The purposes of this dissertation were to examine the phase characteristics of the countermovement jump force-time curve between athletes based on jumping ability, examine the influence of maximal muscular strength on the countermovement jump force-time curve phase characteristics of athletes, and to examine the behavior of the countermovement jump force-time curve phase characteristics over the course of a training process in athletes of varying strength levels. The following are the major findings of these dissertations. The analysis of athletes by jumping ability suggested that proficient jumpers are associated with greater relative phase magnitude and phase impulse throughout the phases contained in the positive impulse of the countermovement jump force-time curve. Additionally, phase duration was not found to differ between athletes based on jumping ability or between male and female athletes. The analysis of athletes based on maximal muscular strength suggested that only unweighted phase duration differs between strong and less-strong athletes. Interestingly, in both investigations based on jumping ability and maximal strength indicated the relative shape of the stretching phase representing the rise in positive force was related to an athlete’s jumping ability (jump height). The results of the longitudinal analysis of countermovement jump force-time phase characteristics identified that these variables can be frequently assessed throughout a training process to provide information of regarding an athlete performance state. Furthermore, based on the contrasting behaviors of many of the countermovement jump force-time curve phase characteristics over time, an athlete’s level of muscular strength may influence how these characteristics are expressed in the context of a training process.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of vertically-oriented resistance training on golf driving performance. Ten Division-I collegiate golfers completed 2 resistance training sessions per week for 10 weeks during the fall tournament season. Pre- and posttraining assessments of strength-power and golf performance were compared. To assess strength-power, jump height, peak force, and peak power (PP) were measured from static and countermovement (CMJ) vertical jumps; peak force and rate of force development from 0-250 ms were measured from an isometric mid-thigh pull. Golf performance was assessed in terms of ball launch speed (BS), spin rate, carry yardage (CY), and total yardage (TY), averaged from 5 shots using a driver. Following training, all measures of strength-power improved, with CMJ PP improving significantly (p<0.00625). The golf performance assessment indicated significant increases (p<0.0125) in BS, CY, and TY. These results suggest that vertically-oriented resistance training can improve golf driving performance.

Eight male collegiate weightlifters (age: 21.2 ± 0.9 years; height: 177.6 ± 2.3 cm; and body mass: 85.1 ± 3.3 kg) participated in this study to compare isometric to dynamic force-time dependent variables. Subjects performed the isometric and dynamic mid-thigh clean pulls at 30–120% of their one repetition maximum (1RM) power clean (118.4 ± 5.5 kg) on a 61 X 121.9–cm AMTI forceplate. Variables such as peak force (PF) and peak rate of force development (PRFD) were calculated and were compared between isometric and dynamic conditions. The relationships between force-time dependent variables and vertical jump performances also were examined. The data indicate that the isometric PF had no significant correlations with the dynamic PF against light loads. On the one hand, there was a general trend toward stronger relationships between the isometric and dynamic PF as the external load increased for dynamic muscle actions. On the other hand, the isometric and dynamic PRFD had no significant correlations regardless of the external load used for dynamic testing. In addition, the isometric PF and dynamic PRFD were shown to be strongly correlated with vertical jump performances, whereas the isometric PRFD and dynamic PF had no significant correlations with vertical jump performances. In conclusion, it appears that the isometric and dynamic measures of force-time curve characteristics represent relatively specific qualities, especially when dynamic testing involves small external loads. Additionally, the results suggest that athletes who possess greater isometric maximum strength and dynamic explosive strength tend to be able to jump higher. Eight male collegiate weightlifters (age: 21.2 ± 0.9 years; height: 177.6 ± 2.3 cm; and body mass: 85.1 ± 3.3 kg) participated in this study to compare isometric to dynamic force-time dependent variables. Subjects performed the isometric and dynamic mid-thigh clean pulls at 30–120% of their one repetition maximum (1RM) power clean (118.4 ± 5.5 kg) on a 61 X 121.9–cm AMTI forceplate. Variables such as peak force (PF) and peak rate of force development (PRFD) were calculated and were compared between isometric and dynamic conditions. The relationships between force-time dependent variables and vertical jump performances also were examined. The data indicate that the isometric PF had no significant correlations with the dynamic PF against light loads. On the one hand, there was a general trend toward stronger relationships between the isometric and dynamic PF as the external load increased for dynamic muscle actions. On the other hand, the isometric and dynamic PRFD had no significant correlations regardless of the external load used for dynamic testing. In addition, the isometric PF and dynamic PRFD were shown to be strongly correlated with vertical jump performances, whereas the isometric PRFD and dynamic PF had no significant correlations with vertical jump performances. In conclusion, it appears that the isometric and dynamic measures of force-time curve characteristics represent relatively specific qualities, especially when dynamic testing involves small external loads. Additionally, the results suggest that athletes who possess greater isometric maximum strength and dynamic explosive strength tend to be able to jump higher.

