PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of BCAA on perception of muscular soreness in collegiate distance runners. METHODS: 8 collegiate distance runners (men n=4, women n=4) took BCAA supplement (SUP) (0.08g/kg) or placebo (PLA) daily for 6 weeks, alternating conditions week to week. Each morning prior to their training session, athletes filled out a 10-point scale Soreness Chart in which they rated soreness levels for each major lower extremity muscle group on both anterior (ANT) and posterior (POST) body segments where 1= no pain at all and 10= excruciating pain. Responses were totaled for each condition (SUP or PLA) and body segment (ANT or POST). Data were analyzed using paired-samples T-tests to compare soreness levels between PLA and SUP weeks. The alpha criterion was set to p

PURPOSE: To examine differences in mean power output between high bar (HBS) and low bar back squats (LBS). METHODS: Six trained males (25.0 ± 3.1 years, 1.78 ± 0.04 m, 87.6 ± 7.5 kg) with previous squatting experience (experience: 7.5 ± 4.1 years, HBS 1RM: 157.0 ± 15.3 kg, squat/bodyweight: 1.8 ± 0.18) completed the study using a crossover design. Subjects completed a 4-week familiarization phase with both conditions. Mean power data was collected over 2 sessions using dual uniplanar force plates and 4 linear position transducers sampling at 1,000 Hz. Subjects were randomly assigned to the HBS or LBS for 1 set of 3 repetitions at 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90% of their most recent HBS training 1RM with 3 to 5 minutes’ rest between sets and 2-7 days between testing conditions. A 2x8 repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine interactions and main effects for condition and load with post-hoc tests conducted for statistical main effects. RESULTS: Analysis revealed significant main effects for load (p < 0.01) but not for condition. CONCLUSIONS: According to this pilot data, athletes seeking to increase power production ability should choose a squatting style in which they feel most proficient and comfortable. Furthermore, either the HBS or LBS can be used as the primary squatting movement, or as a secondary movement to provide variation. However, based on previous research it is likely that sport specific biomechanical parameters will influence the squatting style selection for the majority of athletes who participate in sports that involve jumping, sprinting, and change of direction.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationships between muscle architecture and countermovement jump height, peak power, and maximal strength in collegiate volleyball players. METHODS: Fifteen female volleyball players (20 ± 1.3y, 176.3 ± 6.6cm, 70.1 ± 8.4 kg) were recruited as part of an ongoing athlete monitoring program. Athletes were tested on measures of vastus lateralis (VL) and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) muscle thickness (MT), pennation angle (PA), and fascicle length (FL) using ultrasonography; countermovement jump height (CMJH, n = 14 and peak power allometrically scaled (CMJPPa, n = 14); and isometric peak force allometrically scaled (IPFa, n = 12). Pearson’s product moment zero-order correlations were used for analysis with critical alpha set to p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Analysis revealed a positive relationship between VL MT and IPFa (r = 0.64, p = 0.025) and an inverse relationship between LG MT and CMJH (r = -0.54, p = 0.048). There were positive relationships between VL PA and all performance measures and between LG PA and CMJPPa (r = 0.54 to 0.71, p. < 0.05), and inverse relationships between VL FL and CMJPPa and between LG FL and all performance measures (r = -0.59 to -0.67, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Better jumpers had larger PA and shorter FL in both VL and LG, and stronger athletes had greater MT in VL, showing that differences in muscle architecture can influence performance parameters. Considering these findings and the results from previous longitudinal studies demonstrating the effects of heavy strength training on muscle architecture, it is recommended that collegiate volleyball athletes incorporate heavy lower body strength training into their training plan in order to increase PA in VL and LG and MT in VL.

Abstract available in the 9th Annual Coaches and Sport Science College .

Abstract available in the 9th Annual Coaches and Sport Science College .

Abstract available in the 8th Annual Coaches and Sport Science College.

Book Summary:It is an essential skill for any strength and conditioning coach to be able to reliably assess the physical performance of their athletes and communicate the results and their implications to performers and coaches, alike. Performance Assessment in Strength and Conditioning is the first textbook to clearly and coherently suggest the most appropriate and reliable methods for assessing and monitoring athletes’ performance, as well as including detailed sections on testing considerations and the interpretation and application of results. The book explores the full range of considerations required to reliably assess performance, including questions of ethics and safety, reliability and validity, and standardised testing, before going on to recommend (through a comparison of field- and laboratory-based techniques) the optimal methods for testing all aspects of physical performance.

The status of long term athlete development and monitoring programs (ADMP) in the United States is unsatisfactory. In part, this is due to a lack of coaching staff who possess a basic scientific background and a dearth of properly trained sport scientists. Additionally, it is rare to find sports medicine, sport science and strength and conditioning departments who sufficiently coordinate their efforts to develop athletes via scientifically grounded principles, monitor athletes with objective measures of performance, manage fatigue, reduce injuries and ultimately improve sport performance. As a result, there are few ADMPs in the U.S. at any level of competition. The goal of this symposium is twofold. First, describe the components of an ADMP which has been successfully implemented at the collegiate level. Second, advance the cause of sport science and provide a framework from which other institutions can develop similar programs. This symposium will be presented in four sections; 1) Organization - provide some historical perspective and detail roles for each department, 2) Lab testing - provide information regarding the frequency and type of testing (body composition, force plate measurements, biochemical analysis, etc.), 3) Field testing - detail on field testing procedures, describe how to quantify on field and weight room workloads (session RPE, heart rate workloads and volume loads) and discuss how this should influence the future direction of injury prevention research, 4) Data return and research - this will describe the process utilized to return data to coaching staff and how results are used to publish research.

No description available.

Abstract available in the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise