Therapeutic exercise has previously been shown to alter the static height of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA). It is still unknown, however, if these effects carry over into dynamic activities. PURPOSE: To determine if an 8-week foot strengthening exercise program increases static arch height and reduces vertical deformation of the MLA during mid-stance in running.METHODS: Thirty-four recreational runners (17 males, 17 females) have completed this ongoing study (age 24.06 ± 3.61 years, body mass 68.63 ± 12.95 kg, and height 173.34 ± 9.54 cm). To date, 22 subjects have been assigned to the control group (8 weeks of normal running) and 12 to the foot strengthening group (8 weeks of foot strengthening, along with normal running). Static arch height (SAH) and dynamic arch drop (DAD) were measured at baseline and following the 8-week intervention using Vicon motion analysis. Reflective markers were placed on the proximal and distal ends of the 1st and 5th metatarsals. These 4 markers were recorded in static double leg stance to estimate SAH, and in single leg mid-stance to give a measure of DAD during treadmill running at a self-selected pace. Ten-second trials were recorded at minutes 3 and 4 during running and DAD was evaluated for right and left feet by comparing arch height in mid-stance to the SAH. Following the intervention, data for SAH and DAD were compared across time points and statistical analysis performed to identify differences in the amount of change in SAH and DAD between groups. RESULTS: There was no difference noted in DAD between the groups as a whole, but the change in DAD from baseline to the end of week 8 was statistically significant for those in the foot strengthening group with an initial DAD of ≥ 3.80 mm (p < .028). There was also a statistically significant increase in SAH in the foot strengthening group compared to the control group (p = .013). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data suggest that the foot strengthening intervention was effective in increasing SAH compared to the control group. The intervention was most effective at decreasing DAD in those with the largest amount of DAD at baseline. At this time it is unknown whether this decrease in arch drop is associated with performance benefits or decreased injury risk in the recreational runner, and further research is needed to determine the clinical significance of these findings.

The purposes of this dissertation were to 1) determine the effectiveness of the neutrophillymphocyte ratio (NLR) as an athlete monitoring tool in resistance training and 2) determine if repetition maximum or relative intensity loading scheme is superior in managing fatigue through the hormonal, inflammatory, and performances response throughout a 10-week periodized resistance training program. Results from the dissertation give merit to continued research regarding the use of NLR as a monitoring tool to help determine the degree of recovery. Furthermore, results from this dissertation lead to questioning the effectiveness of using a repetition maximum (RM) loading scheme within a periodized training model. Results indicated statistical significant time x group interaction effects for training strain and T:C, statistical main effects for time for NLR, IPF, and IPFa. Under an identical programming model, RM loading subjects experienced a 48.7% increase in training strain over the course of ten weeks. This intensification in training strain likely contributed to the increased negative immune and endocrine response the RM subjects experienced when compared to the relative intensity (RISR) group. When dissecting the individual pre-post performance results, the three largest decreases in static jump height (out of four) participated in the RM loading group. Additionally, only two subjects experienced decreases in their maximal strength (based on isometric mid-thigh pull), both of which participated in the RM loading group. Lastly, it is highly likely that one subject from the RM group was at exceedingly high risk of entering a state overtraining. At a minimum, the subject entered a state of a nonfunctional overreach, based on an increase in cortisol concentrations, NLR, T:C levels, along with decreases in testosterone concentrations and maximal strength performance. When combined, results suggest that using an RM loading scheme and a periodized model may not allow for adequate recovery, especially during phases where recovery is of utmost importance (e.g. a taper).

