Effects of a custom bite-aligning mouthguard on performance in college football players. J Strength Cond Res 30(5): 1409-1415, 2016 - Besides injury prevention, mouthguards can also be employed to improve physical performance. The effects of personalization of mouthguards have rarely been investigated. This 3-armed, randomized, controlled crossover trial investigated the difference of wearing (a) personalized or custom-made (CM, e.g., bite-aligned), (b) standard (BB, boil and bite), and (c) no (CON) mouthguards on general fitness parameters in experienced collegiate football players. A group of 10 upperclassmen (age, 19-22 years; mean ± SD: age 20.7 ± 0.8 years; body mass 83 ± 7.4 kg; height 179.1 ± 5.2 cm; body mass index 25.9 ± 2.2 kg·cm -2), National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II football players with at least 2 years of playing experience, were randomly assigned to the 3 mouthguard conditions: a randomized, within-subjects repeated-measures design was applied. All participants were randomly tested on strength and endurance performance Vo 2 max testing, with Bruce treadmill protocol including (a) time to fatigue, (b) blood lactate concentration in millimoles per liter at stage 2 and (c) at peak fatigue, (d) flexibility, (e) reaction time, (f) squat vertical jump, (g) countermovement vertical jump, and (h) 1 repetition maximum bench press. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed no significant differences between the 3 conditions for each outcome variable (0.23 < p < 0.94; 0.007 < < 0.15). These data indicate that CM mouthguards did not superiorly affect general fitness parameters compared with BB and CON. In turn, protective BB or CM mouthpieces did not appear to impair general fitness performance vs. CON. The recommendation of a custom bite-aligning mouthguards for performance enhancement in young Division II football players is questioned. Further studies with larger sample sizes, gender comparison, and (sport) discipline-specific performance testing are needed.

Suchomel, TJ, Bailey, CA, Sole, CJ, Grazer, JL, and Beckham, GK. Using reactive strength index-modified as an explosive performance measurement tool in Division I athletes. J Strength Cond Res 29(4): 899-904, 2015 - The purposes of this study included examining the reliability of reactive strength index-modified (RSImod), the relationships between RSImod and force-time variables, and the differences in RSImod between male and female collegiate athletes. One hundred six Division I collegiate athletes performed unloaded and loaded countermovement jumps (CMJs). Intraclass correlation coefficients and typical error expressed as a coefficient of variation were used to establish the relative and absolute reliability of RSImod, respectively. Pearson zero-order product-moment correlation coefficients were used to examine the relationships between RSImod and rate of force development, peak force (PF), and peak power (PP) during unloaded and loaded jumping conditions. Finally, independent samples t-tests were used to examine the sex differences in RSImod between male and female athletes. Intraclass correlation coefficient values for RSImod ranged from 0.96 to 0.98, and typical error values ranged from 7.5 to 9.3% during all jumping conditions. Statistically significant correlations existed between RSImod and all force-time variables examined for male and female athletes during both jumping conditions (p ≤ 0.05). Statistically significant differences in RSImod existed between male and female athletes during both unloaded and loaded CMJs (p < 0.001). Reactive strength index-modified seems to be a reliable performance measurement in male and female athletes. Reactive strength index-modified may be described and used as a measure of explosiveness. Stronger relationships between RSImod, PF, and PP existed in female athletes as compared with that in male athletes; however, further evidence investigating these relationships is needed before conclusive statements can be made. Male athletes produced greater RSImod values as compared with that produced by female athletes.

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in reactive strength index-modified (RSImod), jump height (JH), and time to takeoff (TTT) between 6 U.S. collegiate sport teams. One hundred six male and female Division I collegiate athletes performed unloaded (<1 kg) and loaded (20 kg) countermovement jumps as part of an ongoing athlete monitoring program. Reactive strength index-modified, JH, and TTT values for each team were compared using 1-way analysis of variance. Statistically significant differences in RSImod (p < 0.001), JH (p < 0.001), and TTT (p 0.003) existed between teams during the unloaded jumping condition. Similarly, statistically significant differences in RSImod (p < 0.001), JH (p < 0.001), and TTT (p 0.028) existed between teams during the loaded jumping condition. Men's soccer and baseball produced the greatest RSImod values during both the unloaded and loaded jumping conditions followed by women's volleyball, men's tennis, women's soccer, and women's tennis. The greatest JH during unloaded and loaded jumping conditions was produced by men's baseball followed by men's soccer, women's volleyball, men's tennis, women's soccer, and women's tennis. Men's soccer produced shorter TTT compared with men's baseball (12.7%) and women's soccer (13.3%) during the unloaded and loaded jumping conditions, respectively. Collegiate sport teams exhibit varying reactive strength characteristics during unloaded and loaded jumping conditions. Understanding the differences in RSImod between sports may help direct the creation of training and monitoring programs more effectively for various sports.

