Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between weightlifting performance (snatch, clean and jerk, and total) and variables obtained from the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP). Methods: Twelve weightlifters, ranging from novice to advanced, performed the IMTP 10 days after a competition. Correlations were used to evaluate relationships between variables of the IMTP and absolute and scaled competition results. Results: Unscaled competition results correlated strongly with IRFD (0-200ms: r=0.567-0.645, 0-250ms: r=0.722-0.781) while results correlated weakly with Peak IRFD (5ms window, r=0.360-0.426). Absolute peak force values correlated very strongly with absolute values for the competition performance (r=0.830-0.838). Force at 100ms, 150ms, 200ms and 250ms also correlated strongly with competition results (r=0.643-0.647, r=0.605-0.636, r=0.714-0.732, r=0.801-0.804). Similar findings were noted for allometrically scaled values. Conclusion: Measures of average IRFD probably represent a more relevant variable to dynamic performance than does Peak IRFD (5ms). Maximum isometric strength also is likely to have a strong role in weightlifting performance.

Mental preparation is an important component in athletic performance. Mental preparation often involves imagery of the actual execution of the physical act. Imagery may be either "external" or "internal." External imagery occurs when people view themselves performing an act from the perspective of an external observer. Internal imagery requires that the person feel those sensations that are involved while participating in a physical act. The assumption that internal imagery will be more likely to improve athletic performance was tested using intermediate league bowlers for a period of ten weeks.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of video feedback to improve three cheerleading tumbling skills in a multiple baseline across behaviors design. The study involved three high school cheerleaders. Target behaviors varied by participant, being some variation of a front walkover roundoff back handspring, a standing back tuck, and a toe touch two back handsprings. The primary researcher implemented the video feedback procedure. All cheerleading skills for all participants increased substantially during intervention. This study extended sports performance literature by evaluating video feedback in a sport that has never been the focus of research in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Study Design: Cross Sectional Objectives: To develop a functional measurement tool to assess the physical abilities in male gymnasts and to evaluate the test-retest reliability and face validity of that measurement tool. Background: Despite the availability of physical fitness field-tests for many competitive sports, a reliable and valid test to measure the physical abilities (strength, endurance, balance, coordination, agility, and flexibility) of male gymnasts has not been explored or developed. The Men's Gymnastics Functional Measurement Tool (MGFMT) is a set of functional measurements used to objectively measure physical abilities required of male gymnasts. The MGFMT is a field-test designed to improve coaches' abilities to monitor their gymnasts' physical fitness levels and to help identify physical weaknesses that can be improved to create a more all-around physically fit gymnast. Methods: Eighty-three, 7 to 18 year-old competitive male club gymnasts (Level 4-10) were assessed. From these 83 total subjects, a convenience sample of 30 subjects was chosen to participate to establish the test-retest reliability of individual items and performance of the entire tool. These 30 subjects were retested with the MGFMT one week after initial testing. Test conditions and administration were consistent between the 2 administrations of the MGFMT including warm-up and item order. Statistics: Test-retest reliability was analyzed for each of the individual items using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient. Validity was analyzed using linear regression of the athletes' USA-Gymnastics competition level, predicting the component-test raw scores as well as the MGFMT total test score, resulting in a coefficient of determination (r2). Hypotheses: 1) The MGFMT individual items and the MGFMT total composite score demonstrated good test re-test reliability (Intraclass Correlation coefficient (ICC) >0.80). 2) There is a strong relationship between the MGFMT total composite score and the current competitive level of the gymnasts tested (r > 0.80). Results: The mean age of participating subjects was 11.07 years (range 7 - 18) with subjects reporting participation in competitive gymnastics for a mean of 4.36 years. Mean height and weight of the subjects were 37.5 kg and 142.8 cm respectively. Thirteen potential component tests were originally considered for inclusion in the MGFMT. Three component tests were eliminated based on physical ability tested, ease of test application, statistical analysis, and consultation with an informal panel of experts. Several of the relationships between the subjects' current USA Gymnastics competitive level and individual component test item raw scores were statistically significant, however, those relationships ranged from poor to good based on r2 scores (r2 = 0.004-0.64). The relationship between MGFMT composite test score (out of a possible score of 100) and the subjects' current USA Gymnastics competitive level was found to be good (r2 = 0.63). To rule out alternative explanations for the relationship between USA Gymnastics competitive level and MGFMT composite test scores, the relationships between MGFMT composite test scores and age, MGFMT composite test scores and bodyweight and MGFMT total composite scores and total hours training per week were also explored (r2 = 0.30, 0.48, and 0.56, respectively). Reliability testing of the MGFMT composite test score showed excellent test-retest reliability over a one-week period (ICC=0.97). Test-retest reliability of the individual component tests ranged from good to excellent (ICC = 0.75-0.97). Conclusion: The MGFMT, a 10-component field test of male gymnast physical abilities was found to be reliable and valid.

One of the most meaningful technical innovations in cycling over the past two decades was the development of mobile power meters. With the ability to measure the physical strain under “real world” outdoor conditions, the knowledge of the demand during cycling has improved enormously. Power output has been described as the most direct measure of intensity during cycling and consequently power meters becomes a popular tool to monitor the training and racing of cyclists. However, only limited research data are available on the utilisation of power meters for performance assessment in the field or the analysis of training data. Therefore, the aims of the thesis were to evaluate the ecological validity of a field test, to provide an extensive insight into the longitudinal training strategies of world-class cyclists and to investigate the effects of interval training in the field at difference cadences. The first study aimed to assess the reproducibility of power output during a 4-min (TT4) and a 20-min (TT20) time-trial and the relationship with performance markers obtained during a laboratory graded exercise test (GXT). Ventilatory and lactate thresholds during a GXT were measured in competitive male cyclists (n = 15; VO2max 67 ± 5 mL . min−1 . kg−1; Pmax 440 ± 38 W ). Two 4- min and 20-min time-trials were performed on flat roads. Strong intraclass-correlations for TT4 (r = 0.98; 95 % CL: 0.92-0.99) and TT20 (r = 0.98; 95 % CL: 0.95-0.99) were observed. TT4 showed a bias ± random error of −0.8 ± 23W or −0.2 ± 5.5%. During TT20 the bias ± random error was −1.8 ± 14 W or 0.6 ± 4.4 %. Both time-trials were strongly correlated with performance measures from the GXT (p < 0.001). Significant differences were observed between power output during TT4 and GXT measures (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found between TT20 and power output at the second lactate-turn-point (LTP 2) (p = 0.98) and respiratory compensation point (RCP) (p = 0.97). In conclusion, TT4 and TT20 mean power outputs are reliable predictors of endurance performance. TT20 was in agreement with power output at RCP and LTP 2. Study two aimed to quantify power output (PO) and heart rate (HR) distributions across a whole season in elite cyclists. Power output and heart rate were monitored for 11 months in ten male (age: 29.1 ± 6.7 y; VO2max: 66.5 ± 7.1 mL . min−1 . kg−1) and one female (age: 23.1y; VO2max: 71.5 mL . min−1 . kg−1) cyclist. In total, 1802 data sets were sampled and divided into workout categories according to training goals. The PO at the RCP was used to determine seven intensity zones (Z1-Z7). PO and HR distributions into Z1-Z7 were calculated for all data and workout categories. The ratio of mean PO to RCP (intensity factor, IF) was assessed for each training session and for each interval during the training sessions (IFINT). Variability of PO was calculated as coefficient of variation (CV ). There was no significant difference in the distribution of PO and HR for the total season (p = 0.15), although significant differences between workout categories were observed (p < 0.001). Compared with PO, HR distributions showed a shift from low to high intensities. IF was significantly different between categories (p < 0.001). The IFINT was related to performance (p < 0.01), although the overall IF for the session was not. Also, total training time was related to performance (p < 0.05). The variability in PO was inversely associated with performance (p < 0.01). In conclusion, HR accurately reflects exercise intensity over a total season or low intensity workouts but is limited when applied to high intensity workouts. Better performance by cyclists was characterised by lower variability in PO, greater training volume and the production of higher exercise intensities during intervals. The third study tested the effects of low-cadence (60 rev . min−1) uphill (Int60) or high-cadence (100 rev . min−1) flat (Int100) interval training on PO during 20 min uphill (TTup) and flat (TTflat) time-trials. Eighteen male cyclists (VO2max: 58.6 ± 5.4 mL . min−1 . kg−1) were randomly assigned to Int60, Int100 or a control group (Con). The interval training comprised of two training sessions per week over four weeks, which consisted of 6 bouts of 5 min at the PO at RCP. For the control group, no interval training was conducted. A two-factor ANOVA revealed significant increases on performance measures obtained from GXT (Pmax: 2.8 ± 3.0 %; p < 0.01; PO and VO2 at RCP: 3.6 ± 6.3 % and 4.7 ± 8.2 %, respectively; p < 0.05; and VO2 at ventilatory threshold: 4.9 ± 5.6 %; p < 0.01), with no significant group effects. Significant interactions between group and the uphill and flat time-trials, pre vs. post-training on time-trial PO were observed (p < 0.05). Int60 increased PO during both, TTup (4.4 ± 5.3 %) and TTflat (1.5 ± 4.5 %), whereas the changes were − 1.3 ± 3.6 %; 2.6 ± 6.0 % for Int100 and 4.0 ± 4.6 %; − 3.5 ± 5.4 % for Con, during TTup and TTflat, respectively. PO was significantly higher during TTup than TTflat (4.4 ± 6.0 %; 6.3 ± 5.6 %; pre and post-training, respectively; p < 0.001). These findings suggest that higher forces during the low-cadence intervals are potentially beneficial to improve performance. In contrast to the GXT, the time-trials are ecologically valid to detect specific performance adaptations.

