Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Two Strategies To Improve Stability In A Precision-Based Task: Insights From The Badminton Short Serve, Yochi Iino, Jodie Cochrane Wilkie, Senshi Fukashiro, Shinsuke Yoshioka, Shayne Vial

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The badminton short serve is a highly precise task requiring accurate control of racquet face orientation, which directly influences shuttlecock trajectory and limits an opponent's ability to attack. Previous studies on motor redundancy have emphasized covariation among elemental variables as the primary mechanism for stabilizing performance. However, when the sensitivities of elemental variables differ, performance can also be stabilized by unevenly distributing individual variances without altering correlation — an approach that has received limited attention. This study investigated whether elite players use both the correlation strategy and the uneven variance strategy to stabilize racquet face angles during the short serve. …

Can Dual-Task High-Velocity Exercise Training Improve Cognitive Function In Older Adults? Secondary Analysis Of An 18-Month Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial, Jamie L. Tait, Rachel L. Duckham, Timo Rantalainen, Catherine M. Milte, Luana C. Main, Caryl A. Nowson, Kerrie M. Sanders, Dennis R. Taaffe, Keith D. Hill, Gavin Abbott, Robin M. Daly

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background Identifying strategies to mitigate age-associated cognitive decline is crucial. High-velocity power training enhances physical function in older adults and cognitive training has mixed cognitive benefits, however the combined effects of these interventions remain uncertain. Objective This 18-month cluster randomized controlled trial investigated whether dual-task functional power training (DT-FPT) enhances cognition in older adults and assessed if responses differ by apolipoprotein-E and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) polymorphisms. Subjects and Methods Twenty-two independent-living retirement communities (300 residents, ≥65y at increased falls risk) were randomized to 12-months of group-based DT-FPT (6-months supervised +6-months maintenance, 45–60 minutes, 2/week) performed simultaneously with cognitive and/or …

Effect Of Caffeine Ingestion On Cycling Performance: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Jinyan Wu, Kai Xu, Mingyue Yin, Xianming Ding, Tong Wang, Qiubo Zhang, Xiaowei Wu, Ningkun Xiao

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study aimed to determine the effects of acute caffeine ingestion on cycling performance through a systematic review and meta-analysis, while also exploring the moderating roles of caffeine dosage, training status, and athlete age. A comprehensive search was conducted across five databases, yielding 20 eligible studies with a total of 226 participants. A three-level mixed-effects model was applied to pool main effects on cycling time trial performance, mean power output, mean heart rate, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were performed to examine potential moderators. Caffeine intake significantly reduced cycling completion time (SMD = −0.36, 95% …

Functional Data Analysis Of Vertical Barbell Acceleration During The Pull Of The Power Clean, Tsuyoshi Nagatani, Shayne Vial, Kristina L. Kendall, Paul Comfort, G. Gregory Haff

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between vertical barbell acceleration patterns and power clean performance. Thirty strength-power athletes performed a one repetition maximum (1RM) power clean test, recording vertical barbell acceleration data from their heaviest successful lifts. This data was then analysed using functional principal component (fPC) analysis methods. Three vertical barbell acceleration patterns were extracted, with each primarily reflecting variations in the magnitude of vertical barbell acceleration during the second pull (fPC1), the transition (fPC2), and the first pull (fPC3). Additionally, two fPCs were extracted from displacement fields, which explain timing variations in barbell acceleration …

Influence Of Prior Alkalosis Or Acidosis On Physiological Responses During Passive Hyperthermia, Jacky Soo, Shernise Ng, Chris Abbiss, Olivier Girard, Mohammed Ihsan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study manipulated the blood pH of participants to be mildly acidic or basic prior to passive hyperthermia to examine its effects on thermoregulatory and chemo-regulatory responses, including ventilatory parameters, rectal temperature (Tre) and thermal perception. Twelve healthy males attended three experimental sessions in a double-blind, randomised, counterbalanced design. Passive hyperthermia was induced by hot water immersion at 40°C following the consumption of corn starch (placebo; PLA), ammonium chloride (AC) or sodium bicarbonate (SB). Compared with PLA, SB consumption increased blood pH and HCO3⁻, whilst AC decreased both blood pH and HCO3⁻ (all P <  0.001). Specifically, minute ventilation was unchanged following SB (11.0 ± 3.7 L min⁻¹) but …

