disorder risk factors in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I student-athletes.
DESIGN: Descriptive longitudinal study.
SETTING: NCAA Division I collegiate athletics.
PARTICIPANTS: Retired Division I collegiate athletes (n=204), ages 18-22, who competed in football, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, baseball, men’s and women’s track and field, men’s and …

Pilot Study: Knowledge And Attitudes Regarding Sport-Related Concussion In A Rural Interscholastic Sport Sample, Austin Westland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Context: Evidence supports education initiatives to improve knowledge of sport-related concussion (SRC) in active children and adolescents, as well as improve attitudes towards reporting concussion events to a supervising adult with the ultimate goal of early diagnosis and management. Most evidence focuses on urban and suburban children’s SRC knowledge and attitudes; however, little is known regarding knowledge and attitudes of children participating in sport in rural environments. Understanding current knowledge and attitudes of rural children can inform future education and health behavior strategies that encourage early reporting. Objective: Two objectives guided this study. First, obtain and analyze pilot data regarding …

Baseball In The Background: Season Ticket Holder Retention In Summer Collegiate Baseball, Susan Wallrich

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate season ticket purchasing motives in summer collegiate baseball, specifically in the Northwoods League. The Sport Fan Motivation Scale (Wann, Schrader, & Wilson, 1999) was used in this study to determine fan attendance motives at summer collegiate baseball games. The literature review examines fan motivation, sports as entertainment, and season-ticket holder retention. The results from this study were obtained by administering a modified version of the Sport Fan Motivation Scale (Wann et al., 1999), a 20-question, 5 point, Likert scale survey to season ticket holders of a Northwoods League team. The outcome of …

Ischemic Preconditioning Improves Maximal Accumulated Oxygen Deficit In Ncaa Division I Middle-Distance Runners, Emily Paull

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: There is an ongoing debate concerning whether ischemic preconditioning elicits consistent and meaningful exercise performance benefits. We have previously demonstrated no performance benefits of ischemic preconditioning at submaximal aerobic exercise intensities. It is likely that the beneficial effects of ischemic preconditioning on performance only involve supramaximal anaerobic exercise bouts, which elicit greater metabolic and neuromuscular stress. The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that ischemic preconditioning improves maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (aO2D), an indicator of anaerobic capacity, in NCAA Division I middle-distance runners. Methods: A randomized sham-controlled crossover study was employed in which 10 NCAA Division …

Effectiveness Of A Low-Budget Sports Vision Training Program For Improving Batting Statistics Of An Ncaa Division I Baseball Team, Adam J. Melstrom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Context: Sports vision training (SVT) has been increasing in popularity among many dynamic reactive sports. Dynamic reactive sports require extremely accurate detection and discrimination of visual stimuli in order to execute a precise motor response. Manual interception, locomotion, and depth judgement are found to be the most important visuomotor abilities with interceptive sports such as baseball. Baseball is a highly visually demanding sport, especially offensively. The effectiveness of the batter is dependent on his/her ability to locate, track, and swing at a projectile in ~0.2 seconds. This presents the opportunity to implement an SVT program with a baseball team as …

Using Anthropometrics To Predict Performance In Division I Female Volleyball Athletes, Peter Chrysosferidis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this study was to examine the ability of anthropometrics (AP) to predict both performance testing (P) (n = 14) and game performance (GP) (n = 10) in female collegiate volleyball players; the relationship between AP and both P and GP. AP consisted of segment lengths and ratios, body height, weight, and fat mass. For P, sport-specific performance tests were conducted assessing power and agility. Attacking and defensive GP statistics were transcribed from Volleymetrics for analysis purposes. AP, P, and GP were normalized through the use of Z-scores by team (T), front row (FR), and back row players …

An Objective Measure Of Sleep In Division I College Soccer Players Compared To The General College Population, Natalie Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Sleep is necessary for proper recovery from daily life for both college athletes and students.

Purpose: To objectively evaluate the sleep quality of college athletes across gender, comparing them to a normal college student population.

Methods: A convenience sample of 104 subjects (19.39 ± 1.28 years), 42 Division college athletes and 62 comparison college students completed one week of data collection using the ActiGraph GT3X device. Wear time, sleep time, and wake time were recorded by each participant. Independent variables were athlete status and gender. Dependent variables were Total Sleep Time (TST), Wake After Sleep Onset (WASO), Latency, and …

Self-Efficacy, Implicit Theories Of Ability, And 2 X 2 Achievement Goal Orientation: A Mediation Analysis In Collegiate Athletics, Cory Cottrell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Achievement goal theory encompasses the adaptive and maladaptive responses to achievement situations and has a strong background in sport research. (Dweck, 1986; Nicholls, 1984; Senko, Hulleman, & Harackiewicz, 2011). A 2007 meta-analysis established self-efficacy and implicit theories of ability as antecedents of achievement goal orientation (Payne, Youngcourt, Beaubien, 2007). Using the 2 x 2 achievement goal paradigm the purpose of the study looks to evaluate antecedents of self-efficacy and implicit theories of ability on achievement goal endorsement in collegiate student athletes. The current study examined implicit theories of ability as a mediator between self-efficacy and each of the 2 x …

Baseline Postural Control Measures: An Indicator For Increased Injury Frequency Following Sports Related Concussion, Emily Belson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: An increase in acute lower extremity (LE) injuries have been observed in athletes following sports-related concussion.^{1, 2, 3} It has been suggested that lingering postural control deficits as a result of concussive injury, may play a role in the increased prevalence of injury.¹ PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between baseline postural control metrics (Root Mean Square; Peak Excursion Velocity; Sample Entropy) and acute LE injury frequency in NCAA Division I student athletes (SA) with a previous history of concussion. METHODS: Eighty-four NCAA Division I SA were selected from a single university, 42 SA with a previous history …