Examining a countermovement jump (CMJ) force-time curve related to net impulse might be useful in monitoring athletes' performance. This study aimed to investigate the reliability of alternative net impulse calculation and net impulse characteristics (height, width, rate of force development, shape factor, and proportion) and validate against the traditional calculation in the CMJ. Twelve participants performed the CMJ in two sessions (48 hours apart) for test–retest reliability. Twenty participants were involved for the validity assessment. Results indicated intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) of ≥ 0.89 and coefficient of variation (CV) of ≤ 5.1% for all of the variables except for rate of force development (ICC = 0.78 and CV = 22.3%). The relationship between the criterion and alternative calculations was r = 1.00. While the difference between them was statistically significant (245.96 ± 63.83 vs. 247.14 ± 64.08 N s, p < 0.0001), the effect size was trivial and deemed practically minimal (d = 0.02). In conclusion, variability of rate of force development will pose a greater challenge in detecting performance changes. Also, the alternative calculation can be used practically in place of the traditional calculation to identify net impulse characteristics and monitor and study athletes' performance in greater depth.

There is a need for reliable analysis techniques for kinetic data for coaches and sport scientists who employ athlete monitoring practices. The purpose of the study was: (1) to determine intra- and inter-rater reliability within a manual-based kinetic analysis program; and (2) to determine test-retest reliability of an algorithm-based kinetic analysis program. Five independent raters used a manual analysis program to analyse 100 isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) trials obtained from previously collected data. Each trial was analysed three times. The same IMTP trials were analysed using an algorithm-based analysis software. Variables measured were peak force, rate of force development from 0 to 50 ms (RFD50) and RFD from 0 to 200 ms (RFD200). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV) were used to assess intra- and inter-rater reliability. Nearly perfect reliability was observed for the manual-based (ICC > 0.92). However, poor intra- and inter-rater CV was observed for RFD (CV > 16.25% and CV > 32.27%, respectively). The algorithm-based method resulted in perfect reliability in all measurements (ICC = 1.0, CV = 0%). While manual methods of kinetic analysis may provide sufficient reliability, the perfect reliability observed within the algorithm-based method in the current study suggest it is a superior method for use in athlete monitoring programs.

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Examining a countermovement jump (CMJ) force-time curve related to net impulse might be useful in monitoring athletes' performance. This study aimed to investigate the reliability of alternative net impulse calculation and net impulse characteristics (height, width, rate of force development, shape factor, and proportion) and validate against the traditional calculation in the CMJ. Twelve participants performed the CMJ in two sessions (48 hours apart) for test–retest reliability. Twenty participants were involved for the validity assessment. Results indicated intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) of ≥ 0.89 and coefficient of variation (CV) of ≤ 5.1% for all of the variables except for rate of force development (ICC = 0.78 and CV = 22.3%). The relationship between the criterion and alternative calculations was r = 1.00. While the difference between them was statistically significant (245.96 ± 63.83 vs. 247.14 ± 64.08 N s, p < 0.0001), the effect size was trivial and deemed practically minimal (d = 0.02). In conclusion, variability of rate of force development will pose a greater challenge in detecting performance changes. Also, the alternative calculation can be used practically in place of the traditional calculation to identify net impulse characteristics and monitor and study athletes' performance in greater depth.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-09-15Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:08:48Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 goncalves_r_me_rcla.pdf: 1648455 bytes, checksum: a169bc59e57fd832a6bbe9380247a8a5 (MD5) / O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar o efeito agudo do alongamento estático sobre diferentes parâmetros da curva força-tempo (Cf-t) isométrica e atividade eletromiográfica (EMG) de idosas em exercícios monoarticular e multiarticular. A amostra foi composta por 27 mulheres (65,4 ± 4,3 anos; 69,3 ± 9,0 Kg; 1,57 ± 1,0 m; 28,0 ± 4,0 Kg/m2). A contração voluntária máxima (CVM), taxa de desenvolvimento de força (TDF) (30, 50, 100, 150 e 200 ms relativos ao início da contração muscular) e TDF pico (TDFP) (inclinação mais íngreme da curva nos primeiros 200 ms) foram testadas em dois exercícios (Leg Press ou cadeira