Objectives: To determine if force differences exist between isometric pulling positions corresponding to key positions of the deadlift. Design: Cross-sectional evaluation of isometric strength Methods: 14 powerlifters performed isometric pulls on a force plate at 3 key positions related to the deadlift (at the floor, just above the patella, and 5-6 cm short of lockout) and in the mid thigh pull position (MTP). A 1x4 repeated measures ANOVA was used to ascertain differences between the various pulling positions tested. Bonferroni-adjusted paired samples t-tests were used post-hoc. Results: Forces generated at each bar height were significantly different (F(3,39) = 51.058, p2=0.80). Paired samples t-tests showed significant differences between positions, revealing a trend of greater force generation at increasing heights for positions corresponding to the deadlift. Force generated in the mid thigh pull position was significantly higher than any other position. Conclusion: In positions corresponding to the deadlift, force generation increases at higher bar heights.

This thesis work is part of an on-going project regarding load-bearing timber glass composites within the EU program WoodWisdom-Net. One major scope of that project is the adhesive material between the glass and timber parts. The underlying importance of the bonding material is related to the transfer of stress between the two materials – the influence of the adhesive stiffness and ductility on the possibility of obtaining uniform stress distributions. In this study the mechanical properties of two different adhesives are investigated, an epoxy (3M DP490) and an acrylate (SikaFast 5215). The differences of the adhesives lay in dissimilar stiffness, strength and viscous behaviour. In long term load caring design is important to understand the materials behavior under a constant load and a permanent displacement within the structure can cause major consequences. Therefore the main aim in this project is to identify the adhesives strength, deformation capacity and possible viscous (time dependent) effects. Because of the limitation of equipment and time this study is restricted to only three different experiments. Three different types of tensile tests have been conducted: monotonic, cyclic relaxation tests.The results of the experiments show that 3M DP490 has a higher strength and a smaller deformation capacity as compared to the SikaFast 5215. Thus, the SikaFast 5215 is more ductile. The 3M DP490 exhibits a lower loss of strength under constant strain (at relaxation). SikaFast 5215 showed also a large dependency of strain level on the stress loss in relaxation.

Bone is a plastic tissue, changing in density and size with different levels of stress. Furthermore, it appears that BMD is altered in a site specific manner. However, BMD has not been studied extensively in all types of athletes, particularly well trained strengthpower athletes, such as throwers. The pwpose of this study was to examine the BMD of USA Division I collegiate throwers (shot put, discus, etc.). BMD was compared to normative data and to different athletes. Measures of whole body maximum strength and throwing performance were correlated with BMDs. Potential right/left side and sex differences were examined. Athletes were 4 males, 3 females age 19.9 ± 0.9 years. BMD was measured with a DEXA Maximum isometric strength was measured using a midthigh pull standing on a force plate. Force time-curves were generated during the strength tests. Peale force (PF) and normalized pealc force (PFa) were correlated with BMDs. Comparison indicates throwers have denser bones compared to normative data and compared to other types of athletes. Male throwers tend to have greater total body BMD than female throwers (p < 0.05). Dominant arm showed slightly greater BMD compared to non-dominant (p < 0.05). Furthermore, BMD is related to PF (r = 0.68) and PFa (r = 0.56). Throwers have greater BMD's than non-athletes or most other types of athletes. However, throwers showed only a small indication of sidedness. These observations likely stem from their training program (whole body heavy loading).