Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

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 …

Reliability Of A Cycle Ergometer Peak Power Test In Running-Based Team Sport Athletes A Technical Report, George Wehbe, Tim Gabbett, Timothy Hartwig, Chris Mclellan

Chris McLellan

Extract: Given the importance of ensuring athletes train and compete in a nonfatigued state, reliable tests are required to regularly monitor fatigue. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability of a cycle ergometer to measure peak power during short maximal sprint cycle efforts in running-based team sport athletes. Fourteen professional male Australian rules footballers performed a sprint cycle protocol during 3 separate trials, with each trial separated by 7 days.

Football Betting And The Efficient Market Hypothesis, Ravija Badarinathi, Ladd Kochman

Ladd Kochman

Three betting rules which had been nonrandomly profitable in both their initial application to the 1969-74 National Football League seasons and their replication during the years of 1975-81 were applied to all NFL games played between September 1984 and January 1994. One rule proved to be nonrandom and profitable for a third consecutive trial--a feat suggesting that bettors may be able to "beat the bookie" and, more broadly, that prices in competitive markets may not discount all available information in swift fashion.

Coaching And Concussions: Prevention, Education, And Perspective, Colby J. Felts

Honors Thesis

The large participation of players and coaches in football has made it one of the most popular sports in America. Concussions have specifically gained national attention in football due to frequent, high impact collisions. A concussion injury poses a unique threat in high school football because of the developing adolescent brain and high participation numbers. Additionally, lack of medical personnel to diagnose concussions at the high school level imposes a legal duty on the coaches. The thesis develops a recommended plan of action for directors of Iowa high school football to assist in preserving the future of the sport. A …

Performance Analysis Of Professional, Semiprofessional, And Junior Elite Rugby League Match-Play Using Global Positioning Systems, Chris Mclellan, Dale Lovell

Chris McLellan

The aim of the present study was to examine the positional differences in physical performance measures of professional, semiprofessional, and junior elite rugby league match-play using portable Global Positioning Systems (GPSs). Twelve professional, 12 semiprofessional, and 18 junior elite male rugby league players were monitored during 5 regular-season competition matches using portable GPS software. The mean total distance traveled during professional (8,371 ± 897 m) and semiprofessional (7,277 ± 734 m) match-play was significantly (p < 0.05) greater than that traveled during elite junior (4,646 ± 978 m) match-play. Position-specific total distance traveled and distance traveled per minute of playing time were significantly (p < 0.05) less for junior elite backs (5,768 ± 765 m; 74 ± 11 m·min-1) and forwards (4,774 ± 564 m; 82 ± 5 m·min-1) in comparison to those in professional (backs: 8,158 ± 673 m; 101 ± 8 m·min-1 and forwards: 8,442 ± 812 m; 98 ± 12 m·min-1) and semiprofessional (backs: 7,505 ± 765 m; 94 ± 8 m·min-1 and forwards: 6,701 ± 678 m; 89 ± 8 m·min-1) match-play. Maximum running speed, maximum sprints, and total sprint distance traveled by professional players were all significantly (p < 0.05) greater than those traveled by junior elite players but not semiprofessional players during match-play. Professional backs and forwards performed significantly (p < 0.05) more maximum sprints and traveled greater total distance during match-play in comparison to semiprofessional and junior elite players. The present findings demonstrate minimal differences in the physical performance measures of professional and semiprofessional rugby league match-play. The position-specific performance characteristics of junior elite match-play indicate that current junior elite player-development pathways may not provide adequate preparation for players transitioning into professional competition.

Supporting Football: The Physical Damage Of The Game, Greg Youngblood

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"How ethical it is to support football since it is a sport that 'wreaks devastation on brains and condemns many players to diminished brain functioning, premature dementia, and the like.' ... Instead of asking if supporting football is moral or not I believe we should be asking ourselves as players, coaches, and fans how can we use the gifts, talents and abilities God has given us to create a culture in sports where we demonstrate the spirit of God and work for his glory."

Posting about the morality of supporting football as well as ethics in football from a Christian …

Why We Should Watch Football, Greg Youngblood

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"Playing sports alone does not develop character, and sports in a corrupt context will develop bad character, but sports played according to God’s plan develops character that honors and glorifies God and develops people who have a deeper understanding of how God works in their lives and how they can serve God even after their playing days are over."

Posting about the morality of supporting football as well as ethics in football from a Christian perspective from In All Things - an online hub committed to the claim that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has implications for …

National Football League Combine, Ricardo Jones

Master of Arts in Sport Management

The NFL Combine is an annual event where potential professional football players get the opportunity to interview with professional teams. The Combine is an invite-only event where the athletes prepare for weeks before the actual event. This paper discusses the marketing plan of the NFL Combine with a goal to market to current and new football fans across the globe. This paper also covers strategies that will be used to retain employees along with a feedback process. A risk management plan was included to protect participants and employees. This risk management plan also includes a contingency plan in case issues …

Controlled Laboratory Comparison Study Of Motion With Football Equipment In A Destabilized Cervical Spine: Three Spine-Board Transfer Techniques, Mark L. Prasarn, Marybeth Horodyski, Matthew J. Dipaola, Christian P. Dipaola, Gianluca Del Rossi, Bryan P. Conrad, Glenn R. Rechtine Ii

Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Numerous studies have shown that there are better alternatives to log rolling patients with unstable spinal injuries, although this method is still commonly used for placing patients onto a spine board. No previous studies have examined transfer maneuvers involving an injured football player with equipment in place onto a spine board.

Purpose: To test 3 different transfer maneuvers of an injured football player onto a spine board to determine which method most effectively minimizes spinal motion in an injured cervical spine model.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Methods: Five whole, lightly embalmed cadavers were fitted with shoulder pads and …