Sports Sciences Commons^™

Evaluating The Accuracy Of Baseline Scat6 Mbess Scores Compared To Imu-Derived Postural Stability Metrics In Division-Ii Collegiate Athletes, Brittney Hardin

Academic Affairs

Postural control deficits are a common symptom of sports-related concussions (SRC). While SRC assessments are multifaceted, the Modified Balance Error Scoring System (mBESS) remains a widely used clinical tool for identifying postural impairments in symptomatic individuals. The mBESS test is embedded within the 2023 6^th edition Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT6), which is routinely administered by certified athletic trainers to observe errors in static postural stability both pre-and post-concussion. Recent research suggest that inertial measurement units (IMUs) can enhance the diagnostic accuracy of postural stability assessments by providing objective, quantifiable data. However, existing studies have primarily focused on post-concussion …

Adding A Weight To Constrain The Trunk Increases Knee Joint Kinetics During Sidestep Cutting In Female Athletes, Daniel Kadlec, J. Jordan, Jacqueline Alderson, Sophia Nimphius

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Sidestep cutting exposes the knee to high multiplanar loads that both challenge tissue capacity and provide an opportunity to develop resilience through progressive exposure. This study investigated task constraints applied at the trunk and preparatory step and changes in lower-body joint kinetics associated with ACL injury risk during sidestepping in female athletes. Twenty-one trained female athletes performed six sidestep conditions: pre-planned and unplanned sidesteps, each with and without trunk (holding ~ 5–7.5% body mass at chest level) and preparatory-step (ducking under an adjustable rope at eye height) constraints. Relative joint power at the hip, knee, and ankle was analysed using …

The Impact Of Testing-Parameter Variability On Force Production In The Isometric Single-Leg Long-Lever Bridge: Implications For Training And Testing Rigor In Sporting Environments, Adam E. Sundh, Nicholas J. Ripley, A. J. Lamb, Conor J. Cantwell, Paul Comfort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of knee angle variability on force production outcomes during the single-leg isometric long-lever bridge, thus providing monitoring guidelines for testing rigor with direct implications for feasibility across a variety of high-performance sporting environments. Methods: Thirty 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) all of whom were Division 3 athletes with no recent injury history volunteered to participate in the study. …

Eccentric Exercise: Muscle Damage To The New Normal, Kazunori Nosaka

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

No abstract provided.

Free-Fall Normalised Peak Braking Velocity For Countermovement Jump Monitoring, Karol Kruczek, André Rebelo, Jason Lake, Michał Nowak

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Peak braking velocity (PBV) during the countermovement jump (CMJ) is used to describe descent strategy, but its interpretation is affected by countermovement depth. This study introduced free-fall normalised peak braking velocity (PBVFF), a dimensionless index expressing PBV relative to the displacement-specific theoretical free-fall velocity limit, and evaluated its reliability, performance associations and ranking consequences. Methods: Seventy injury-free male academy footballers (18.7 ± 1.6 years) performed three maximal hands-on-hips CMJs on dual force plates. Using retrospective observational routine monitoring data, one representative testing day per athlete was analysed. Two PBVFF variants were examined: PBVFF normalised to countermovement depth (PBVFFCMD) and …

Exploring Burnout Among Ncaa Collegiate Athletes: The Impact Of Gender, Sport, Seasonal Demands, And Other Contributing Factors, Anneliese Wong

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine burnout among NCAA Division I student-athletes at one mid-sized University in the Rocky Mountains region of the United States and determine whether differences existed based on gender, sport type, competitive season stage, and burnout dimension. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was used and data was collected from 76 student-athletes across 11 varsity sports. Burnout was assessed using items adapted from the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ; Raedeke & Smith, 2001), along with additional items assessing fatigue and seasonal experiences.

Descriptive results showed the student-athletes reported the highest mean level of physical burnout, followed …

Co-Creating An Intervention To Prevent Injuries In Police Force Recruits: A Concept Mapping Study Of Police Force Recruits, Police Force Staff, Health Professionals, And Research Experts, Myles Murphy, Andrea B. Mosler, Garth Allen, Alex Donaldson, Clare L. Ardern, Carolyn A. Emery, Martin Hägglund, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Joanne L. Kemp, Debra Langridge, Tiffany Mcalinden, Thomas Mirco, Sophia Nimphius, Simone Radavelli-Bagatini, Kiera Staley, Vanessa Sutton, Evert Verhagen, Andrea M. Bruder

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: Police force recruits have a high musculoskeletal injury burden, which results in a substantial economic burden and can lead to attrition. The objective of this study was to identify and prioritise the strategies perceived as important and feasible to reduce the prevalence, incidence, and burden of injury in police force recruits. Design: Mixed-methods concept mapping study. Methods: Forty-eight participants were recruited from four broad groups: police force recruits/officers; police force staff; health professionals; and research experts. Participants brainstormed statements in response to a prompt (“To prevent injury and/or reduce the impact of injury on law enforcement recruit training, I …