What Is Resistance Exercise? A Review Of Current Uses And Potential Ways Forward, Lars H. Lohmann, José Afonso, David G. Behm, Stanislaw D. Siegel, Michael Keiner, Klaus Wirth, Anthony J. Blazevich, Eric R. Helms, Alyssa Joy Spence, Konstantin Warneke

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The resistance exercise (RE) literature highlights the importance and impact of RE in sports performance, daily life, and clinical outcomes. While RE research dates back to the 19th century, current definitions of what constitutes RE are varied and give rise to questions about the requisites of RE. For example, some definitions refer to movements or muscle contractions against external resistance whereas others consider all repeated actions against one’s bodyweight. Taken to the limit, this could introduce confusion between RE and endurance exercise, for example. Without a clear definition, systematic reviews (with meta-analysis) discuss outcomes of studies examining the effects of …

Does Performing Partial Repetitions Beyond Momentary Failure Enhance Muscle Hypertrophy In Volume-Load-Equated Calf-Raise Resistance Training?, Amirali Goli, Parsa Attarieh, João Pedro Nunes, Saman Nehegadar, Saaed Khani, Mohmad Fashi, Sajjad Ahmadizad

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The aim of this study was to determine whether extending traditional calf-raise resistance training sets with partial-range-of-motion (ROM) repetitions in the more dorsiflexed ROM enhances muscular hypertrophy. Sixteen untrained men (25.0±1.7y) completed 10 weeks of unilateral standing calf-raise training (2×/wk) in a within-subject design: one leg performed traditional 10-14RM sets to full-ROM momentary failure (MF; 4-6 sets/session) and the other leg performed half as many sets to full-ROM failure followed by partial-ROM repetitions to a second failure in the more dorsiflexed ROM (PBF; 2-3 sets/session). Total volume-load was equated between conditions; repetitions were counted the same way regardless of the …

Effects Of Maximal Versus Submaximal Intended Velocity Resistance Training On Muscular Fitness Adaptations In Older Adults: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Meiling Tao, Kaifang Liao, Mingyue Yin, Zhili Chen, Yuming Zhong, Chenwen Zhu, Yuou Song, Steve Thompson, Chris Bishop, Yongming Li

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: This systematic review aimed to: 1) explore muscular fitness adaptations (e.g., muscle mass, muscle strength, functional performance) in older adults (≥ 60 years) following exercise with resistance training compared to control; and 2) investigate the moderating effects of load intensity, training frequency, and movement velocity on muscular fitness adaptations.Methods: Four databases were searched (April 2024, updated 2025). Pooled effects for each outcome were summarized using Standardized Mean Difference (Hedges’ g) through a three-level meta-analysis model, and subgroup was used to explore moderators. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.Results: Sixteen studies were eligible (n = 801), …

Influence Of Isometric Hamstring Assessment Modality: Asymmetries Across Bilateral And Unilateral Testing Procedures, Adam E. Sundh, Nicholas J. Ripley, A. J. Lamb, Conor J. Cantwell, Paul Comfort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether unilateral and bilateral assessments display comparable results during the isometric long-lever bridge and to examine the directionality of asymmetry fluctuations across testing occasions. Methods: Forty-four participants comprising of 30 men (age: 19.4 ± 1.3 years; height: 179.8 ± 6.3 cm; body mass: 80.4 ± 10.3 kg) and 14 women (age: 20.0 ± 1.3 years; height: 166.9 ± 7.2 cm; body mass: 64.4 ± 7.4 kg) volunteered to participate in the study. All participants completed two separate testing sessions consisting of two maximal bilateral and unilateral repetitions respectively of the isometric …

Unifying To Advance Understanding: Collaborative, Community-Driven And ‘Open’ Approaches For Better Science In Sport, John Warmenhoven, Ian Shrier, Garrett S. Bullock, Alex O. Holcombe, Sophia Nimphius, Paolo Menaspà, Aaron J. Coutts, Franco M. Impellizzeri

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Historically, sport science and medicine researchers have had difficulty obtaining adequate sample sizes, limiting their ability to make accurate generalizations to populations of athletes. To move towards better and more generalizable research, sport could look to other fields of research, and draw upon collaborative approaches for performing science. These include concepts such as big teams approaches for conducting experimental research, developing data repositories centred on a holistic inter-disciplinary view of the athlete and exploring privacy preserving meta-analytic inspired concepts such as federated analyses or pooled synthetic data. These approaches have enormous potential but do come with their own difficulties and …