Objective: To compare changes in hamstring flexibility from treatments of pulsed short- wave diathermy and prolonged stretch versus sham diathermy and prolonged stretch and control and to observe how long those changes last. Background: Heat and stretch techniques have been touted for years. To date, the effect of short-wave diathermy and hamstring stretching has not been thoroughly studied. Because diathermy heats a large area and penetrates deep into the muscle, use of this device prior to or during hamstring stretching may increase flexibility and these gains may last longer. Study Design: A randomized, counterbalanced 3x2x6 repeated measures design. The 3 independent variables were day, pretest/posttest, and treatment mode. Treatment mode had 3 levels: diathermy and stretch, sham diathermy and stretch, and control. The dependent variable was the change in knee extension range of motion (ROM). Methods and Measures: Thirty college-age students with tight hamstrings (inability to achieve >160° knee extension at 90° hip flexion) participated. Subjects were assigned to 1 of 3 groups, (diathermy and stretch; sham diathermy and stretch; control). Range of motion was recorded before and after each treatment every other day for 2 weeks. Additional ROM measures were taken on days 15, 22, 29, and 36. A straight-leg raise stretch was performed using a mechanical apparatus. Subjects in the diathermy and stretch group received 10 minutes of diathermy (distal hamstrings), 5 minutes of diathermy and stretch, followed by 5 minutes of stretching only. Subjects in the sham diathermy and stretch group followed the same protocol, except the diathermy unit was turned off. Subjects in the control group lay on the table for 20 minutes. Data were analyzed using an ANOVA, an ANCOVA, and post hoc t-tests. Results: Least Squares (LS) Mean (± Pooled SE) increases in knee extension after 6 treatments were: 11.3 ± 1.2° for the diathermy and stretch group; 10.0 ± 1.2° for the sham diathermy and stretch group; and 3.2 ± 1.2° for the control group. At Day 15, 3 days after the last treatment, the diathermy and stretch group lost 6.9 ± 0.8°; the sham diathermy and stretch group lost 6.6 ± 0.8°; and the control group changed 1.6 ± 0.8°. At Day 22 the diathermy and stretch group had lost 7.4 ± 0.8°; the sham diathermy and stretch group lost 6.8 ± 0.8°; and the control group changed 1.7 ± 0.8° from the last treatment. At Day 29 the diathermy and stretch group had lost 8.2 ± 0.9°; the sham diathermy and stretch group lost 7.1 ± 0.9°; and the control group changed 1.7 ± 0.8° from the last treatment. At Day 36 the diathermy and stretch group had lost 8.3 ± 0.8°; the sham diathermy and stretch group lost 7.4 ± 0.8°; and the control group changed 2.1 ± 0.8° from the last treatment. Conclusion: These results indicate that hamstring flexibility can be improved when long-duration or prolonged stretching is used and that those improvements will slowly diminish over several weeks. Clinicians should consider the use of long-duration stretch to help patients with tight hamstrings increase flexibility and maintain those gains over time.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of same-day strength training on velocity and accuracy of a tennis serve among five female Division I intercollegiate athletes at the second and sixth week of a strength training program. Velocity and accuracy of 20 tennis serves were measured approximately four hours after a morning split-body (lower legs and trunk) strength training session termed the lift-day (LD) and were compared to measures taken on days that no lifting took place, termed the non-lift day (NLD). For each test day, velocity was multiplied by accuracy to provide an overall serve performance score for each NLD and LD. An ANOVA revealed that there was no significant difference in any of the measured variables between the NLD and the LD at any time period throughout the study. A mean serve performance score difference between NLD (77.56) and LD (78.05) of 0.49 was not statistically different [p = 0.84]. The results of this study suggest that female collegiate tennis players may strength-train with no significant effect on same-day serve performance following adequate recovery.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of leisure-based screen time on physical activity. Ninety-four families participated in this six-week study. Each family was randomly assigned to one of three screen time groups: (1) control group (2) 2-hour-limit group or (3) one-hour-limit group. Family members wore a Walk4Life LS 2505® pedometer to measure steps. Daily screen time logs were filled out each night and leisure-based screen time and steps were recorded. Analysis of variance (steps x group) was used to determine differences among the groups. Univariate tests showed there were no significant differences among any of the adult groups (F (2,101) = 1.02, p =.361). Similar to the adults, univariate tests in the 13 to 18-year-olds indicated there were no significant differences among any of the groups (F (2 ,62) = 368, p =.694). In the 5 to 12-year-olds, univariate tests determined significant group differences (F (2,164) = 3.35, p =.037). Estimated marginal mean differences indicated a significant difference between the control and 2-hour-limit groups (p =.011). In looking at all the children, males averaged more steps per day than females, and all groups in the 5 to 12-year-olds averaged more steps compared to the 13 to 18-year-olds (10,828 vs. 9,875 steps each day). The 5 to 12-year-olds in the 2-hour-limit and control groups viewed 72 minutes and 114 minutes of screen time each day, respectively. In conclusion, engaging in about 42 minutes less of screen time each day may increase physical activity by ~1,300 more steps each day.

Sixty premenopausal women (age 25-50) finished a 16 week randomized controlled trial looking at the effects of different jump programs on hip and spine bone mineral density (BMD). Subjects were randomly assigned to a control group or one of two jumping groups. The Jump 10 group performed 10 jumps with 30 seconds of rest between jumps, twice daily, while the Jump 20 group performed the same protocol but with 20 jumps. At 8 weeks, BMD percent change (%Δ) at the hip was significantly different among groups when age, weight change, and subject compliance were simultaneously adjusted. In particular, the Jump 20 group had a greater %Δ in hip BMD compared to controls. However, %Δ in BMD for the neck of the hip (NOH), trochanter, or spine was not different among groups at 8 weeks. Following 16 weeks of jumping, BMD %Δ at the total hip and trochanter were significantly different among groups after adjusting for all covariates. Specifically, at the hip and trochanter, the Jump 10 and Jump 20 groups showed significantly greater %Δ in BMD compared to controls. There were no significant differences among groups for the BMD %Δ at NOH or spine at 16 weeks. Within-group analyses revealed no significant changes from baseline to 16 weeks for the jumping groups, but controls lost significant BMD. In conclusion, after 16 weeks of high-impact jump training, BMD at the hip and trochanter can be improved by jumping 10 or 20 times, twice daily, with 30 seconds of rest between each jump, compared to controls.

