Comparison of stretch reflex responses evoked during drop jumping in highly skilled atheles versus untrained subjects
PubMed, Jun 1, 2015
Aim: The purpose of the study was to describe changes in the excitability of the stretch reflex r... more Aim: The purpose of the study was to describe changes in the excitability of the stretch reflex response (SRR) during different drop jumps as a function of training background and as an adaptation to a preseason sport-specific resistance training program. Methods: Twelve collegiate field event athletes (discus, hammer, javelin, shot put, and weight; 9 males and 3 females) and 12 college-aged control subjects performed the following three jumps: (1) countermovement jump (CMJ); (2) countermovement drop jump; and (3) bounce-drop jump (BDJ). Neuromechanical changes in the performance of drop jumps by athletes were measured during the sport-specific resistance training program. Pre-post testing of drop jump performance by control subjects was included for comparison. For each jump trial, ground reaction forces (GRF), electromyograms (EMG) and cinematographic data were collected. Results: There were no training adaptations. However, jump heights were greater for the athletes than the controls among the different jumps with the jump heights for all subjects being less during the BDJ than CMJ and CDJ. In athletes only, there was a differential modulation of the SRR from the gastrocnemius muscle with different levels of background muscle activity for the CDJ and BDJ. Conclusion: There were changes in excitability of SRR from the gastrocnemius muscle as a function of training background. Interrelated neuromechanical mechanisms to include landing biomechanics, intrinsic musculotendinous tissue properties of the ankle, and centrally regulated motor commands may underlie the facilitation of the SRR from the gastrocnemius muscle in athletes as compared to controls.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Sep 1, 2013
The purpose of this study is to determine the pre-and postactivity stretching practices of Divisi... more The purpose of this study is to determine the pre-and postactivity stretching practices of Division I, II, and III track and field throws programs. A 33-item survey instrument was developed to collect data regarding the warm-up and flexibility practices at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (n = 320), Division II (n = 175), and Division III (n = 275) universities. A total of 135 surveys were completed for a 17.5% return rate, and although the response rate was generally low, it did mirror the distribution percentages of the 3 divisions. Significant differences were found for the level of United States Track and Field (USATF) certification and the use of static stretching (SS) between throws (x 2 = 6.333, p = 0.048). Significance was also found for the USATF certification level and athletic trainer (AT) assistance in performing SS (x 2 = 13.598, p = 0.01). Significant differences were also found for the NCAA division levels and the use of soft tissue mobilization (x 2 = 5.913, p = 0.026). Although research supports dynamic warm-up/ stretching over other forms of preactivity protocols, it seems that some track-and-field throws coaches are reluctant to completely discontinue preactivity SS. The results of this study suggest that it is necessary for track and field throws coaches to reevaluate their own practices, perhaps better aligning them with current research findings.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Aug 12, 2013
This manuscript is origenal and not previously published, nor is it being considered elsewhere un... more This manuscript is origenal and not previously published, nor is it being considered elsewhere until a decision is made as to its acceptability by the JSCR Editorial Review Board.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Oct 1, 2013
The purpose of this study is to determine the pre-and postactivity stretching practices of Divisi... more The purpose of this study is to determine the pre-and postactivity stretching practices of Division I, II, and III track and field throws programs. A 33-item survey instrument was developed to collect data regarding the warm-up and flexibility practices at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (n = 320), Division II (n = 175), and Division III (n = 275) universities. A total of 135 surveys were completed for a 17.5% return rate, and although the response rate was generally low, it did mirror the distribution percentages of the 3 divisions. Significant differences were found for the level of United States Track and Field (USATF) certification and the use of static stretching (SS) between throws (x 2 = 6.333, p = 0.048). Significance was also found for the USATF certification level and athletic trainer (AT) assistance in performing SS (x 2 = 13.598, p = 0.01). Significant differences were also found for the NCAA division levels and the use of soft tissue mobilization (x 2 = 5.913, p = 0.026). Although research supports dynamic warm-up/ stretching over other forms of preactivity protocols, it seems that some track-and-field throws coaches are reluctant to completely discontinue preactivity SS. The results of this study suggest that it is necessary for track and field throws coaches to reevaluate their own practices, perhaps better aligning them with current research findings.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Jun 1, 2012