Effects Of Eccentric Cycling Training On Aerobic And Functional Capacity In Patients With Heart Failure: A Randomised Controlled Trial, Lucy M. Stauborg, Andrew Haynes, Andrew J. Maiorana, Lawrence G. Dembo, David Lloyd, Kazunori Nosaka, Graham S. Hillis, Daniel J. Green, Louise H. Naylor

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of eccentric and conventional concentric cycle training on aerobic and functional capacity and health-related quality of life in patients with heart failure. Design: Seventy participants (45 after attrition) with heart failure were randomised 1:1 to eccentric (n = 34) or concentric (n = 36) cycling and 45 completed the intervention (eccentric n = 25; concentric n = 20). Each intervention involved 2-weeks familiarisation and 12-weeks of training, performed at matched relative intensity (40–70% of heart rate reserve), twice weekly. Methods: The primary outcome was peak oxygen consumption (V̇O2peak); secondary outcomes included 6-minute walk distance, 30 …

Discrepancies In Combat Sports Injury Reporting: A Comparison Of Athlete Self-Reports And Ringside Physician Data, Colin S. Doherty, Oliver R. Barley, Lauren V. Fortington

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: The objective of this study is to describe and compare competition injuries in combat sports using two sources: (1) athletes' self-reported injury-related health problems (HPs) seven days after the competition, and (2) injury reports completed by ringside physicians immediately after each contest. Design: Cross-sectional study of 29 combat sport events in Western Australia between August 2022 and November 2023. Methods: Athletes reported injury-related HPs through an online questionnaire that included the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire on Health Problems 2 (OSTRC-H2). Ringside physicians-documented injuries/medical notes were provided by the Western Australia Combat Sports Commission. Results: Out of 250 …

The Perceptions And Applications Of Cluster Sets In Strength And Conditioning, Tsuyoshi Nagatani, Shayne Vial, Kristina L. Kendall, Paul Comfort, Jiahao Yang, G. Gregory Haff

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

It is well documented that cluster sets, a modified set structure with additional rest between individual repetitions or groups of repetitions, can be used to modulate exercise-induced fatigue during resistance training. While practical guidelines exist, it remains unclear to what extent strength and conditioning (S&C) professionals utilise this programming tactic. The aim of this study was to examine S&C professionals’ perceptions of cluster sets and their application in practice. A secondary aim was to assess the alignment between cluster set programming tactics used in the field and evidence-based recommendations from the scientific and coaching literature. Forty-six S&C professionals (age: 40.0 …

Effects Of Recreational Football On Body Composition, Cardiometabolic Health, And Functional Performance In Children And Adolescents: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Yanzhao Lei, Yanmei Ding, Bo Wang, Hengzhi Deng, Mingyue Yin, Kai Xu, Hengxian Liu, Meiling Tao, Yanfeng Li, Yilin Zhang, Yuhang Liu, Fanhao Meng, Hansen Li, Xing Zhang, Bitai Wu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: The systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of recreational football on body composition, cardiometabolic health, and functional performance in children and adolescents. Additionally, it explored potential moderators through subgroup analyses. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in six databases in May 2025. A random-effects model was employed for the meta-analysis, and effect sizes were reported as standardized mean differences (SMD, Hedges’ g). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine sources of heterogeneity. Results: A total of 20 studies (N = 2,906; age range: 8–17 years) were included. Of the participants, 1,524 (52.44%) were male, 1,174 …

Enhancing Physical Performance With Ischemic Preconditioning: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Moderators And Performance Outcomes, Yilin Zhang, Kai Xu, Hao Kong, Mingyue Yin, Chenghao Liu, Yun Xie, Liam Kilduff, Gustavo R. Mota, Olivier Girard