Effects Of Resisted Movement Training On Change-Of-Direction Speed In Recreationally Active And Trained Individuals: A Systematic Review With Network Meta-Analysis And Meta-Regression, Mingyang Zhang, Urs Granacher, Ruixiang Yan, Hallvard Nygaard Falch, Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo, Kai Xu, Xing Zhang, Jinming Li, Shubo Xu, Yulin Luo, Duanying Li, Jian Sun

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The ability to change directions quickly is critical for performance and injury prevention in multidirectional sports, yet the influence of resisted movement training (R-MT) on change-of-direction (COD) speed remains uncertain. Therefore, we aimed to examine the effectiveness of various R-MT methods on COD speed in individuals ranging from recreational to international level and to determine the relationship between test angle and COD adaptations. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Scopus, and Google Scholar from inception to August 2025. Random-effects pairwise meta-analyses and a Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) synthesized effects of vertically resisted plyometric and …

Do Flywheel Exercises Provide Eccentric-Overload Training?, Darjan Spudić, Kazunori Nosaka

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Interests in eccentric resistance exercises have been increasing in both research and practice. However, implementing eccentric resistance exercise training is often challenging due to the mechanical limitations of traditional training equipment. To address this, flywheel (FW) devices emerged as a practical alternative. FW devices are commonly considered to provide eccentric-overload training, in which the load is greater in eccentric than concentric phase. However, this is not always the case. In this article, we summarize the mechanical and physiological factors influencing the effectiveness of FW devices in achieving eccentric overload. Then, we discuss a significant limitation of FW resistance exercise in …

Acute Effects Of Accentuated Eccentric Loading On Mean Concentric Velocity During Resistance Training: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Jiahao Yang, Tsuyoshi Nagatani, Paul Comfort, Kristina L. Kendall, G. Gregory Haff

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) may acutely enhance the concentric (CON) barbell velocity after the additional eccentric (ECC) load is removed, however there are inconsistent results regarding the effectiveness of this practice within the scientific literature. Objective: The aims of the present study were to: (1) examine the acute effects of applying AEL, only on the first repetition of a set, on mean barbell velocity during the CON phase of the first 3 repetitions of the set and (2) investigate the influence of the magnitude of ECC load, loading differential and exercise selection on the acute effects of AEL. Methods: …

The Effectiveness Of Cluster Vs. Rest-Redistribution Set Configurations To Maintain Movement Velocity During Resistance Training: A Systematic Review And Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis, Tsuyoshi Nagatani, Christopher Latella, Jiahao Yang, Kristina L. Kendall, Shayne Vial, Paul Comfort, Eric J. Drinkwater, G. Gregory Haff

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Alternative set structures such as cluster sets (CS) and rest-redistribution (RR) are often used as a more effective method for preserving movement velocity during resistance training than traditional sets (TS). However, only a limited number of studies have directly compared CS and RR, and their relative effectiveness has not been comprehensively synthesized. The aim of this present study was to systematically synthesize the existing literature examining acute effects of CS and RR on movement velocity during resistance training, compare CS and RR using Bayesian network meta-analyses, and examine potential moderators of these effects using Bayesian network meta-regressions.

Methods: Two …

Sarcomerogenesis: Evidence, Context And Key Stimuli—Response To The Commentary By Power Et Al., Anthony J. Blazevich, Walter Herzog, João Pedro Nunes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Lower Limb Joint Manipulation On Squat Strength And Ankle Range Of Motion: A Sham-Controlled Double-Blind Randomised Cross-Over Trial, Reneigh Morley-Hart, Barrett Losco, Alasdair R. Dempsey, G. Gregory Haff, Sasha L. Aspinall

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The back squat is a commonly prescribed exercise for developing lower body strength. The ability to squat can be affected by reduced ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DF-ROM), leading to limited squat depth and dysfunctional compensatory movement patterns.

Objective: To investigate the effect of high-velocity low-amplitude lower limb manipulations on 1 repetition maximum (1RM) back squat strength, sagittal plane ankle kinematics during a squat, and active DF-ROM in individuals with asymptomatic deficits in DF-ROM.

Methods: Twenty-six enrolled; Twenty-four analysed resistance-trained participants with asymptomatic deficits in DF-ROM participated in this double-blind randomised sham-controlled cross-over trial. Interventions involved high-velocity low-amplitude joint …

Comparison Of Resting Metabolic Rate Estimates Obtained Using Cardiocoachmax, Cosmed Fitmatewm, And Inbody770., Winny Duarte, Adam Mohan, Alec Piñero, Timothy Mui, D.J. Oberlin

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Resting metabolic rate (RMR) denotes the energy expenditure by the body at rest to maintain essential physiological functions. An accurate measurement is important for estimating individual energy requirements, and different measurement devices may produce varying results. PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare RMR estimates obtained using three assessment devices: InBody (IB), CardioCoach (CC), and FitMate (FM), to evaluate differences in their measurements. METHODS: Thirteen healthy adults have been recruited to date through fliers and word of mouth (data collection is still ongoing). All devices were tested in a single morning session after an 8-h fast, 24 h without alcohol, and …

