The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the effects of peristaltic pulse dynamic compression administered via NormaTec recovery system provides measurable kinetic, kinematic, or perceptual benefits following a weightlifting training session. During 2 testing sessions separated by 1 week, 6 weightlifters performed dynamic mid thigh pulls on a force plate with potentiometers at loads equal to 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, 110%, and 120% of 1 RM clean before and after a weightlifting training session consisting of 5 sets of 5 repetitions of clean pulls from the floor with 90% of 1 RM clean and treatment with the NormaTec recovery system or a sham treatment. Following a cross over design the weightlifters served as their own control receiving NomaTec treatment during 1 testing session and sham treatment during 1 testing session. Pre- and postdynamic mid thigh pulls were analyzed for peak force, force at 50 ms, force at 90 ms, force at 250 ms, impulse at 50 ms, impulse at 90 ms, impulse at 250 ms, rate of force development, peak velocity, peak power, and peak displacement. A 2x2 (treatment, time) repeated measures ANOVA showed no statistical differences in the interaction of treatment and time with the exception of impulse at 250 ms at the 70% load. The minimal effects of NormaTec on recovery from a weightlifting training session demonstrated in this study suggest that NormaTec recovery system does not provide substantial benefits following clean pulls from the floor. However, it is possible that NormaTec may be more effective following a greater level of eccentric damage or a test of strength endurance.

Muskelstärkande fysisk aktivitet kan likställas med styrketräning och definieras som fysisk aktivitet med avsikt att förbättra eller bibehålla muskulär styrka, muskelvolym och/eller muskulär uthållighet. Explosiv styrka kan beskrivas som kraftutveckling per tidsenhet och är en produkt av styrka/kraft och hastighet. Tidigare studier har visat att en god explosiv och maximal styrka bland annat kan ge hälsovinster, förbättra idrottslig förmåga, minska risken för idrottsskador och kan förebygga fallrisken hos äldre. Isometric mid-thigh pull-test (IMTP) har under de senaste 10 åren blivit ett vanligt test för att mäta helkroppsstyrka hos idrottare. Testet är lätt att administrera och har en god validitet samt reliabilitet. Studiens syfte var att undersöka sambandet mellan explosiv- och maximal styrka hos styrketränande personer vid ett IMTP-test. Tio deltagare med minst ett års erfarenhet av styrketräning rekryterades. Resultatet visade en måttligt stark korrelation (r = 0,48) mellan explosiv och maximal styrka, men ingen statistisk signifikans (p = 0,158). Deltagarnas Peak Force var i genomsnitt 2644 ± 404 N och Peak force vid 250ms var medel 1808 ± 231 N (i medel hade deltagarna uppnått 69% av Peak Force vid 250ms). Sammanfattningsvis noterades att det möjligen kan finnas en trend i korrelationen mellan explosiv och maximal styrka. Detta indikerar att maximal och explosiv styrka troligen överlappar varandra, det kan däremot inte bekräftas då det inte fanns något statistiskt samband. Vidare rekommenderas att framtida forskning undersöker explosiv styrka och maximal styrka som distinkta styrkeförmågor med fler deltagare och standardiserade testmetoder krävs för att vidare undersöka sambandet mellan maximal och explosiv styrka. / Muscle-strengthening physical activity can be equated with strength training and is defined as physical activity with the intention of improving or maintaining muscular strength, muscle volume, and/or muscular endurance. Explosive strength can be described as force development per unit of time and is a product of strength/power and speed. Previous studies have shown that good explosive and maximal strength can yield health benefits, improve athletic performance, reduce the risk of sports related injuries, and prevent the risk of falls in older adults. The Isometric Mid-Thigh-Pull-test (IMTP) has become a common test for measuring whole body strength in athletes over the past 10 years. The test is easy to administer and has good validity and reliability. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between explosive and maximal strength in resistance-trained individuals using an IMTP-test. Ten participants with at least one year’s experience of resistance training were recruited. The results showed a moderately strong correlation (r = 0,48) between explosive and maximal strength, but no statistical significance (p = 0,158). The participants’ Peak Force averaged 2644 ± 404 N, Peak Force at 250ms averaged 1808 ± 231 N (on average, participants had received 69% of Peak Force at 250ms). In summary, it was noted that there might be a trend in the correlation between explosive and maximal strength. This suggests that maximal and explosive strength likely overlap, but this cannot be confirmed as there was no statistical significance. Furthermore, it is recommended that future research investigates explosive strength as distinct strength abilities. More participants and standardized testing methods are required to further explore the relationship between maximal and explosive strength