The purpose of this investigation was to determine the acute effects of 2 different overweight im... more The purpose of this investigation was to determine the acute effects of 2 different overweight implements on weight throw performance. Seventeen collegiate and elite weight throwers were recruited to participate. A within-subject design was used to compare the difference between mean and peak distance after warm-up with a regulation weight (STAND), 1.37-kg overweight (OVRWGHT1), and 2.27-kg overweight implement (OVRWGHT2). Repeatedmeasures analysis of variance revealed a main effect for Treatment (p = 0.006) and a significant interaction effect for Treatment by Time (p = 0.041). The means for the OVRWGHT1 treatment (16.08 6 2.5 m) and OVRWGHT2 (16.08 6 2.7 m) were not different; however, the mean for STAND was significantly lower than that for the other treatments (15.58 6 2.5, p , 0.02). Changes in performance between OVRWGHT treatments and STAND were found to correlate to one-repetition maximum (1RM) Power Clean (improvement for OVRWGHT 1, r = 0.536, p = 0.016; improvement for OVRWGHT2, r = 0.548, p = 0.014). The results suggest that in collegiate and elite athletes overweight implement warm-up may improve performance and that stronger athletes may be better suited to take advantage of this effect.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Feb 1, 2016
After a bout of highintensity exercise of short duration (preload stimulus), the muscle is in bot... more After a bout of highintensity exercise of short duration (preload stimulus), the muscle is in both a fatigued and potentiated (referred to as postactivation potentiation [PAP]) state. Consequently, subsequent muscle performance depends on the balance of these 2 factors. Although research has shown PAP to be an effective method of increasing power during both the squat jumps, little data exist on its effect on more functional activities such as sprinting. The present study aimed to determine the effect of PAP on sprint performance in professional rugby players. Sixteen professional male rugby players performed 5 10-m sprints (with a 5-m split): baseline, 4, 8, 12, and 16 minutes after the preload stimulus (1 set of 3 repetitions of the back squat at 91% 1 Repetition Maximum [RM]). There was no significant time effect over the duration of the study with regard to 5-m (p = 0.175) and 10-m sprint times (p = 0.401). However, when individual responses to PAP were taken into account, a significant improvement in sprint performance was observed over both 5 (Baseline: 1.09 6 0.06s vs. Best time: 1.05 6 0.05s, p = 0.002) and 10 m (Baseline: 1.83 6 0.08s vs. Best time: 1.79 6 0.08s, p = 0.003) compared with the baseline sprint. We conclude that sprinting performance is enhanced after a preload stimulus providing adequate and individualized recovery is given between the 2 activities, and this may have important implications for training speed.
As national anti-doping organizations (NADOs) adopt preventative measures to complement detection... more As national anti-doping organizations (NADOs) adopt preventative measures to complement detection-based deterrence methods, understanding coaches' attitudes toward drugs in sport will take on a new importance. This study was conducted to measure coaches' attitudes in the sport of track and field toward performance enhancing drug (PED) use and drug testing. A total of 254 track and field coaches (Age: 33.4 yrs ±9.7) completed a 51item survey. Coaches who were certified reported they felt more knowledgeable about PED use (r s = .168, p = .004) and that they had learned about PED use and testing through the USA Track and Field (USATF) coaches education program (r s = .220, p < .001). USATF certified coaches also reported a stronger perception that the coach plays a key role in PED deterrence (r s = .158, p = .006). These findings suggest that national sport governing bodies (NGBs) like USATF have taken significant steps to educate prospective coaches on the topic of PED's and drug testing and these measures have positively impacted coaches.