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study examined the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on physical performance, considering the influence of timing, warm-up (WU), participant characteristics, and IPC protocols structure. A total of 90 trials (1,439 participants) were retrieved from three databases and assessed using PICOS criteria. Multilevel meta-analyses with cluster-robust variance adjustments were conducted to calculate pooled effect sizes (Hedge’s g). Risk of bias and certainty of evidence were assessed using the RoB 2 tool and GRADE framework. IPC produced a trivial but significant improvement in physical performance (g = 0.13, P < 0.01), which persisted after excluding SHAM effects (g = 0.10; P < 0.01). Significant improvements were observed for maximum repetitions, time to failure, and power output, but not for jump ability, strength, or oxygen uptake. Comparable benefits were found for anaerobic (g = 0.15) and aerobic (g = 0.10) exercise, with greater effects in males and less-trained participants. Performance was further enhanced when IPC was followed by WU (g = 0.16), with the optimal IPC-to-WU interval being ~42 minutes. Without WU, the effective IPC window narrowed to 6–7 minutes. In practice, IPC can enhance physical performance, independently of sham effects, moderated by sex, training level, and WU. For competition or testing, the most effective strategy appears to be 3 or 4 × 5-min IPC protocol, followed by a 42-min interval, standardized warm-up, and endurance testing. For mechanistic studies, WU should be excluded, and testing conducted 6-7 minutes post-IPC. Future research should target women, middle-aged individuals, and elite athletes.

Protective Effect Of Lower Limb Strength On Lower Limb Injuries Within International Sixes Lacrosse Players: A Nine-Month Prospective Study, Nicholas Joel Ripley, Matthew Collier, Jack T. Fahey, Paul Comfort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Abstract – Ripley, NJ, Collier, M, Fahey, JT, and Comfort, P. Protective effect of lower limb strength on lower limb injuries within international sixes lacrosse players: A nine-month prospective study. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2026—The aim of this study was to prospectively determine whether lower limb strength, assessed through the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), offers a protective effect to future lower limb injury in international men's sixes lacrosse players. Nineteen elite nonprofessional men's sixes lacrosse players from the British Men's Lacrosse team (25.4 ± 4.1 years, 1.8 ± 0.1 m, 88.9 ± 6.8 kg) performed 3 trials of …

An Exploratory Survey Of The Application Of Accentuated Eccentric Loading In Resistance Training, Jiahao Yang, Comfort, Kristina Kendall, G. Gregory Haff

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The aim of this study was to investigate how accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) is currently utilised by strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches. The survey consisted of closed- and open-ended questions divided into 3 key areas of focus (1-Coach and Athlete Demographic, 2-Perceptions of AEL, and 3-Program Design) was administered to S&C coaches. Response frequencies for sections 1 and 2 were calculated as percentages of total respondents, whereas frequencies in Section 3 were calculated relative to respondents who selected each specific training purpose. A thematic analysis was conducted for the responses to an open-ended question. A total of 38 respondents met …

Methodological Considerations For Studies In Sport And Exercise Science With Women As Participants Part Ii: Guidance For Applied Studies In Elite Female Athletes, Kirsty J. Elliott-Sale, Richard J. Burden, Kathryn E. Ackerman, Louise M. Burke, Naama Constantini, Anthony C. Hackney, Rachel Harris, Franco M. Impellizzeri, Xanne A.K. Janse De Jonge, Constance M. Lebrun, Clare Minahan, Sophia Nimphius, Stuart M. Phillips, Sarianna Sipilä, Juliette A. Strauss, Paul Swinton, Craig Sale

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The purpose of this statement is to guide the design and conduct of high-quality sport and exercise science studies investigating the effects of varied ovarian hormone profiles on the health and athletic performance of elite female athletes. Beyond the menstrual cycle, these athletes present with a wide range of ovarian hormone profiles, including those associated with puberty and menarche, menstrual dysfunction, hormonal contraceptive use, pregnancy and postpartum, perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause. To effectively integrate knowledge of ovarian hormone profiles into high-performance sport and address the diverse needs of female athletes, future research and educational initiatives must encompass this broader spectrum …

A Multidimensional Evaluation Of Various Isometric Posterior Chain Strength Assessments: Comparative Force Production Characteristics, Administrative Feasibility, And Athlete-Reported Experience, Adam E. Sundh, Nicholas J. Ripley, Aj J. Lamb, Devin S. Vervoort, Paul Comfort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Isometric posterior chain strength assessments are increasingly employed in high-performance sports for benchmarking and fatigue monitoring, yet little is known about how practical implementation factors influence protocol selection. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility, practicality, participant perceptions, and reliability of four commonly used isometric posterior chain assessments, the long-lever bridge (LLB), standing 90:20, supine 90:90, and supine 30:30. Thirty-seven NCAA division II athletes (19 females: age = 20.1 ± 0.9 years, height = 166.7 ± 5.2 cm, body mass = 67.0 ± 12.1 kg; and 18 males: 19.7 ± 1.2 years, height = 178.9 ± 6.6 …

