Exercise Science Commons^™

A Kinesiological Analysis Of Dancers At The University Of Nebraska-Lincoln, Vanessa Reiser

Honors Theses

Supplemental conditioning can improve a dancer’s performance of important skills without taking away from class and rehearsal time. To investigate this further, an individualized conditioning plan based on a specific skill was created for eight student dancers, and the effects were analyzed using a survey and rating scale by a trained dance professor. The results showed improvement of skills for the majority of dancers, along with improved fitness in qualities such as strength and balance. In conclusion, individualized conditioning plans based on a specific skill may benefit student dancers who are juggling intense class and rehearsal schedules.

Comparisons Of Muscle Strength, Size, And Neuromuscular Function In Pre- And Post-Pubescent Males And Females, Zachary M. Gillen

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this study was to compare measurements of muscle strength, size, and neuromuscular function of the forearm flexors in pre- and post-pubescent males and females. Forty pre-pubescent (mean ± 95% confidence interval, age = 9.79 ± 0.35 yrs, n = 10 males, n = 10 females) and post-pubescent (age = 17.23 ± 0.58 yrs, n = 10 males, n = 10 females) participants completed this study. Biceps brachii muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and muscle volume (MV) were quantified from ultrasound images. Participants completed maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) of the forearm flexors and extensors, and submaximal isometric step …

The Impact Of Whoop Technology On Sleep, Recovery, And Performance In Naia Baseball Players, Nolan Harms

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Many key factors – including but not limited to – sleep, nutrition, travel, stress, and practice influence the optimization of athletic performance. Although previous studies have investigated the use of wearable technology in sport to track several such factors, peer-reviewed research specific to WHOOP technology is limited at best. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of WHOOP technology on sleep, recovery, and batting performance in healthy NAIA baseball players. Data was collected over the course of 4 weeks of in-season play on 10 varsity NAIA baseball players (20.40 ± 0.97 years). All games – 18 total …

Identification Of Kinematic And Kinetic Injury Risk Predictors In Division I Football Athletes, Corbin M. Rasmussen, Guilherme M. Cesar, Shinya Takahashi

UCARE Research Products

biomechanical patterns and insufficiencies that may influence risk of ligamentous injury, such as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. One kinematic pattern that has been identified as detrimental to ACL integrity is frontal plane knee collapse (valgus) during jumping and landing tasks.1 Inter-limb differences in force generation have also been connected to the occurrence of lower extremity injury.2 It is not known, however, whether these patterns contribute to the occurrence of lower extremity (LE) non-contact soft-tissue injury. The counter-movement vertical jump (CMVJ) is one way to simultaneously screen for knee collapse and asymmetrical force production patterns. This method was therefore …

Biomechanical Investigation Of Elite Place-Kicking, Chase M. Pfeifer

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Many studies aim to understand the fundamentals of kicking commonly displayed by soccer players [4,6,10,16,17,18,24,25,28,29,30,34,36,38,40]. Of those studies, most are limited to a two-dimensional (2D) analysis using high-speed cameras for position tracking or utilizing electromyography to observe the activity of select muscles [4,6,18,25,29,36]. The few studies that investigate kicking using a three-dimensional (3D) model are limited in their position tracking capabilities and focus mainly on joint flexion potentials and foot speed.

This dissertation is a comprehensive biomechanical analysis (kinematic and EMG) of the field-goal place-kicking techniques of four elite kickers in American football. Data were compared and contrasted with ball …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of Nutrition And Physical Activity Self-Assessment For Child Care (Nap Sacc) For Changes In Physical Activity Behavior, Policy, And Environment In Nebraska Family Child Care Homes, Katie K. Bolte

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Nebraska is the first state to utilize NAP SACC and to modify the evidence-based program for family child care homes (FCCHs). The purpose of this study was to conduct a secondary data analysis to assess the effectiveness of a modified version of the NAP SACC approach in achieving changes in physical activity behavior, policy, and environment in Nebraska FCCHs caring for children ages 2-5 years. Results from this study will be used to improve the NAP SACC physical activity components for FCCHs and will help to inform trainers and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Nutrition and Activity …