The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the influence of lower body strength characteristics on change of direction (COD) performance in NCAA Division I soccer athletes. Specifically, this dissertation served to examine: 1) whether the lower body strength and power were related to COD performance, 2) whether stronger athletes had superior COD performance than weaker athletes, 3) whether the force production asymmetry and strength dominant (SD) associated with COD performance, and 4) weather sex differences existed in kinetic variables during the stand phase of cutting. The major findings of this dissertation include: 1) strength and power characteristics were moderately to strongly related to COD performance. Furthermore, soccer athletes’ straight-line sprinting times were significantly related to COD performance outcomes. 2) Stronger athletes demonstrated the tendency to perform superiorly in modified 505 COD test when compared to weaker athletes. 3) Athletes who had more lower body force production asymmetry were more likely to perform asymmetrically during a COD test. However, the SD and the magnitude of asymmetry were not limiting factors for athletes’ COD performance.4) Male athletes demonstrated statistically significantly less COD total time, longer ground contact time (GCT), and better ability to apply forces and impulses while performing cutting. Based on the results, vertical forces and impulses during both the braking and propulsive phases of cutting ranged from 2.51 to 3.14 times larger than horizontal direction. In summary, stronger and more powerful soccer athletes were able to perform in a superior manner for both the COD tasks and straight-line sprinting. This may be due to the ability to produce high force and power during the critical time periods. Although force production asymmetry during related to the asymmetrical performance during COD tasks, the SD and the magnitude of asymmetry did not limit the COD performance. Finally, statistical differences existed between sexes in kinetic variables during cutting may be due to the different approaches to apply force in this task. Moreover, the ability to generate higher force and impulse in the vertical direction could affect COD performance.

Nonlinear and chaotic environmental changes characterize health services organizations as complex adaptive systems in which leaders must exercise non-traditional leadership practices to succeed. Health services leaders who have learned and implemented traditional linear management approaches are ill prepared to lead in complex environments. This study tested complexity and adaptive leadership theories of agility and resilience in complex health systems. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional internet-based survey study was to quantify relationships between independent variables of agility and resilience and secondary dependent variables of financial, patient satisfaction, quality and human capital outcomes. The impact of turbulence was also examined. Included sample data were collected from 533 employed healthcare leaders using probability-based systematic proportional random sampling methods and were analyzed through correlation, regression, one-way analysis of variance, t tests, and Hayes PROCESS statistical analytics. Agility correlated with and predicted patient satisfaction outcomes. Resilience independently correlated with and predicted financial performance and patient satisfaction outcomes and augmented the correlation and predictability of agility. Agility and resilience cumulatively predicted financial performance outcomes. Turbulence was related to agility, resilience, financial performance, and patient care quality outcomes and mediated relationships with financial and patient care quality outcomes. Health services leaders may apply these findings to promote social change through the implementation of the agile and resilient leadership approaches necessary to achieve organizational performance outcomes that benefit vulnerable populations.

Decades of qualitative case studies suggest that organizations must be able to deal with change effectively to compete and survive. Many researchers have linked higher workforce levels of agility and resilience to organizations' abilities to deal with change more successfully; however, there is a scarcity of empirical research addressing the efficacy of agility and resilience development in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively examine the development of workforce resilience and agility, as measured by FIT for Change assessment. The theory of planned behavior was the study's theoretical framework, theorizing that changing attitudes and beliefs about change through a learning program might lead to more positive behaviors in response to change. The primary research question was whether a significant difference exists between individual agility and resilience levels before and after a learning intervention in the target population (N = 612) of associates employed by a large healthcare organization who participated in the learning intervention. Due to the abnormal distribution of the data and failed assumption of homogeneity of the regression slopes, Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was used in lieu of ANCOVA. The results indicated that Agility scores increased on the second test (p = .000). Resilience scores did not change significantly on the second test (p = .913). This study is significant to healthcare organizations undergoing change and may result in organizations investing in development of agility and resilience of their workforce. Developing agility and resilience in people facilitates social change by creating communities that do not just survive but adapt in an optimistic way and find opportunities benefiting the society even during the most adverse changes.

The purpose of this study was to compare effects of static and dynamic stretching on explosive agility movements, and to examine the effect of the interaction of dynamic and static stretching prior to explosive agility movements. Fourteen men and 10 women performed the different warm-up protocols, including no warm-up (NWU), static stretching (SS), dynamic stretching (DS), and dynamic stretching with static stretching (DS+SS). The T-Drill was used to assess agility. The results indicated no difference between the NWU and SS conditions (effect size = 0.40, p = 0.06), as well as no significant difference between the NWU and DS+SS conditions (effect size = 0.01, p = 0.48), and the SS and DS+SS conditions (effect size = 0.40, p = 0.06). Statistically significant differences were found between the NWU and DS conditions (effect size = 0.45, p = 0.03), the SS and DS conditions (effect size = 0.85, p < 0.001), and the DS and DS+SS conditions (effect size = 0.40, p = 0.03). Agility test times, in order from fastest to slowest, were (a) dynamic stretching (10.87 ± 1.07 s), (b) dynamic stretching + static stretching (11.41 ± 1.26 s), (c) no warm-up (11.42 ± 1.21 s), (d) static stretching (11.90 ±1.35 s). Dynamic stretching resulted in the fastest agility test time. Static stretching resulted in the slowest agility times. The benefits of dynamic stretching may have been diluted when followed by Static Stretching, and the agility test time was the same as if no form of stretching was completed. Static stretching prior to agility is not recommended as it has a negative effect on the stretch shortening cycle, and agility. The results support the use of dynamic stretching prior to agility performance.