Submitted by Sara Ribeiro (sara.ribeiro@ucb.br) on 2018-08-08T17:45:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 SeverinoLeãodeAlbuquerqueNetoTese2018.pdf: 2484170 bytes, checksum: b4db26e2e2354477363089d9c62b4b72 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Sara Ribeiro (sara.ribeiro@ucb.br) on 2018-08-08T17:46:25Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 SeverinoLeãodeAlbuquerqueNetoTese2018.pdf: 2484170 bytes, checksum: b4db26e2e2354477363089d9c62b4b72 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-08T17:46:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 SeverinoLeãodeAlbuquerqueNetoTese2018.pdf: 2484170 bytes, checksum: b4db26e2e2354477363089d9c62b4b72 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-05-03 / The search for better sports performance has encouraged studies on the interaction between environmental and genetic factors. In this perspective, while environmental factors stimulate morphofunctional adaptations, genetic polymorphisms modulate the genes responsible for these adaptations. Therefore, the identification of the candidate genes and their respective polymorphisms with potential to influence the phenotypes related to this performance have been the target of the researchers of the area. Among the promising polymorphisms are the I/D of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene and the α-actinin-3 (ACTN3) gene R577X. In the field of sports genetics, swimming has been studied, but research on the younger athletes is rare. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between ACE and ACTN3 polymorphisms in sports performance indicators in 120 brazilian swimmers (75 Boys and 45 Girls), aged 15 to 17 years (16.76 ± 0.6 years ), affiliated to the Brazilian Confederation of Aquatic Sports. 102 non-athletes of the same age group (16.51 ± 0.95 years) residing in the Federal District were part of the control group (56 Boys and 46 Girls). These were subdivided by official swimming tests (short: ≤200m vs long: ≥400m), related to the phenotypes of sports performance (strength vs. power) and by the competitive level (elite vs. sub-elite). The elite status (international experiences) and the technical index (TI) were adopted as indicators of performance. It was also evaluated the total genothype score (TGS) associated to the strength / power phenotypes. The technique of scraping buccal mucosa epithelial cells with the aid of a specific swab was used to collect the samples. In the athletes was collected during the XXIV Brazilian Junior Swimming Championship and among the students, in the intervals of the Physical Education classes. The genotyping of the polymorphisms was performed through the polymerase chain reaction technique obeying standardized and scientifically validated protocols. All the volunteers signed the agreement with prior consent of those responsible. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were used when the variables were not normally distributed. Pearson's correlation and t-test for independent samples were used for the parametric data. The groups (athletes and non-athletes) demonstrated Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for the genotypic and allelic distribution of polymorphisms. Sub-elite athletes (≤200m and ≥ 400m) presented allelic and genotype frequencies in both polymorphisms very close to those observed for the control group. The elite group of athletes was formed by specialists in short competitions (≤200m). Significant primacy of the DD genotype of ACE was observed for elite athletes. The D allele and DD genotype were also predominant among athletes of the same phenotypic (strength/power) group identified in the upper quartile (Q3) of TI, with significant differences especially in favor of elite athletes. Analysis of the ACTN3 polymorphism revealed that the R allele was predominant in all groups, except for the elite group, which had a frequency of the heterozygote RX genotype significantly higher. The best TI’s were verified among the athletes (≤200m) genotyped for RX and RR, with supremacy for the homozygote among elite athletes. In the joint evaluation of the two polymorphisms, the elite group presented significant genotypic supremacy of DD + RX addition compared to the other groups that presented higher occurrence of DD + RR homozygotes. The TGS analysis showed that athletes with better