extensora) em 2 condições separadas: alongamento (A) (3 séries de 30 segundos para o quadríceps femoral) e controle (C). Em cada dia, apenas uma condição e um tipo de exercício foram testados e a ordem de emprego para cada condição e exercício foram determinadas aleatoriamente. A atividade eletromiográfica dos músculos vasto medial (VM), vasto lateral (VL) e bíceps femoral (BF) também foi avaliada. Quatro avaliações póscondições (imediatamente após; 10; 20 e 30 minutos) foram realizadas para acompanhar o comportamento da força e da atividade muscular. Com exceção da TDF para os 100 ms durante exercício multiarticular, a ANOVA 2x2, seguida do teste post-hoc de Tukey não demonstrou interações condição vs. tempo significativas (p > 0,05) para a CVM, TDFP e TDF nos diferentes períodos de tempo avaliados para exercício monoarticular e multiarticular. Também não foi observada interação condição vs. tempo significativa para a iEMG dos músculos VM, VL e BF durante CVM e TDF nos diferentes períodos de tempo. Não foram observadas interações exercício vs. tempo (p > 0,05) para TDFP e TDF nos diferentes períodos de tempo durante comparação entre exercício monoarticular e multiarticular. Em conclusão séries agudas de alongamento... / The aim of this study was to analyze the acute effects of static stretching on different parameters of the isometric force-time curve (Cf-t) and electromyography activity (EMG) of elderly women during single and multiple joint exercises. Twenty-seven women (65,4 ± 4,3 years old; 69,3 ± 9,0 Kg; 1,57 ± 1,0 m; 28,0 ± 4,0 Kg/m2) were studied. The maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), rate of force development (RFD) (50, 100, 150, and 200 ms relative to onset of muscular contraction), and peak RFD (PRFD) (the steepest slope of the curve during the first 200 ms) were tested during two exercises (Leg Press and knee extension) under 2 separate conditions: stretching (S) (3 sets of 30 seconds) and control (C). Only one condition and exercise was tested on each day and the order of application of each condition and exercise was determined randomly. Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), and biceps femoris (BF) muscles also was assessed. Four post-condition assessments (post-treatment, 10, 20, and 30 minutes) were performed to monitor muscle strength and muscular activity. With the exception of TDF for 100 ms during multiple joint exercise, the ANOVA 2x2, followed by Tukey post-hoc test showed no significant interactions between condition vs. time (p> 0.05) for MVC, PRFD and RFD in different periods of time for single and multiple joint exercises. There was also no significant interaction between condition vs. time to the iEMG for VM, VL and BF during MVC and RFD in different periods of time. There were no significant interactions between exercise vs. time (p> 0.05) for PRFD and RFD and in different time periods for comparison between single and multiple joint exercises. In conclusion, acute bouts of static stretching of the quadríceps do not affect the ability of rapid and maximum muscle force production and the EMG activity for VM, VL and BF of older women at single and multiple joint exercises

Orientador: Sebastião Gobbi / Banca: Paulo de Tarso Veras Farinatti / Banca: Claudio Alexandre Gobatto / Resumo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar o efeito agudo do alongamento estático sobre diferentes parâmetros da curva força-tempo (Cf-t) isométrica e atividade eletromiográfica (EMG) de idosas em exercícios monoarticular e multiarticular. A amostra foi composta por 27 mulheres (65,4 ± 4,3 anos; 69,3 ± 9,0 Kg; 1,57 ± 1,0 m; 28,0 ± 4,0 Kg/m2). A contração voluntária máxima (CVM), taxa de desenvolvimento de força (TDF) (30, 50, 100, 150 e 200 ms relativos ao início da contração muscular) e TDF pico (TDFP) (inclinação mais íngreme da curva nos primeiros 200 ms) foram testadas em dois exercícios (Leg Press ou cadeira extensora) em 2 condições separadas: alongamento (A) (3 séries de 30 segundos para o quadríceps femoral) e controle (C). Em cada dia, apenas uma condição e um tipo de exercício foram testados e a ordem de emprego para cada condição e exercício foram determinadas aleatoriamente. A atividade eletromiográfica dos músculos vasto medial (VM), vasto lateral (VL) e bíceps femoral (BF) também foi avaliada. Quatro avaliações póscondições (imediatamente após; 10; 20 e 30 minutos) foram realizadas para acompanhar o comportamento da força e da atividade muscular. Com exceção da TDF para os 100 ms durante exercício multiarticular, a ANOVA 2x2, seguida do teste post-hoc de Tukey não demonstrou interações condição vs. tempo significativas (p > 0,05) para a CVM, TDFP e TDF nos diferentes períodos de tempo avaliados para exercício monoarticular e multiarticular. Também não foi observada interação condição vs. tempo significativa para a iEMG dos músculos VM, VL e BF durante CVM e TDF nos diferentes períodos de tempo. Não foram observadas interações exercício vs. tempo (p > 0,05) para TDFP e TDF nos diferentes períodos de tempo durante comparação