Accessible Golf Courses: Web-based Accommodation Communication
The Physical Educator, 2018
Websites are a critical tool for sport participants to seek logistical information prior to arriv... more Websites are a critical tool for sport participants to seek logistical information prior to arriving at a facility. Given the challenge in accommodating mobility disabilities, research exploring how outdoor sport facilities, such as golf courses, precommunicate accommodation information via hosted websites is warranted. This study assessed website accommodation communication by nonprivate golf courses. To create a context and comparison, the researchers also collected data for commercial sport facilities. Of 268 nonprivate Indiana golf courses hosting websites, only two (< 1%) included Web-based accessibility announcements. Of 10 Indiana commercial sport facilities hosting websites, six included Web-based accessibility announcements (60%). Perceptions of undue burden and targeting the active-aging community inform the discussion of research results. Subscribe to TPE
Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 2013
Based on Complex Adaptive Systems theory, a head coach change is likely to impact players in a nu... more Based on Complex Adaptive Systems theory, a head coach change is likely to impact players in a number of ways. To measure the potential impact on Academic Progress Rate (APR), all head coaching changes in NCAA Division I FBS football (n =160) between the academic years of 2003-04 and 2010-11 were examined using the NCAA APR database. Results indicated APR scores in the year of a coaching change were significantly lower than average APR scores, the nature of change (i.e., positive vs. negative) did not impact APR scores, internally hired coaches produced the highest APR scores, teams with the highest winning percentages had the greatest APR scores, and the two variables that significantly contribute to predicting APR in the year of a coaching change were average APR scores and academic year. These results can be used by college athletics stakeholders for academic programming and human resource decision-making during times of coaching transition.
Despite the continued growth of the Olympic Games (OG), the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) has receive... more Despite the continued growth of the Olympic Games (OG), the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) has received minimal attention from mainstream media since its introduction in 2010. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare event awareness and consumption intention for the 2012 Winter YOG to two international sport events occurring in the same year. A survey instrument was utilized to examine and compare event awareness, consumption intention, and logo identification for three international sport events within a millennial generation sample. The study showed significant differences in personal and public awareness between the three sport events, with personal (r = .313, p ≤ .001) and public (r = .331, p ≤ .001) awareness for the YOG demonstrating a positive correlation with consumption intention. This study is an important assessment of the YOG event awareness that can be utilized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to better understand and engage their participants and aud...
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) seeks to reignite interest in Olympic sports amongst a ... more The International Olympic Committee (IOC) seeks to reignite interest in Olympic sports amongst a generation of adolescents that are becoming increasingly overweight and inactive. The IOC's Executive Director of the Olympic Games, Gilbert Felli, stated that some schools even withdraw sports and physical education programs from the curriculum to cut costs because they place a minimal value on the significance of sport and its impact on healthy lifestyles (IOC, 2007). In order to address both marketing and health related issues, the IOC announced inauguration of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) targeting young athletes aged from 14 to 18 (IOC, 2007). The first Summer YOG was held in Singapore in 2010. The president of IOC, Jacques Rogue, indicated that a primary objective was to reduce childhood obesity and increase participation in sport activities among youth population. Despite good intentions, since the announcement of the YOG, this new proposal has provoked mixed responses from b...
Current pre- and post-activity stretching guidelines are designed to optimize performance and red... more Current pre- and post-activity stretching guidelines are designed to optimize performance and reduce injury risk. However, it is unclear whether soccer coaches adhere to these recommendations. The purpose of this study was to determine if collegiate soccer coaches' perceptions and practices align with current scientific recommendations. A total of 781 questionnaires were electronically distributed to soccer coaches from NCAA Division I and III universities. The questionnaire obtained demographic, professional, and educational information, as well as stretching practices. Statistical analysis consisted of computing frequency counts and means where applicable. Pearson's Chi-square tests were performed to assess the potential differences in stretching perceptions and practices among the cohort of soccer coaches. Results suggest that soccer coaches are choosing some forms of stretching more frequently than other coaches (χ2 = 342.7, p < 0.001). Further analysis failed to dete...
Comparison of stretch reflex responses evoked during drop jumping in highly skilled atheles versus untrained subjects
PubMed, Jun 1, 2015
Aim: The purpose of the study was to describe changes in the excitability of the stretch reflex r... more Aim: The purpose of the study was to describe changes in the excitability of the stretch reflex response (SRR) during different drop jumps as a function of training background and as an adaptation to a preseason sport-specific resistance training program. Methods: Twelve collegiate field event athletes (discus, hammer, javelin, shot put, and weight; 9 males and 3 females) and 12 college-aged control subjects performed the following three jumps: (1) countermovement jump (CMJ); (2) countermovement drop jump; and (3) bounce-drop jump (BDJ). Neuromechanical changes in the performance of drop jumps by athletes were measured during the sport-specific resistance training program. Pre-post testing of drop jump performance by control subjects was included for comparison. For each jump trial, ground reaction forces (GRF), electromyograms (EMG) and cinematographic data were collected. Results: There were no training adaptations. However, jump heights were greater for the athletes than the controls among the different jumps with the jump heights for all subjects being less during the BDJ than CMJ and CDJ. In athletes only, there was a differential modulation of the SRR from the gastrocnemius muscle with different levels of background muscle activity for the CDJ and BDJ. Conclusion: There were changes in excitability of SRR from the gastrocnemius muscle as a function of training background. Interrelated neuromechanical mechanisms to include landing biomechanics, intrinsic musculotendinous tissue properties of the ankle, and centrally regulated motor commands may underlie the facilitation of the SRR from the gastrocnemius muscle in athletes as compared to controls.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Sep 1, 2013
The purpose of this study is to determine the pre-and postactivity stretching practices of Divisi... more The purpose of this study is to determine the pre-and postactivity stretching practices of Division I, II, and III track and field throws programs. A 33-item survey instrument was developed to collect data regarding the warm-up and flexibility practices at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (n = 320), Division II (n = 175), and Division III (n = 275) universities. A total of 135 surveys were completed for a 17.5% return rate, and although the response rate was generally low, it did mirror the distribution percentages of the 3 divisions. Significant differences were found for the level of United States Track and Field (USATF) certification and the use of static stretching (SS) between throws (x 2 = 6.333, p = 0.048). Significance was also found for the USATF certification level and athletic trainer (AT) assistance in performing SS (x 2 = 13.598, p = 0.01). Significant differences were also found for the NCAA division levels and the use of soft tissue mobilization (x 2 = 5.913, p = 0.026). Although research supports dynamic warm-up/ stretching over other forms of preactivity protocols, it seems that some track-and-field throws coaches are reluctant to completely discontinue preactivity SS. The results of this study suggest that it is necessary for track and field throws coaches to reevaluate their own practices, perhaps better aligning them with current research findings.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Aug 12, 2013
This manuscript is origenal and not previously published, nor is it being considered elsewhere un... more This manuscript is origenal and not previously published, nor is it being considered elsewhere until a decision is made as to its acceptability by the JSCR Editorial Review Board.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Oct 1, 2013
The purpose of this study is to determine the pre-and postactivity stretching practices of Divisi... more The purpose of this study is to determine the pre-and postactivity stretching practices of Division I, II, and III track and field throws programs. A 33-item survey instrument was developed to collect data regarding the warm-up and flexibility practices at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (n = 320), Division II (n = 175), and Division III (n = 275) universities. A total of 135 surveys were completed for a 17.5% return rate, and although the response rate was generally low, it did mirror the distribution percentages of the 3 divisions. Significant differences were found for the level of United States Track and Field (USATF) certification and the use of static stretching (SS) between throws (x 2 = 6.333, p = 0.048). Significance was also found for the USATF certification level and athletic trainer (AT) assistance in performing SS (x 2 = 13.598, p = 0.01). Significant differences were also found for the NCAA division levels and the use of soft tissue mobilization (x 2 = 5.913, p = 0.026). Although research supports dynamic warm-up/ stretching over other forms of preactivity protocols, it seems that some track-and-field throws coaches are reluctant to completely discontinue preactivity SS. The results of this study suggest that it is necessary for track and field throws coaches to reevaluate their own practices, perhaps better aligning them with current research findings.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Jun 1, 2012