<p>Starka samband har tidigare framkommit mellan den maximala styrkan i knäböj på två ben och sprintkapacitet rakt fram på varierande distanser men inte på sprintkapacitet i agility. Gemensamt för de flesta studier är dock att styrketesterna endast utförts på två ben.</p><p>Syftet med studien var att undersöka korrelationen mellan maximal styrka i enbensknäböj i smith-maskin och sprintförmågan i löpningar, både rakt fram och med riktningsförändringar.</p><p>Testgruppen bestod av 19 män (23,9 ± 2,5 år) med regelbunden träningserfarenhet av intermittenta lagsporter. Sprinttester gjordes på 5, 10 och 20 meter rakt fram samt ett zigzag agilitytest för att testa sprintkapacitet med riktningsförändringar. Enbensknäböj i smith-maskin genomfördes med stången på axlarna och ett djup på 110 grader vinkel mellan femur och tibia.</p><p>Resultaten av studien visade på signifikanta korrelationer mellan den maximala styrkan i enbensknäböj och sprintkapaciteten på 5 och 10 meter samt i agility. När den maximala styrkan var relaterad till kroppsvikten hittades signifikanta korrelationer mellan 5 och 20 meter samt i agility. Zigzag agilitytest visade sig vara starkt korrelerat med alla de uppmätta sprintdistanserna.</p><p>Våra slutsatser av resultatet i studien är att knäböj på ett ben ställer stora krav på balans, stabilitet och koordination och är därför rörelsespecifikt mot löpning som innehåller riktningsförändringar. Den maximala styrkan i enbensknäböj är en god förutsägare till sprintkapacitet både i löpningar rakt fram och med riktningsförändringar. Enbensträning kan med fördel implementeras i fysträningen inom idrotter med ett intermittent rörelsemönster för att förbättra den idrottspecifika sprintkapaciteten.</p> / <p>Strong correlations have been found between strength in the two leg squat exercise and sprint performance in various distances but not in sprint performance in agility. In studies the most common way to test squat strength is on two legs.</p><p>The purpose in this study was to investigate the correlation between maximal strength in a bulgarian split squat in a smith machine and speed in various sprint distances and agility.</p><p>The test group were 19 men (age 23,9 ± 2,5 ) with regular experience in intermittent team sports. Sprint tests at 5, 10 and 20 meter and the zigzag agility test were performed. The bulgarian split squat was performed in a smith machine with the barbell on the shoulders to a depth of 110 degrees between tibia and femur.</p><p>The results show significant correlation between maximal strength in the bulgarian split squat and sprint capacity in the 5 and 10 meter sprint test as well as the agility test. Maximal strength relative to bodyweight showed significant correlation with the 5 and 20 meter sprint as well as the agility test. The zigzag agility test also showed strong correlation between all distances in the sprint tests.</p><p>Our conclusions based on the results are that the bulgarian split squat puts big demands on balance, stability and coordination and is therefore a specific movement towards sprints that include changes of direction. The maximum strength in a split squat is a good predictor for sprint capacity in sprints. Implementing one leg exercises in the strength and conditioning routine can be good for athletes in intermittent sports to improve the sports specific sprint capacity.</p>

Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

No description available.