Importance Of Strength Training To Prevent Secondary Lower Limb Musculoskeletal Injury In Military Personnel, Peter Ladlow, Russell J. Coppack, Robyn P. Cassidy, Rachel Rodgers, Robert Barker-Davies, Paul Comfort, Nicholas J. Ripley, Christopher Bramah, Colin Suffield, Debra Hayhurst, Marina De Vecchis, Samual R. Higgins, Alexander N. Bennett, Oliver O’Sullivan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Considerable operational and financial costs are associated with musculoskeletal injury (MSKI) across military organisations. Following an MSKI, reaching ‘medically fully deployable’ status is often contingent on meeting physical employment standards. Strength training has a critical role to play in military physical preparation, injury mitigation and guiding rehabilitation practice. Low levels of muscle strength are associated with increased MSKI risk, and previous MSKI is a leading risk factor for re-injury. When an MSKI does occur, it is essential that all attempts to mitigate the risk of secondary MSKI are met. Maximal force (muscle strength) and rapid force (rate of force development …

Aspiring Athletes Managing Sport, Education, Social, And Family Life: A Scoping Review, Donna Howard, Ivan Jeftic, Paul Goods, Ben Jackson, Caitlin Fox-Harding, Michael Rosenberg

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: This scoping review considers the experiences of aspiring high school-aged athletes as they navigate the complexities of managing sport, education, social, and family life. The review synthesises existing literature on the decisions, barriers, facilitators, and support systems that influence aspiring athletes' pathways. Design: Systematic scoping review. Methods: Following the PRISMA-ScR framework, four databases were searched (SCOPUS, SPORTDiscus, PsycInfo, CINAHL), and studies involving aspiring high school aged athletes were uploaded to Covidence. Results: Across the four databases 1781 studies were identified through abstract screening and 61 of these studies were used for the final review. Despite the significant commitment that …

Negotiating Relationships With Food, The Body, And Physical Activity: Who Is The Healthiest Of Them All?, Valeria Varea, Victoria Evans, Dawn Penney, Eibhlish O'Hara

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Healthy eating and regular exercise are things that many people aspire to, mainly for health reasons. However, these practices can be complex given broader societal discourses. This paper aims to critically interrogate the social conditions and discursive formations that underpin everyday exercisers’ relationships with food, the body, and physical activity by using biopower and biopedagogies as a theoretical approach, and healthism as a set of discourses. Photo elicitation interviews with vignettes were conducted with nine participants who were regular exercisers. We constructed three different scenarios from the interview data and the theoretical approach: 1. Anna: A performance-driven, health compliant, private …

Association Of Aerobic Performance With Balance, Anaerobic Power, Agility, And Visual Reaction Time In Fencers, Aysel Gökçe Kurt, Manolya Acar

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The study aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic performance on balance, anaerobic power, agility, and visual reaction in fencers and was designed as a prospective cohort study. Materials and methods: This study involved 26 fencing athletes (age = 20.35 ± 5.12 years, sports experience: 8.44 ± 4.33 years). The 20-m shuttle test, the vertical jump test, the Y-balance test, the fencing-specific 4-2-2-4 forward-back step method, and the Nelson hand reaction test were used to evaluate aerobic performance, anaerobic performance, balance, agility-change of direction, and visual reaction, respectively. Results: The maximum oxygen consumption determined with a use of the …

The Metabolic Effects Of Carbon-Plated Shoes On D1 Runners, Bingham Hudson, Cole Kimmel, James Schmidt, Adam Macleod

Student Scholar Symposium

Background: This study looks at the metabolic effects of carbon plated shoes compared to non plated shoes in NCAA Division 1 male cross country/track athletes. Carbon-plated shoes, like the Nike Vaporfly 3 (NVF3), have become popular, but it’s important to understand how they impact oxygen use (VO2) and running efficiency.