Effects Of Neurocognitive And Neuromuscular Exercises On Skill Performance And Injury Risk In Collegiate Volleyball Athletes, Matthew Albano, Rebecca Whitmer, Mallory S. Kobak, Michael J. Rebold

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Athletic performance often requires rapid responses to unpredictable and environmentally reactive stimuli, highlighting the importance of neurocognitive function. Emerging evidence suggests that integrating neurocognitive and neuromuscular exercises may enhance skill performance and reduce injury risk during competition. These exercises, targeting reaction time, decision-making, audio and visual processing, memory, and dual-tasking may influence both injury incidence and biomechanics. This study evaluated the effects of neurocognitive and neuromuscular training across a collegiate men’s volleyball season, focusing on injury risk and skill performance outcomes (attack percentage and service error percentage). Athletes were randomly assigned to either a neurocognitive condition (NEURO) or …

Effects Of Differentiated Physical Education Learning On Physical Fitness And Active Lifestyle Among Junior High School Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Asep Akbaruddin, Sumbara Hambali, Wahyu Saputra, Mochamad Fajar Permana

Indonesian Journal of Research in Physical Education, Sport, and Health

Background: Low levels of physical fitness and physical activity among junior high school students remain a significant concern in physical education. Differentiated instruction offers a potentially effective approach by tailoring learning activities, levels of difficulty, and instructional experiences to students’ readiness, interests, and abilities. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of differentiated physical education instruction on physical fitness and active lifestyles among junior high school students. Methods: A quantitative approach employing a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control-group design was adopted. A total of 90 junior high school students participated in the study, with 45 assigned to the experimental group and …

Flow In Sport Performance: A Systematic Review Of Psychological Mechanisms And Conceptual Gaps, Nanda Farah Muftia, Heny Setyawati, Donny Wira Yudha Kusuma, Churia Dina Rahmatin, Dewi Ayu Kusumaningtyas, Siti Baitul Mukarromah, Adi S

Indonesian Journal of Research in Physical Education, Sport, and Health

Background: Athletic performance is a psychologically complex process, with “flow” recognized as central to optimal performance. However, its emergence is often treated as automatic and lacks sufficient explanation through broader psychological mechanisms. Objective: This study synthesizes recent literature on flow in sport performance, emphasizing psychological mechanisms, situational determinants, and conceptual gaps. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Eight peer-reviewed, English-language articles (published 2022-2026) retrieved exclusively from the Scopus database met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed using thematic synthesis. Result: Flow is a dynamic psychological process, not a static state. Supporting optimal athletic performance through enhanced …

Analyzing Accessibility And Efficacy Of One Research Survey Website To Test Readability Of Physical Activity Promotion Material Disseminated Online: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study, Jafra D. Thomas, Anuraj Dhillon, Yi Sheng Wu, Jasmine C. Wong, Regina F. Hockert

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Volume 7: Issue 1, Article 2, 2026.  Accessibility is the effort and ability required to access and navigate environments and participate in activities. Physical activity educational materials disseminated to the public and used within behavior change interventions may be hard to read and navigate, decreasing their accessibility and a study’s validity. This study documented, and addressed, issues that may hinder researchers’ ability to gauge accessibility of their online educational materials using the cloze procedure (a direct readability measure, requires guessing missing words from text passages). A multi-stage, mixed methods pilot study was utilized (August 2022 to May 2023). Phase 1: …

Effects Of A 12-Week Tai Chi And Qigong Training Program On Neuromuscular Function And Postural Stability In Elderly Men With Sarcopenia, Muthanna Harith Ekrayyem, Ali Fawzi Ahmed, Saif Rasheed Ghanim

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Sarcopenia is associated with progressive declines in neuromuscular function, balance, and increased systemic inflammation in older adults. This study investigated the effects of a 12-week Tai Chi and Qigong training program in elderly Iraqi men with sarcopenia. Materials and Methods: Thirty men aged 60–65 years with sarcopenia were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). Neuromuscular performance, postural stability, gait speed, electromyographic amplitude, IGF-1, and CRP-hs were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: The intervention group showed significant improvements in reaction time, electromyographic amplitude, postural stability, gait …

Rethinking Existing Extension Programming: A Foundation For Healthy Aging?, Nicholas J. Spokely, Sloane A. Montgomery, Kelsey J. Weitzel, Kristin A. Miller, Marta Novaes Oliveira, Stephen D. Ball, Breanne S. Baker

Journal of Extension

Muscle declines are becoming more prevalent in younger adults, driving the need for accessible exercise programs. The Stay Strong, Stay Healthy (SSSH) Extension program was developed for adults 60 years old or older, but for this study, we enrolled 135 participants aged less than 60 years old in rural and urban counties to assess if it could improve their muscle performance. We analyzed data with time and group comparisons using paired t-tests and 2 × 2 repeated measures ANOVAs. Younger adults significantly improved muscle performance after SSSH, and the results were similar between rural and urban counties. This study …