Previous studies with college athletes determined that the shoulder girdle plays a vital role in a variety of athletic activities. The previous research showed that a decrease in shoulder range of motion (ROM) was associated with a higher risk injury. Decreased shoulder ROM was shown to be a primary reason that many athletes were unable to perform many overhead lifting variations within their strength and conditioning programs. The purpose of this research was to evaluate a group of athletes by means of a postural assessment using the overhead squat test. This study consisted of a pretest-post test control group design. The dependent variable that was observed was the goniometric measurement of the shoulder ROM in response to the independent variable, which was a specialized upper body stretching protocol. Current NCAA Division I male athletes from a university in the south, who competed in a variety of different intercollegiate sports, volunteered for this study (N = 27). For the purpose of the current study the athlete was asked to perform three trials of the overhead squat test. For each of the trials goniometric data were collected. After the data were collected the athletes were taught the joint-specific stretching protocol that was to be used as the intervention for this study. When the pretest and posttest data were observed, the intervention group had an average decrease of 14.7 degrees over the course of the study, while the control group only showed an average decrease of 1.6 degrees. A one-way ANOVA showed that the means of the two groups were not statistically different at the posttest but were significantly different at the pretest. To check the interaction between the grouping factor and the trial factor, a 2 x 2 ANOVA, at a p-value of 0.05, was used to determine the between measurement interactions. From the data that were collected it was determined that there was a statistically significant time factor as well as interaction effect when comparing the two conditions.

Purpose: This study examined: (1) the relationship between exercise induced fatigue and postural balance amongst geriatric patients with vestibular disorders. (2) Assessed the duration for postural stability to return to baseline measurements upon induced fatigue. Methods: A controlled pre-post test experimental design method was used during this study. This study incorporated a quantitative analysis to explore the relationship between exercise induced fatigue and postural balance with a sample of 24 subjects. The subjects were randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group. Baseline postural stability measurements were conducted prior to all subject testing and were accounted for again once testing was completed in order to assess the duration for postural stability to return to baseline measurements. All subject testing was conducted using a treadmill and a CYBEX CSMi balance board. Results: The results indicated that age can predict baseline balance score, baseline balance percent, maximum heart rate achieved, immediate posttest balance score, terminal posttest balance score, and terminal posttest balance percent. BMI, obesity, gender, were found to be significant among control and experimental groups when holding baseline balance percent and baseline balance scores constant. Conclusion: It is important for geriatrics who possess a vestibular disorder maintain a healthy and active lifestyle so that they can reduce the risk of falling by lowering their BMI and lowering their chances of obesity. BMI and obesity were found to be positively correlated with an increased risk of falling.

This study compares the utilization of technology in sports information departments of Division I-A, Division I-AA and Division II schools within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The utilization was determined by a survey of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Southern Conference and South Atlantic Conference. The survey was comprised of 40 questions seeking demographic information and the use of technology within the three conferences. Areas of data presentation included the use of computers, facsimile technology, electronic mail, the internet and computer statistical programs. The results of the survey indicated that there was not a distinct difference in the way technology was utilized among the three conferences.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinetic and kinematic implications of cluster loading as a resistance training programming tactic. Cluster loading involves introducing rest during a set which may allow athletes to train at higher absolute intensities. Eleven trained males were recruited for this study. Subjects completed two testing sessions consisting of three sets of five back squats at 80% of their one repetition maximum. Cluster loading included 30s of inter-repetition rest. All testing was done on dualforce plates with four linear position transducers. Paired sample t-tests were used to determine differences between conditions with Cohen’s d effect sizes describing the magnitude of change between conditions. Both conditions had similar values for peak force and average force. Cluster loading had significantly higher power and velocity outputs, shorter times to peak power and velocity as well as greater maintenance of time to peak power. These results suggest cluster loading may be superior to traditional loading when maintaining power output and timepoint variables is the desired outcome of training.