Methods: Ten NCAA Division 1 male cross-country runners (n = 10) participated in two treadmill tests using indirect calorimetry to measure oxygen consumption. Each runner completed a 1 mile jog warm up followed by appropriate dynamic stretching. Each runner completed a 6-minute run at 10 mph (6:00 per mile) in …

Variations In Flexibility Across Menstrual Cycle Phases In Female College Students, Libby Steinhart, Avery Cox, Allyson Stallworth, Paige Archbold, Bella Vinson

Student Scholar Symposium

Testing flexibility in female college students throughout menstrual cycle; Exercise Science

Comparing Student-Athletes’ Macronutrient Intake To Recommendations For Pre-Workout Fuel, Amelia Valdez, Macy Holloway, Hannah Settle

Student Scholar Symposium

Adequate macronutrient intake of carbohydrates, fats, and protein is essential for sustaining energy, enhancing muscle recovery, and preventing injuries in athletes. Many student-athletes do not have access to a registered dietitian, which often leads them to rely on unverified nutrition sources that recommend habits non-conducive to optimal performance and recovery. Research shows that student-athletes who have access to a dietitian are more likely to meet the pre-workout macronutrient needs recommended by the Sports Nutrition Care Manual (SNCM). This pilot study analyzed the difference between student-athletes’ pre-workout macronutrient consumption and the pre-workout macronutrient intakes recommended by the SNCM before their first …

The Impact Of Exercise On Albuminuria And Kidney Function In The 2nd And 3rd Trimesters Of Physiological Pregnancy, Wojciech Wołyniec, Andrzej Kochanowicz, Jan Mieszkowski, Łukasz Radzimiński, Marcin Renke, Anna Szumilewicz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Physical activity is an important part of healthy lifestyle and should be continued during low-risk pregnancy. Several studies have suggested that most pregnant women had no contraindications to perform exercises. The aim of the study was to assess the acute effect of an exercise test up to refusal and a chronic impact of an 8-week HIIT program on albuminuria and kidney function in the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Material and Methods: A group of 36 pregnant women was studied. At the beginning of the study, all participants had normal kidney function and albuminuria at rest. Nineteen women …

Physical Performance Differences Between Top And First League Female Football Players: Insights From Locomotion Metrics, Mariola Gepfert, Artur Gołaś, Miłosz Drozd, Katarzyna Strońska-Grabień, Piotr Sawicki, Ewelina Lulińska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: This study aims to compare locomotion metrics between Poland’s Top League and First League at the team level using 10 Hz GPS. Methods: Team-level match data (autumn round) were analysed. The following metrics were computed: total distance, high-speed running (HSR: 19–23 km·h⁻¹ [5.28–6.39 m·s⁻¹]), sprinting (> 23 km·h⁻¹ [> 6.39 m·s⁻¹]), accelerations and decelerations at two thresholds (> 3.0 and > 4.0 m·s⁻²), and Player Load (arbitrary units, tri-axial accelerometry). Between-league differences were tested with Mann–Whitney U; rank-biserial effect sizes were reported. Results: Top League teams covered more sprint and HSR distance and performed more ACC/DEC at both thresholds (all …

The Effects Of Grounding Techniques On Strength And Power In Division Ii Track And Field Athletes: A Pre/Post Cohort Study, Matthew Ronald Hall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Grounding is the practice of connecting the human body to the Earth’s electrical surface. It has been proposed as a natural intervention capable of reducing inflammation, enhancing recovery, and improving physiological balance. While previous research has identified benefits for general health and recovery, limited evidence exists regarding its effects on athletic performance. This study investigated the effects of grounding interventions on strength and power among Division II track and field athletes. A five-week, pre/post randomized prospective cohort design was employed with thirty participants, stratified for men and women, which included three groups: grounding sheets, grounding pads, control. Athletes were assessed …

Knee Injury Prevention Program In An Early Pubertal Female Athlete During A Recreational Softball Season, Doug W. Dendy, Toby Brooks, C Roger James, Micah Lierly

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 12, 2025. This case study was intended to analyze the impact of a knee injury prevention program (KIPP) for a young female athlete in a short recreational softball season. It was hypothesized that initiating a KIPP early within a recreational sports season would positively alter lower extremity biomechanics, subsequently reducing the risk of knee injuries during and after skeletal development. During a recreational softball season, a 13-year-old female athlete completed a preliminary biomechanical test, the drop vertical jump battery (DVJB_pre), underwent a 7-week in-season KIPP, then was …