genotype profiles (score ≥75) also had the best TI’s. The results of the study suggest that the elite status and the best TI’s verified among juvenile athletes were influenced positively by the genotype associations typically expected. / A busca pelo melhor desempenho esportivo tem incentivado estudos sobre a interação entre os fatores ambientais e genéticos. Nesta perspectiva, enquanto os fatores ambientais estimulam as adaptações morfofuncionais os polimorfismos genéticos modulam os genes responsáveis por estas adaptações. Por isso, a identificação dos genes candidatos e seus respectivos polimorfismos com potencial de influenciar os fenótipos relacionados a este desempenho têm sido alvo dos pesquisadores da área. Dentre os polimorfismos promissores destacam-se o I/D do gene da enzima conversora da angiotensina (ECA) e o R577X do gene da α-actinina-3 (ACTN3). Na área da genética do esporte a natação tem sido estudada, mas são raras as pesquisas dedicadas aos atletas mais jovens, notadamente na população brasileira. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar a associação entre os polimorfismos da ECA e da ACTN3 aos indicadores de desempenho esportivo em 120 atletas da natação brasileira (75 Rapazes e 45 Moças), na faixa etária dos 15 aos 17 anos (16,76 ± 0,6 anos), filiados à Confederação Brasileira de Desportos Aquáticos (6,46 ± 2,13 anos). 102 jovens escolares (56 Rapazes e 46 Moças) não-atletas da mesma faixa etária (16,51 ± 0,95 anos) residentes no Distrito Federal fizeram parte do grupo controle. Estes foram subdivididos pelas provas oficiais da natação (curtas: ≤200m vs longas: ≥400m), relacionadas tipicamente aos fenótipos opostos do desempenho atlético (respectivamente: força/potência vs resistência) e pelo nível competitivo (elite vs sub-elite). O status de elite (experiências internacionais) e o índice técnico (IT) foram adotados como indicadores de desempenho. Foi avaliado também o score total dos genótipos (TGS) associados aos fenótipos da força/potência. O material genético dos atletas foi coletado durante o XXIV Campeonato Brasileiro Juvenil de Natação e entre os escolares, nos intervalos das aulas de Educação Física. A técnica de raspagem das células epiteliais da mucosa bucal com o auxílio de swab específico foi utilizada para a coleta das amostras. A genotipagem dos polimorfismos foi realizada através da técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase obedecendo protocolos padronizados e cientificamente validados. Todos os voluntários assinaram o termo de assentimento com prévia anuência dos responsáveis. Os testes do Qui-Quadrado e Mann-Whitney foram utilizados quando as variáveis não apresentavam distribuição normal. A correlação de Pearson e o teste t para amostras independentes foram utilizados para os dados paramétricos. Os grupos (atletas e não-atletas) demonstraram equilíbrio Hardy-Weinberg para a distribuição genotípica e alélica dos polimorfismos. Os atletas sub-elite (≤200m e ≥400m) apresentaram frequências alélicas e genotípicas em ambos os polimorfismos muito próximas às verificadas para o grupo controle. O grupo de atletas de elite foi formado por especialistas em provas curtas (≤200m). Observou-se supremacia significativa do genótipo DD da ECA para os atletas de elite. O alelo D e o genótipo DD foram predominantes também entre os atletas do mesmo grupo fenotípico (força/potência) identificados no quartil superior (Q3) do IT, com diferenças significativas especialmente em prol dos atletas de elite. A análise do polimorfismo da ACTN3 revelou que o alelo R foi predominante em todos os grupos, exceto para o grupo de elite, os quais apresentaram frequência do genótipo heterozigoto RX significativamente superior. Os melhores IT foram verificados entre os atletas (≤200m) genotipados para RX e RR, com supremacia para o homozigoto entre os atletas de elite. Na avaliação conjunta dos dois polimorfismos o grupo de elite apresentou significativa supremacia genotípica da adição DD+RX frente aos demais grupos que apresentaram maior ocorrência dos homozigotos DD+RR. A análise do TGS demonstrou que os atletas com melhores perfis genofenotípicos (score ≥75) apresentaram também os melhores IT. Os resultados do estudo sugerem que o status de elite e os melhores IT verificados entre atletas juvenis sofreram influência positiva das associações genofenotípicas tipicamente esperada.