Starka samband har tidigare framkommit mellan den maximala styrkan i knäböj på två ben och sprintkapacitet rakt fram på varierande distanser men inte på sprintkapacitet i agility. Gemensamt för de flesta studier är dock att styrketesterna endast utförts på två ben. Syftet med studien var att undersöka korrelationen mellan maximal styrka i enbensknäböj i smith-maskin och sprintförmågan i löpningar, både rakt fram och med riktningsförändringar. Testgruppen bestod av 19 män (23,9 ± 2,5 år) med regelbunden träningserfarenhet av intermittenta lagsporter. Sprinttester gjordes på 5, 10 och 20 meter rakt fram samt ett zigzag agilitytest för att testa sprintkapacitet med riktningsförändringar. Enbensknäböj i smith-maskin genomfördes med stången på axlarna och ett djup på 110 grader vinkel mellan femur och tibia. Resultaten av studien visade på signifikanta korrelationer mellan den maximala styrkan i enbensknäböj och sprintkapaciteten på 5 och 10 meter samt i agility. När den maximala styrkan var relaterad till kroppsvikten hittades signifikanta korrelationer mellan 5 och 20 meter samt i agility. Zigzag agilitytest visade sig vara starkt korrelerat med alla de uppmätta sprintdistanserna. Våra slutsatser av resultatet i studien är att knäböj på ett ben ställer stora krav på balans, stabilitet och koordination och är därför rörelsespecifikt mot löpning som innehåller riktningsförändringar. Den maximala styrkan i enbensknäböj är en god förutsägare till sprintkapacitet både i löpningar rakt fram och med riktningsförändringar. Enbensträning kan med fördel implementeras i fysträningen inom idrotter med ett intermittent rörelsemönster för att förbättra den idrottspecifika sprintkapaciteten. / Strong correlations have been found between strength in the two leg squat exercise and sprint performance in various distances but not in sprint performance in agility. In studies the most common way to test squat strength is on two legs. The purpose in this study was to investigate the correlation between maximal strength in a bulgarian split squat in a smith machine and speed in various sprint distances and agility. The test group were 19 men (age 23,9 ± 2,5 ) with regular experience in intermittent team sports. Sprint tests at 5, 10 and 20 meter and the zigzag agility test were performed. The bulgarian split squat was performed in a smith machine with the barbell on the shoulders to a depth of 110 degrees between tibia and femur. The results show significant correlation between maximal strength in the bulgarian split squat and sprint capacity in the 5 and 10 meter sprint test as well as the agility test. Maximal strength relative to bodyweight showed significant correlation with the 5 and 20 meter sprint as well as the agility test. The zigzag agility test also showed strong correlation between all distances in the sprint tests. Our conclusions based on the results are that the bulgarian split squat puts big demands on balance, stability and coordination and is therefore a specific movement towards sprints that include changes of direction. The maximum strength in a split squat is a good predictor for sprint capacity in sprints. Implementing one leg exercises in the strength and conditioning routine can be good for athletes in intermittent sports to improve the sports specific sprint capacity.

Inom utvecklingen av de flesta typer av datorsystem används datormodeller för att strukturera lagringen och användningen av data. Likaså finns det flera olika datamodelleringsmetoder att välja bland för detta ändamål. I samarbete med ett företag har en fallstudie genomförts med syfte att undersöka hur agiliteten i två av dessa metoder påverkar utvecklingen av ett Data Warehouse (DW).  De två datamodelleringsmetoder som undersökts är Data Vaulting och Hyper Agility och arbetet har fokuserat på att undersöka skillnaderna mellan dessa när det gäller mängden ETL-kod som måste skrivas, funktionaliteten i datatransformationerna, möjligheten till att uppdatera systemstrukturen samt den totala kostnaden för utvecklingen av DW-lösningen. Inom ramen för fallstudien har en litteraturstudie genomförts och kombinerats med material från sex intervjuer, där respondenterna varit konsulter såväl som företagsrepresentanter.   Resultaten av fallstudien visar att respektive metods agilitet har en stor påverkan på den kod som utvecklas. Ju högre agilitet metoden har desto mindre kod, tid och andra resurser som krävs. Dock medför även en förhöjd agilitet större komplexitet samt eventuell risk för ett misslyckat utvecklingsprojekt.

<p>Reconstructing locomotor patterns from fossils is crucial for understanding the origins of primates and important transitions in various primate clades. Recent studies suggest that the semicircular canals of the inner ear provide evidence about locomotion. The canals sense rotational head accelerations and drive reflexes essential for normal movement. Because bony aspects of canal morphology influence canal sensitivity, this system can be studied in osteologic specimens and fossils. Variation in canal morphology in living and, by inference, extinct primates has been attributed to interspecific differences in locomotor behavior. However, the manner in which movement selects for canal morphology is debated, alternative scenarios are plausible, and no relevant measurements are available documenting head movements in primates.</p><p>To refine proposed links between canal morphology and locomotor function, and to resolve conflicting functional interpretations, this study examines head rotations in lemurs and lorises exhibiting diverse locomotor behaviors. Three-dimensional kinematic analyses were used to characterize angular velocities of the head during locomotion. These data are used to test hypotheses concerning intraspecific, interspecific, and body-size dependent variation in head rotations. Cranial CT scans are used to model canal sensitivity to rotations in different directions. Observed patterns of head rotation are compared to predicted patterns of sensitivity to test hypotheses about the relationship between locomotor behavior and canal design.</p><p>Evaluation of existing locomotor inferences reveals that brain size exerts a significant effect on canal size and that the prevailing equations for predicting agility from body and canal size are highly inaccurate. Intraspecific comparisons between maps of observed angular velocity and predicted sensitivity allow identification of map types associated with different general locomotor modes and do not support existing hypotheses about the primary selective forces acting on canal morphology. The new data are used to formulate and test a novel "fast-accurate hypothesis" to explain why all vertebrates are more sensitive to rotations about some axes than others. The fast-accurate hypothesis stipulates that angular velocities presented about axes of mean sensitivity are most accurately interpreted by the brain, and that selection aligns axes of mean sensitivity with axes of habitually fast rotation because accurate perception of rapid rotations confers survival benefit. The fast-accurate hypothesis was used to predict which features of the canals should be correlated with high mean angular velocities of head movement. Novel equations that predict behavior from these newly identified canal morphologies were generated and found to outperform existing equations when tested on the original sample of 11 strepsirrhine species.</p> / Dissertation