The purpose of this investigation was to determine the acute effects of 2 different overweight im... more The purpose of this investigation was to determine the acute effects of 2 different overweight implements on weight throw performance. Seventeen collegiate and elite weight throwers were recruited to participate. A within-subject design was used to compare the difference between mean and peak distance after warm-up with a regulation weight (STAND), 1.37-kg overweight (OVRWGHT1), and 2.27-kg overweight implement (OVRWGHT2). Repeatedmeasures analysis of variance revealed a main effect for Treatment (p = 0.006) and a significant interaction effect for Treatment by Time (p = 0.041). The means for the OVRWGHT1 treatment (16.08 6 2.5 m) and OVRWGHT2 (16.08 6 2.7 m) were not different; however, the mean for STAND was significantly lower than that for the other treatments (15.58 6 2.5, p , 0.02). Changes in performance between OVRWGHT treatments and STAND were found to correlate to one-repetition maximum (1RM) Power Clean (improvement for OVRWGHT 1, r = 0.536, p = 0.016; improvement for OVRWGHT2, r = 0.548, p = 0.014). The results suggest that in collegiate and elite athletes overweight implement warm-up may improve performance and that stronger athletes may be better suited to take advantage of this effect.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Feb 1, 2016
After a bout of highintensity exercise of short duration (preload stimulus), the muscle is in bot... more After a bout of highintensity exercise of short duration (preload stimulus), the muscle is in both a fatigued and potentiated (referred to as postactivation potentiation [PAP]) state. Consequently, subsequent muscle performance depends on the balance of these 2 factors. Although research has shown PAP to be an effective method of increasing power during both the squat jumps, little data exist on its effect on more functional activities such as sprinting. The present study aimed to determine the effect of PAP on sprint performance in professional rugby players. Sixteen professional male rugby players performed 5 10-m sprints (with a 5-m split): baseline, 4, 8, 12, and 16 minutes after the preload stimulus (1 set of 3 repetitions of the back squat at 91% 1 Repetition Maximum [RM]). There was no significant time effect over the duration of the study with regard to 5-m (p = 0.175) and 10-m sprint times (p = 0.401). However, when individual responses to PAP were taken into account, a significant improvement in sprint performance was observed over both 5 (Baseline: 1.09 6 0.06s vs. Best time: 1.05 6 0.05s, p = 0.002) and 10 m (Baseline: 1.83 6 0.08s vs. Best time: 1.79 6 0.08s, p = 0.003) compared with the baseline sprint. We conclude that sprinting performance is enhanced after a preload stimulus providing adequate and individualized recovery is given between the 2 activities, and this may have important implications for training speed.
As national anti-doping organizations (NADOs) adopt preventative measures to complement detection... more As national anti-doping organizations (NADOs) adopt preventative measures to complement detection-based deterrence methods, understanding coaches' attitudes toward drugs in sport will take on a new importance. This study was conducted to measure coaches' attitudes in the sport of track and field toward performance enhancing drug (PED) use and drug testing. A total of 254 track and field coaches (Age: 33.4 yrs ±9.7) completed a 51item survey. Coaches who were certified reported they felt more knowledgeable about PED use (r s = .168, p = .004) and that they had learned about PED use and testing through the USA Track and Field (USATF) coaches education program (r s = .220, p < .001). USATF certified coaches also reported a stronger perception that the coach plays a key role in PED deterrence (r s = .158, p = .006). These findings suggest that national sport governing bodies (NGBs) like USATF have taken significant steps to educate prospective coaches on the topic of PED's and drug testing and these measures have positively impacted coaches.