The circadian cycle, although seasonally adjusted, consists of two phases: a nocturnal period of darkness and a diurnal period of light. Many parameters of human physiology display either a nocturnal or diurnal peak as seen in athletic performance, immune, endocrine, physiology and cognitive function, respectively. The studies included in this thesis focused on the diurnal (morning or AM versus evening or PM) effect of high-intensity self-paced exercise on physiological and immunological measures and the influence of individual preference for activity or chronotype on these responses. Self-paced time-trials were completed in an environmental chamber (6°C) in the AM and PM and displayed a similar effect on physiological and biological parameters. Performance times were non-statistically quicker (P > 0.05) at PM. Physiological parameters heart rate, rate of perceived exertion, lung function and self-paced treadmill speed were not found to be statistically different at AM or PM trial (p > 0.05). Core body temperature (CBT), was significantly higher (p0.05). CD8+ T-lymphocyte cell-surface markers for naïve/senescence and differentiation (CD27CD45RA and CD27CD28) reported no diurnal difference between AM and PM exercise in experienced and experienced/recreational distance runners respectively (P > 0.05). However, a higher percentage of highly differentiated phenotypes were found in the recreationally active population. Neutrophils displayed a pronounced elevation in response to PM exercise with the mechanism driving this response unclear at this time. Cortisol concentration displayed less inflammatory responses in the morning compared to the evening with higher values pre, post and one-hour post AM trials. Chronotype showed no effect on physiology or biology at rest or in response to exercise. Chapter 4 presents data from a study that investigated diurnal physiology and immune response to high-intensity exercise in highly-trained men. Recreational and experienced endurance male runners at differing diurnal time-points were investigated in Chapter 5, while individual chronotype differences and circadian phase responses were explored in Chapter 6.In summary, it is concluded from this work that there was a lack of evidence showing a diurnal effect on running performance and subsequent immune response. Elevated circulating immune counts prior to exercise, irrespective of diurnal phase, appear to govern exercise-induced responses. The effect of high intensity exercise is subject to three distinct variables: the fitness status and experience of the individual completing the exercise, the time of day at which the exercise is undertaken, and the phase response of exercise at that point of the circadian cycle. No diurnal phase mediated a divergent effect on variables examined was observed at 09.00hrs and 17.00hrs. These time-points should be considered not sufficiently dissimilar to elucidate diurnal variation in trained and healthy males.

The purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate the stability of strength asymmetry over a long-term period (1 year) and investigate the relationship of strength asymmetry to field test performance asymmetry in NCAA division-1 athletes. Isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) peak force asymmetry, ground contact time and finish time asymmetries on 10m sprint and 505 agility test performances were also observed. The impact of strength was also investigated in these studies to determine its effect on the magnitude of asymmetry. In the second study, peak force asymmetry over a one-year period was observed to be a rather volatile quality, with ranges between 16% or 8%, depending on the formula used. Based on this finding, it is possible that there may be a “normal” range of asymmetry that an individual athlete exhibits that could be linked to training adaptations along with other factors. Based on simple observation, an individual tendency toward symmetry existed in certain athletes. This relationship may be useful to explore in future study.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of mindfulness and task-relevant attentional focus on running performance. WKU psychology undergraduate students were assigned to one of two conditions: task-relevant attentional focus experimental training and no training control. Participants in the experimental condition received training designed to optimize the use of attentional focus strategies in a running context. Trait level mindfulness was examined as a covariate. Participants were compared on two mile run times and the use of attentional focus strategies. Differences were expected to reveal the effectiveness of the training by showing faster running times in the experimental group, and higher use of task-relevant attentional focus strategies. Only higher use of task-relevant attentional focus strategies, specifically focus on bodily sensation was supported by the data. Explanations of the results as well as exploratory analyses are provided in addition to suggestions for future research.

This study examines the effect of stratification on graduation at Western Kentucky University, a master’s level regional Division I Football Bowl Subdivision university in the South. The study begins by examining the historical basis of stratification in sport and higher education, and hypothesizes that becoming an intercollegiate athlete can eliminate the effect of being African American on graduation, which is generally negative and can be seen in lower graduation rates for African Americans compared to other populations. Using a data set that included 18,966 students, logistic regression was used to assess: 1) the effect of race on sport profile and 2) the effect of race and athletic status on graduation, controlling for sex, high school GPA, pre-collegiate standardized test scores, and department of academic major. Results indicate that African American students have 771 percent greater odds of participating in high profile sports compared to low profile sports, which supports the literature that sport is stratified in such a way that African Americans are more likely to bear a disproportionate load in revenue-producing sports. Even so, when interacting sport profile, athlete, and race, the penalty on graduation for being African American is eliminated, and African American athletes have the same odds of graduating as white non-athletes.