entre exercício monoarticular e multiarticular. Em conclusão séries agudas de alongamento... (Resumo completo, clicâr acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the acute effects of static stretching on different parameters of the isometric force-time curve (Cf-t) and electromyography activity (EMG) of elderly women during single and multiple joint exercises. Twenty-seven women (65,4 ± 4,3 years old; 69,3 ± 9,0 Kg; 1,57 ± 1,0 m; 28,0 ± 4,0 Kg/m2) were studied. The maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), rate of force development (RFD) (50, 100, 150, and 200 ms relative to onset of muscular contraction), and peak RFD (PRFD) (the steepest slope of the curve during the first 200 ms) were tested during two exercises (Leg Press and knee extension) under 2 separate conditions: stretching (S) (3 sets of 30 seconds) and control (C). Only one condition and exercise was tested on each day and the order of application of each condition and exercise was determined randomly. Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), and biceps femoris (BF) muscles also was assessed. Four post-condition assessments (post-treatment, 10, 20, and 30 minutes) were performed to monitor muscle strength and muscular activity. With the exception of TDF for 100 ms during multiple joint exercise, the ANOVA 2x2, followed by Tukey post-hoc test showed no significant interactions between condition vs. time (p> 0.05) for MVC, PRFD and RFD in different periods of time for single and multiple joint exercises. There was also no significant interaction between condition vs. time to the iEMG for VM, VL and BF during MVC and RFD in different periods of time. There were no significant interactions between exercise vs. time (p> 0.05) for PRFD and RFD and in different time periods for comparison between single and multiple joint exercises. In conclusion, acute bouts of static stretching of the quadríceps do not affect the ability of rapid and maximum muscle force production and the EMG activity for VM, VL and BF of older women at single and multiple joint exercises / Mestre

Natural disasters usually occur without any warning. They can leave trail of destruction and cause much tragedy. We are at a time when we witness fast technological advances; hence, we need to apply the force of scientific advancements to decrease economic losses and the number of human deaths. Tsunami is one of the extreme environmental events that leaves nothing but a path of death and destruction, and as a result, it is essential to understand this phenomenon and identify the mitigation strategies. Several mitigation strategies have been proposed so far; however, more investigations are still required to achieve an acceptable solution. Researchers around the world are studying different aspects of this phenomenon. One of the proposed solutions that has received much attention is designing tsunami-resistant structures which can withstand the force of a tsunami bore. Various studies have been done so far to understand the base shear force of tsunami bore on structures. The focus of this thesis is to improve and better understand the characteristics of the tsunami base shear forces on structures. Hence, in this thesis, two numerical studies were proposed and performed with the main goal of estimating the total tsunami forces on structure under two different conditions. Those include structures with various cross sections, as well as positioning a mitigation wall at an appropriate location relative to the structure. The first study focused on developing a numerical model to study the relationship between tsunami forces and the geometry of the structure. The main goal of this study was to define a numerical model capable of simulating this case precisely. To ensure the accuracy of the model, a comparison was carried out between the results of the numerical model and experimental test performed at the NRC-CHC (National Research Council- Canadian Hydraulics Center) laboratory in Ottawa, Canada and Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Belgium, which revealed a very good agreement between the results of the experimental test and numerical model. Further, the validated model was applied to investigate the tsunami force on structures with various cross sections. The second study focus was on developing a numerical model for understanding the role of mitigation wall (a novel idea proposed as a mitigation strategy by the second author of technical paper 2) on reducing the exerted force of tsunami on structures. After developing various models and applying several turbulence models, a valuable result was obtained which demonstrated that a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) model seems to be an excellent approach for predicting the tsunami forces on the structure with a mitigation wall in the direction of the flow. The results of this study will be used to better estimate the tsunami forces exerted on coastal structures which will light the path to the main goal of designing tsunami resistant-structures.