The purpose of this study was to compare effects of the front squat and back squat on vertical jump and lower body power index of division 1 male volleyball players. Eighteen NCAA Division 1 male volleyball players volunteered for this study and were assigned either to a back squat or a front squat training program group. Subjects followed the training program for 8 weeks. Counter-movement vertical jump (CMVJ) height and lower body power index were measured at 0, 4 and 8 weeks of the study. A 2x3 factorial ANOVA revealed no significant difference in CMVJ height and power index between the training groups (p = 0.921). In addition, changes in power index over 8 weeks were not significant (p = 0.931). There was significant improvement for both groups in CMVJ height from 0 to 4 weeks (p = .001) and from 0 to 8 weeks (p = .000), but not from 4 to 8 weeks (p =.080). Both front squat and back squat strength training programs were both equally effective at enhancing CMVJ performance.

This study was conducted to determine the extent to which changes in dietary fiber consumption affect weight and body fat percentage (BF%) over time. An auxiliary objective was to examine the influence of age, total caloric intake, and physical activity (PA) on the relationship between changes in fiber intake and changes in body composition over time. Design/ Subjects: Prospective cohort design with baseline and follow-up assessments 20 months apart and 252 middle-aged women (40.1±3.0 y). Diet, particularly caloric and fiber intake, was measured using 7-day weighed food records. Body fat was assessed via the Bod Pod, and PA was measured objectively using MTI accelerometers over seven consecutive days. Statistical Analysis: Changes in weight, BF%, and fiber intake were calculated by subtracting baseline measurements from those taken at 20 months. Regression analysis was used to determine the extent to which baseline fiber intake/1000 kcal and changes in fiber intake/1000 kcal were predictive of changes in body weight and BF%. Partial correlation was employed to ascertain the effect of controlling for each of the potential confounding variables on the fiber and body composition associations. Results: Across the study, there were significant changes in all variables. For every increase of one gram of fiber/1000 kcal consumed, weight decreased by 0.55 lb (P=0.0061) and BF% decreased by 0.25 percentage point (P=0.0052). Baseline fiber intake/1000 kcal was not predictive of changes in body weight or BF% over the 20 month period. Conclusions: Increasing dietary fiber intake may be an effective means of weight management in middle-aged women.

The purposes of this study were to develop a notational analysis system to evaluate volleyball setting performance independent of the actions of the hitter and to use the data to develop a Markovian transitional matrix that would make known the probabilities of specific outcomes from each setting scenario. Setting performance was analyzed based on the sets distance from the net, height of the set, and position of the set in relation to the hitter as viewed from 13 filmed competitions of a Division I intercollegiate women's volleyball team. Data from the notation of 1353 sets were used to develop a Markovian transitional matrix. The data indicated that 25 different setting scenarios occurred. Overall, sets within 3-5 feet from the net resulted in the highest probability of a point and the lowest probability of a point for the opponent. Low sets, whether inside or outside in relation to the hitter also resulted in a high probability of winning a point. High sets, whether inside or outside in relation to the hitter, resulted in the lowest probability of success and the highest probability of a point for the opponent. A notational analysis system such as described in this study can effectively be used by coaches to evaluate setting performance, provide effective feedback, develop team strategies and style of play, and allocate practice time.

Objective: To compare the tape cast, and an Air-Stirrup/closed basketweave combination to the Air-Stirrup alone with respect to their effects on dynamic ankle inversion. Design and Setting: This study used a repeated measures design with the independent variables being the exercise bout and the ankle support method (4 levels: no support, Air-Stirrup only, Air-Stirrup/closed basketweave, and tape cast). The 2 dependent variables were total inversion and maximum inversion velocity. Measurements were taken before and after an exercise bout, and all trials were conducted in the university's human performance laboratory. Subjects: 16 subjects (11 male, 5 female, age 24.3 ± 1.8 years) with no ankle injury within 6 months prior to participation participated in this study. Measurements: Subjects stood on an inversion platform, which rotated 37° in the frontal plane, creating dynamic inversion of the ankle. Total inversion and maximum inversion velocity were calculated using electrogoniometers. A linear growth curve was used to model pre to post exercise differences. Results: There was a significant difference between the control and the 3 support methods for both variables. The effects of the Air-Stirrup/closed basketweave were similar to the effects of the Air-Stirrup alone. There was no significant difference between the tape cast and the Air-Stirrup. Conclusions: All 3 support methods significantly reduce total ankle inversion and maximum inversion velocity. When compared with the Air-Stirrup alone, the tape cast and the tape/brace combination both are similar in their effects on total ankle inversion and maximum inversion velocity.