The purpose of this investigation was to quantify the magnitude of change in maximal strength and jumping abilities over approximately 1, 2, and 3 years of supervised sport and resistance training in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) division I women's volleyball athletes. This was an exploratory study on a cohort of women's volleyball athletes (n = 29) split into 3 groups based on the length of the time spent in a supervised resistance training program: Group 1 (n = 11): 0.7 ± 0.3 years, group 2 (n = 9): 1.6 ± 0.2 years, and group 3 (n = 9): 2.4 ± 0.6 years. Monitoring tests consisted of standing height (cm), body mass (kg), body fat (%), static jump height (SJH) and countermovement JH (CMJH) with 0-, 11-, and 20-kg loads (cm), and midthigh clean pull isometric peak force (IPF) and allometrically scaled IPF (IPFa) (Nkg 20.67). Increasing trends were observed for all variables from groups 1 to 2 to 3. Statistically greater improvements (p ≤ 0.05) with moderate to large effect sizes were found between groups 1 and 3 for SJH 0 (19.7%, d = 1.35), SJH 11 (23.8%, d = 1.23), SJH 20 (30.6%, d = 1.20), CMJH 11 (22.6%, d = 1.18), IPF (44.4%, d = 1.22), and IPFa (41.2%, d = 1.32). A combination of traditional resistance training exercises and weightlifting variations at various loads, in addition to volleyball practice, seem to be effective at increasing maximal strength by 44% and vertical JH by 20-30% in NCAA division I women's volleyball athletes after about 2.5 years of training. Furthermore, these characteristics can be improved in the absence of additional plyometric training outside normal volleyball-specific practice.

We examined a static jump test’s relationship with back squat strength in collegiate athletes. Forty-one (n=41) young (aged 20.8+2.4 years), healthy volunteers reported estimated back squat one-repetition maximums and completed a static jump protocol. The static jump protocol included five loading conditions, and jump height was estimated via flight time from portable contact mats. Loading conditions for males (n=19) included 0 kg (polyvinylchloride pipe), 20.42 kg, 43.10 kg, 61.25 kg, and 83.94 kg whereas females (n=22) used 0 kg, 12.70 kg, 20.42 kg, 29.49 kg, and 43.10 kg. Relationships between back squat one-repetition maximums, jump height, ratio (jump height/system mass) at each loading condition, mean jump height and ratio across loading conditions, change in jump height and ratio per condition (ΔJH, ΔRatio), and performance slope (slope of best fit line for system mass vs. jump height) were evaluated. Amongst all subjects, large (r>0.70), statistically significant correlations were found between back squat one-repetition maximums and jump height for the two lightest loading conditions, mean jump height, and performance slope. However, relationships varied by sex with mean jump height demonstrating the greatest consistency in both males and females. Mean jump height may be the most practical variable from this static jump protocol for monitoring training adaptations, particularly in relatively homogenous female collegiate athlete populations.

While there has been a great deal of research on air entrainment at hydraulic jumps within closed conduits, very little of the research has specifically addressed size and temperature scale effects. Influences from jump location and changing length characteristics on air entrainment have also received little attention from past research. To determine the significance of size-scale effects of air entrained by hydraulic jumps in closed conduits, air flow measurements were taken in four different-sized circular pipe models with similar Froude numbers. Each of the pipe models sloped downward and created identical flow conditions that differed only in size. Additionally, specific measurements were taken in one of the pipe models with various water temperatures to identify any effects from changing fluid properties. To determine the significance of the effects of changed length characteristics on air demand, air flow measurements were taken with hydraulic jumps at multiple locations within a circular pipe with two different air release configurations at the end of the pipe. Results showed that air demand was not affected by the size of the model. All together, the data from four different pipe models show that size-scale effects of air entrained into hydraulic jumps within closed conduits are negligible. However, it was determined that air entrainment was significantly affected by the water temperature. Water at higher temperatures entrained much less air than water at lower temperatures. Hydraulic jump location results showed that for both configurations the percentage of air entrainment significantly increased as the hydraulic jump occurred near the point of air release downstream. As the jump occurred nearer to the end of the pipe, its length characteristics were shortened and air demand increased. However, jump location was only a significant factor until the jump occurred some distance upstream where the length characteristics were not affected. Upstream of this location the air demand was dependent only on the Froude number immediately upstream of the jump.