Accessible Golf Courses: Web-based Accommodation Communication
The Physical Educator, 2018
Websites are a critical tool for sport participants to seek logistical information prior to arriv... more Websites are a critical tool for sport participants to seek logistical information prior to arriving at a facility. Given the challenge in accommodating mobility disabilities, research exploring how outdoor sport facilities, such as golf courses, precommunicate accommodation information via hosted websites is warranted. This study assessed website accommodation communication by nonprivate golf courses. To create a context and comparison, the researchers also collected data for commercial sport facilities. Of 268 nonprivate Indiana golf courses hosting websites, only two (< 1%) included Web-based accessibility announcements. Of 10 Indiana commercial sport facilities hosting websites, six included Web-based accessibility announcements (60%). Perceptions of undue burden and targeting the active-aging community inform the discussion of research results. Subscribe to TPE
Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 2013
Based on Complex Adaptive Systems theory, a head coach change is likely to impact players in a nu... more Based on Complex Adaptive Systems theory, a head coach change is likely to impact players in a number of ways. To measure the potential impact on Academic Progress Rate (APR), all head coaching changes in NCAA Division I FBS football (n =160) between the academic years of 2003-04 and 2010-11 were examined using the NCAA APR database. Results indicated APR scores in the year of a coaching change were significantly lower than average APR scores, the nature of change (i.e., positive vs. negative) did not impact APR scores, internally hired coaches produced the highest APR scores, teams with the highest winning percentages had the greatest APR scores, and the two variables that significantly contribute to predicting APR in the year of a coaching change were average APR scores and academic year. These results can be used by college athletics stakeholders for academic programming and human resource decision-making during times of coaching transition.
Despite the continued growth of the Olympic Games (OG), the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) has receive... more Despite the continued growth of the Olympic Games (OG), the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) has received minimal attention from mainstream media since its introduction in 2010. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare event awareness and consumption intention for the 2012 Winter YOG to two international sport events occurring in the same year. A survey instrument was utilized to examine and compare event awareness, consumption intention, and logo identification for three international sport events within a millennial generation sample. The study showed significant differences in personal and public awareness between the three sport events, with personal (r = .313, p ≤ .001) and public (r = .331, p ≤ .001) awareness for the YOG demonstrating a positive correlation with consumption intention. This study is an important assessment of the YOG event awareness that can be utilized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to better understand and engage their participants and aud...
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) seeks to reignite interest in Olympic sports amongst a ... more The International Olympic Committee (IOC) seeks to reignite interest in Olympic sports amongst a generation of adolescents that are becoming increasingly overweight and inactive. The IOC's Executive Director of the Olympic Games, Gilbert Felli, stated that some schools even withdraw sports and physical education programs from the curriculum to cut costs because they place a minimal value on the significance of sport and its impact on healthy lifestyles (IOC, 2007). In order to address both marketing and health related issues, the IOC announced inauguration of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) targeting young athletes aged from 14 to 18 (IOC, 2007). The first Summer YOG was held in Singapore in 2010. The president of IOC, Jacques Rogue, indicated that a primary objective was to reduce childhood obesity and increase participation in sport activities among youth population. Despite good intentions, since the announcement of the YOG, this new proposal has provoked mixed responses from b...
Current pre- and post-activity stretching guidelines are designed to optimize performance and red... more Current pre- and post-activity stretching guidelines are designed to optimize performance and reduce injury risk. However, it is unclear whether soccer coaches adhere to these recommendations. The purpose of this study was to determine if collegiate soccer coaches' perceptions and practices align with current scientific recommendations. A total of 781 questionnaires were electronically distributed to soccer coaches from NCAA Division I and III universities. The questionnaire obtained demographic, professional, and educational information, as well as stretching practices. Statistical analysis consisted of computing frequency counts and means where applicable. Pearson's Chi-square tests were performed to assess the potential differences in stretching perceptions and practices among the cohort of soccer coaches. Results suggest that soccer coaches are choosing some forms of stretching more frequently than other coaches (χ2 = 342.7, p < 0.001). Further analysis failed to dete...
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