SPEED AND AGILITY TRAINING THE MUSTANG WAY: THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INSTRUCTIONAL DVD FOR CAL POLY ATHLETES’ SUMMER TRAINING Gary Douglas Heron The purpose of this project was to create an instructional DVD of speed and agility training for Cal Poly student-athletes. The DVD is for athletes’ use when they are away from campus during summer break and contains information about the same drills and information the strength and conditioning coaches provided while athletes were on campus. The project was filmed and edited by the graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach for Cal Poly intercollegiate athletics. The DVD contains 74 drills that encompass speed techniques, acceleration techniques, plyometrics, footwork, and change of direction. Recommendations for further empirical research in the area of speed and agility training are provided.

The primary purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the effect of training status on adaptations to resistance training. A secondary purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the relationship between subjective and objective forms of monitoring resistance training (RT). The benefits of RT are well understood but training status may be a major influence on training outcomes. Fifteen males of various training status were recruited for this study. Subjects completed 11 weeks of block periodization (BP) training. Subjects were tested for absolute strength (ABS) and relative strength (REL) in the barbell back squat, 0kg and 20kg static jumps (SJ) and 0kg and 20kg countermovement jumps (CMJ). Initial levels of ABS and REL were significantly correlated with rates of improvement for ABS, REL, and SJ and CMJ values. All subjects statistically improved ABS (p

To examine differences in body composition and maximal strength between collegiate (CLG) and men's club (CLB) rugby union players, as well as between the forward (FW) and back (BK) positions, seventeen resistance-trained men (24 ± 2.4 yrs; range: 20 ± 27 yrs; 179.3 ± 5.4 cm; 93.7 ± 12.9kg) from a collegiate rugby team (n=11) and a local men's rugby club (n=6) were recruited to participate in the present investigation. Prior to strength testing, height (± 0.1 cm), body mass (± 0.1 kg), and body composition via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry were assessed to determine total percent body fat (%FAT), lean body mass (LBM), lean arm mass (LAM), and lean leg mass (LLM). Maximal upper- and lower-body strength were determined from each participant's one-repetition maximum (1RM) in the bench press and squat, respectively. Additionally, athletic history, resistance training experience, and distractors (e.g. work, school, and sleep) were determined via questionnaire. Significant (p<0.05) differences were observed between clubs in age (CLG: 22.3 ± 1.3y; CLB: 26.2 ± 1.1y), years played (CLG: 2.9 ± 2.4y; CLB: 7.5 ± 2.1y), and starting experience (CLG: 1.7 ± 2.6y; CLB: 5.2 ± 3.4y). In terms of position, LAM was significantly (p = 0.037) greater in FW (10.6 ± 1.7kg) than in BK (9.0 ± 0.5kg). These findings suggest rugby union players possess similar strength and size characteristics, regardless of age, playing experience, or position.

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and potential abnormalities of biomarkers in female soccer and field hockey players by conducting a meta-analysis of previous studies. In this study, previous research on certain biomarkers (Creatine kinase, lactic acid, iron, hemoglobin, white blood cells, and cortisol) in collegiate, elite and national level female soccer and field hockey players was collected and evaluated. Studies on baseline measurements for these biomarkers in female soccer and field hockey athletes were collected and their group means were considered. These values were collectively put into individual forest plots, one for each biomarker, and were thereafter compared to a given normal laboratory blood value range for the general population. Whereas iron, white blood cell count and especially hemoglobin tended to lie either towards or beneath the lower limit of the reference range assigned to the general population, CK and cortisol have a tendency to be higher in athletes compared to the general population. The findings for lactic acid did not have a significant tendency in either direction. The findings made throughout this study indicate the importance of proper nutrition for the athletes. Furthermore, the findings reiterate and remind coaches and health professionals of the importance on not only the education on proper nutrition for athletes, including sufficient iron intake and possible iron and vitamin supplementation but also the importance of adequate rest and time for recovery to limit the risk of overtraining and high intensity exercise related illness and infection.

This is the first part of a 2-part discussion on weightlifting and will describe the historical and scientific background of the sport.

This is the second part of a 2-part discussion (the first, “Weightlifting: A Brief Overview,” appeared 28(1):50-66, 2006) on weightlifting and will describe the best methods of designing a weightlifting program.