Aim: The intention of this study was to examine whether different brands and models of skating boots differently affect the kinetic and kinematic properties of a landing impact from a jump. The differences were tested between new figure skating boots Graf Edmonton, new Edea Concerto and old used Graf Edmonton. Method: Subjects simulated a figure skating jump landing by landing from a counter movement jump off boxes of two different heights onto artificial ice in the Biomechanics and Motor Control (BMC) laboratory. During these jumps the subjects wore figure skating boots of different age and types. Landing impacts were examined by Qualisys motion capture system, Kistler force plate and Pedar-X in-shoe force and pressure measuring system. Each subject acted as his own control for comparison of kinetic and kinematic variables between the skates. Statistical comparison was carried out in SPSS. Results: The research results indicate that the kinetic and kinematic properties of a landing impact significantly (P≤0.05) differed depending on the tested skates. Significant differences were found between new Graf Edmonton and old used Graf Edmonton, between new Graf Edmonton and new Edea Concerto as well as between old used Graf Edmonton and new Edea Concerto. Conclusions: The first research hypothesis was accepted, indicating that reduced vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) acted in new Edea Concerto compared to new and old, used Graf Edmonton boots. The second research hypothesis was rejected since the VGRF acting during the landing impact in old, used Graf Edmonton was greater compared to new Edea Concerto and there was no significant difference compared to new Graf Edmonton boots. The differences between the figure skating boots found in this research are suggested to be caused by different construction designs and materials used in the skates. / <p>Kursen Projektarbete.</p>

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第17877号 / 工博第3786号 / 新制||工||1579(附属図書館) / 30697 / 京都大学大学院工学研究科都市社会工学専攻 / (主査)教授 角 哲也, 教授 牛島 省, 准教授 竹門 康弘, 准教授 Sameh Ahmed Kantoush / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DGAM

Drop impact on a surface has an effect on nearly every industry and this impact may have adverse effects if not controlled. Superhydrophobic (SH) surfaces have been created with the extreme ability to repel water. These surfaces exist in nature but may also be fabricated using modern techniques. This thesis explores heat transfer from these SH surfaces to drops impacting them. This thesis is devoted to increasing the breadth of knowledge of thermal atomization during drop impingement on superheated SH surfaces. When a water drop impinges vertically on a horizontal superheated surface, intense atomization can occur. The atomization is caused by rapid vapor generation at the surface and the corresponding formation and collapse of vapor bubble cavities. This thesis is divided into two main works, experimental quantification of thermal atomization and analytical prediction of vapor generation. An experimental exploration, comprising chapter 3 contains experimental work done on drop impingement on nanostructured surfaces. of this thesis, presents results of experiments meant to quantify the amount of thermal atomization during drop impingement on superheated superhydrophobic surfaces. Effects of time, surface temperature, and surface geometry are investigated. Superhydrophobic surface geometries explored in this work included post, rib, and carbon nanotube (CNT) structures. Each surface is characterized by its temperature jump length. It is shown that, in general, atomization intensity decreases with increasing temperature jump length. It is also shown that atomization is completely suppressed on surfaces with nanoscale surface features and high cavity fraction (e.g. CNT structures). This work also relates the effect of temperature jump length on the maximum atomization temperature and the maximum atomization time. Both quantities show a systematic relationship with temperature jump length. The analytical portion, comprising chapter 4 of this thesis, presents an analytical model used to predict the amount vapor generated during drop impingement on superheated SH surfaces. This vapor generation is then correlated to experimental values of atomization. Atomization is caused by vapor generation so their magnitudes are thought to be proportional. Two existing analytical models for drop contact area of impinging drops are combined to predict drop spread for all impact scenarios. An analytical model for heat flux is used to find heat transfer to impinging drops and mass flow rate of vapor generated from boiling.

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