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Western Michigan University

Sports Studies

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Full-Text Articles in Health and Physical Education

Effectiveness Of Improving Performance With The Bigger Faster Stronger In-Season Training Program, Alicia D. Crelinsten Jun 2008

Effectiveness Of Improving Performance With The Bigger Faster Stronger In-Season Training Program, Alicia D. Crelinsten

Masters Theses

This study investigated the effectiveness of improving performance of adolescents with the in-season Bigger Faster Stronger (BFS) program. Thirty seven high school athletes were divided into three groups; BFS (n=l4 ), traditional weight training (n= l0), and control (n= 13 ). Each participant went through a battery of seven performance pre-tests and post-tests ( estimated 1 ORM incline bench, broad jump, one minute sit-up test, t-test, line drill, 40 yard sprint, 1.5 mile run). Following the pre-testing, the control group continued to participate in their sport. The BFS group participated in the in-season BFS program (30 minute supervised session consisting …


The Effects Of A 6-Weekly Plyometric Training Program On Agility, Jeremy Herniman Jul 2006

The Effects Of A 6-Weekly Plyometric Training Program On Agility, Jeremy Herniman

Masters Theses

PURPOSE: To determine if six weeks of plyometric training can improve an athlete's agility. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: Subjects were divided into a plyometric training and a control group. The plyometric training group participated in a six week plyometric training program. The control group did not perform any plyometric training techniques and were told to refrain from initiating any lower extremity training program. SUBJECTS: Twenty eight subjects were randomly assigned to 2 groups, a plyometric training group and a control group. Subjects were at least 18 years of age, free of lower extremity injuries, and were not involved in any type …


White Rules, Black Stars: Race, Sport, Community, And The Emergence Of Integrated Boys' High School Basketball In Benton Harbor, Michigan, 1945-1965, Christopher Michael Jannings Dec 2004

White Rules, Black Stars: Race, Sport, Community, And The Emergence Of Integrated Boys' High School Basketball In Benton Harbor, Michigan, 1945-1965, Christopher Michael Jannings

Masters Theses

Located in the southwestern corner of the state in Berrien County, the city of Benton Harbor, Michigan rests along the shores of Lake Michigan, in the heart of the Fruit Belt, and near the St. Joseph River. Not until the early 1940s did a significant number of black migrants arrive from the South and larger metropolitan areas in the North to take advantage of a booming a wartime economy, higher paying jobs, and better living conditions. The growing black presence greatly altered the social, political, cultural, and economic structure of Benton Harbor. By the late 1950s and early 1960s the …


The Impact Of The Program For Athletic Coaches Education (Pace) Certification –Mivca Coaching Association, Heather L. Sawyer Aug 2001

The Impact Of The Program For Athletic Coaches Education (Pace) Certification –Mivca Coaching Association, Heather L. Sawyer

Masters Theses

This study identified the level of awareness, and perceived usefulness of the Program for Athletic Coach (PACE) by the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association (MIVCA) (n=296). The study further examined: (1) the extent MIVCA coaches are engaged in PACE; (2) the relative importance of content delivered; (3) the important content to improve coaching; and (4) what the MIVCA coaches believed their personal investment should be in a coaching education program.

The participants were asked to complete a survey that ranked the importance of the domains and standards found in the National Standards for Athletic Coaches (NSAC). Results indicate a relatively …


The Biomechical Analysis Of The Kinetics And Kinematics For Three Figure Skating Jumps, Laura Blazok Apr 2001

The Biomechical Analysis Of The Kinetics And Kinematics For Three Figure Skating Jumps, Laura Blazok

Masters Theses

The problem of this investigation was to describe the kinetics and kinematics of three figure skating jumps: axel, double toe loop, and double loop. Specifically, the researcher investigated impact force, kinetic energy, and selected kinematic variables of female skaters during the landing phase of the three figure skating jumps. Kinetic energy and impact force were calculated during three phases of landing: Initial, Mid, and Final. Each of these phases represented a third of the time spent in landing each of the jumps. The kinematic variables measured during the landing phase of the jumps were vertical velocity, horizontal velocity, shoulder rotation, …


Temporal And Emg Relationships Among The Phases Of Vertical And Depth Jumps, Amanda Albright Apr 2000

Temporal And Emg Relationships Among The Phases Of Vertical And Depth Jumps, Amanda Albright

Masters Theses

Plyometric exercises blend speed and strength training and are often used to help an athlete reach his or her ultimate power potential. Specifically, plyometric training is a technique that enhances neuromuscular excitability, which may in tum increase the ability to achieve a greater work output.

The purpose of this study was to examine the temporal and EMG differences between two different jumping techniques: a vertical jump and depth jumps of varying heights. The study consisted of 20 female physical education majors grouped as skilled or unskilled. Temporal and EMG data were collected for (a) the duration of time spent in …


Biomechanical Analysis Of The Volleyball Overhand Floater Serve, Jian Lu Aug 1994

Biomechanical Analysis Of The Volleyball Overhand Floater Serve, Jian Lu

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate biomechanical factors associated with successful overhand floater serves. Specifically, the study investigated the kinematics of the server at ball-hand contact. Six subjects performed floater serves for this investigation. Subjects served three trials under each of the following conditions: (a) short and long serves and (b) three ball-valve positions at ball-hand contact. Threedimensional cinematographic methods were used to obtain the data. Descriptive statistics were utilized to compare floater and nonfloater serves with respect to distance and ball-valve position. The results showed that (a) more long serves were classified as floater compared to short …


Kinematic Analysis Of Sprinting With And Without The Speed Chute, Douglas Roy West Jun 1994

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.


Investigation Of Past Performance And Sources Of Motivation On Team And Self-Efficacy Of Collegiate Soccer Players, Kevin P. Demers Apr 1994

Investigation Of Past Performance And Sources Of Motivation On Team And Self-Efficacy Of Collegiate Soccer Players, Kevin P. Demers

Masters Theses

This study investigated the relationship between past performance and sources of motivation on team and self-efficacy of collegiate soccer players. The subjects of this study were 92 male collegiate soccer players who participated in MIAA competition in the fall of 1992. Data were collected from team and self-efficacy questionnaires modified for this study. A sport motivation scale from Butt's (1987) Sport Protocol was also used to collect data. The findings of this study indicated that (a) past performance is the primary variable in predicting team efficacy; (b) the coach's rating of player ability was a stronger source of self-efficacy than …


A Cinematographical Analysis Of The Execution Of Three Types Of Pitches Using The Windmill Style Softball Delivery, Bonni L. Kinne Aug 1985

A Cinematographical Analysis Of The Execution Of Three Types Of Pitches Using The Windmill Style Softball Delivery, Bonni L. Kinne

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to identify the specific kinematic and kinetic variables associated with a successful fast ball, drop ball, and rise ball using the windmill style softball delivery. The subjects chosen for the investigation were female pitchers who participated in the Women's National Fast-Pitch Softball Tournament held in Buffalo, New York from August 17, 1984 to August 24, 1984.

After analyzing the data obtained from these subjects, the investigator concluded that: (a) there is a great deal of variability between the fast ball pitching mechanics of elite windmill style softball pitchers; (b) the success of a drop …