Abstract available through Orthapaedic & Sport Physical Therapy.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between isometric force production symmetry and jumping performance in weighted and un-weighted static and countermovement jumps (SJ and CMJ). Design: Bivariate correlation between isometric force production symmetry and vertical jump performance variables. Methods: Collegiate athletes were evaluated for this study (n=36). Subjects performed SJ, CMJ, and isometric mid-thigh pulls (IMTP). Jumps were analyzed for jump height (JH) and peak power (PP). IMTP was analyzed for peak force (PF) for left and right sides, and values were calculated to produce a peak force symmetry index (PF-SI) score. Correlational statistics were performed examining the relationship between PF-SI and jump variables. Results: Moderate statistically significant negative correlations were observed between PF-SI and all jump variables, indicating that as asymmetry increases jump performance decreases. SJ correlations weakened in weighted conditions (JH r=-0.52 @ 0 kg/r=-0.39 @ 20 kg, PP r=-0.43 @ 0 kg/r=-0.34 @ 20 kg), but CMJ produced similar correlations for both conditions (JH r=-0.47 @ 0 kg/r=-0.49 @ 20 kg, PP r=-0.28 @ 0 kg/r=-0.34 @ 20 kg). Unlike the SJ, which only contains the propulsive or concentric portion of the jump, the CMJ also contains the eccentric portion and performance contributions of the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC). The addition of the SSC may play a role in the maintaining the magnitude of asymmetry in the CMJ weighted condition. Conclusions: The results indicate that force production asymmetry may be detrimental to bilateral vertical jumping performance. The findings should be considered for further investigation on sport-specific tasks.

Introduktion: Dynamic Strength Index är ett ratio som beskriver en individs förhållande mellan maximal och explosiv styrka. Post-activation potentiation (PAP) är ett fenomen där en förberedande aktivitet, exempelvis knäböj, används för att få en prestationsförbättring i en kommande aktivitet. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka om (a) isometriska partiella knäböj (IPK) påverkar Dynamic Strength Index-ration (DSI), (b) IPK påverkar hopphöjd eller maximal kraft i CMJ, c) IPK påverkar maximal kraft i IMTP, (d) det finns någon signifikant korrelation mellan DSI-ratio och PAP-effekt. Metod: Fyra manliga och fyra kvinnliga beachvolleybollspelare (ålder 24.2 ± 3.8 år, vikt 72.7 ± 11.5 kg, längd 179.3 ± 9.2 cm) deltog i en counterbalanced measure design studie med två testtillfällen. Deltagarna utförde countermovement jump (CMJ) på kraftplattor och isometric mid-thigh-pull (IMTP) med en lastcell under båda testdagarna DSI och DSIPAP. Under DSIPAP utfördes även IPK som en förberedande aktivitet.                                                                                                                                Resultat: Resultaten visade ingen signifikant skillnad på DSI-ratio mellan testtillfällena DSI och DSIPAP (p=0.42). Resultaten för CMJ (cm) visade en lägre hopphöjd vid DSIPAP och en signifikant skillnad (p=0.042). Ingen signifikant skillnad för varken CMJ PF (p=0.96) eller IMTP PF (p=0.20) mellan DSI och DSIPAP hittades. Resultaten visade inte heller någon signifikant korrelation mellan DSI-ratio och PAP-effekt för CMJ peak power (r=-0.38) och CMJ hopphöjd (r=-0.21).                                                                                                                                                                       Konklusion: Maximala isometriska knäböj verkar varken påverka DSI-ratio, CMJ PF eller IMTP PF och hade en negativ påverkan på hopphöjd för beachvolleyspelare. Resultaten i den här studien stöder tidigare forskning att en möjlig negativ korrelation mellan styrka-effekt-ratio och PAP-effekt. Framtida studier behövs för att undersöka det närmare. / Introduction: Dynamic Strength Index (DSI) is a ratio which describes an individuals relationship between maximal and explosive strength. Post-activation potentiation (PAP) is a phenomenon where a conditioning activity, i.e. squats, is used to enhance a subsequent activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate if (a) isometric partial squats (IPS) could affect the DSI ratio, (b) IPS affects jump height or peak force in Countermovement jump (CMJ), (c) IPS will affect peak force in isometric mid thigh-pull (IMTP), (d) there is a significant correlation between DSI-ratio and PAP-effect. Methods: Four male and four female beach volleyball players (age 24.2 ± 3.8 years, weight 72.7 ± 11.5 kg, length 179.3 ± 9.2 cm) participated in a counterbalanced measure design study consisting of two experimental trials. The participants performed countermovement jump (CMJ) on force plates and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) with a load cell during both trial days DSI and DSIPAP. During DSIPAP participants also performed IPS as a conditioning activity. Results: Results showed no significant difference on the DSI-ratio between the trials DSI and DSIPAP (p=0.42). Results for CMJ (cm) showed a decreased jump height at DSIPAP and a significant difference (p=0.042). No significant difference for neither CMJ PF (p=0.96) nor IMTP PF (p=0.20) between the trials were found. No significant correlation were found between DSI-ratio and PAP-effect neither for CMJ peak power (r=-0.38) nor CMJ jump height (r=-0.21). Conclusion: Maximal isometric squats does not seem to effect DSI-ratio, CMJ PF, CMJ PP nor IMTP PF but had a negative effect on jump height in CMJ for beach volleyball players. The findings in this study supports previous studies that a possible negative correlation exists between strength-power-ratio and PAP-effect. Future studies are required to investigate this further.

PURPOSE: To examine the influence of three distinct training phases on isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) measures in well-trained weightlifters. METHODS: Pre- and post-block IMTP data from 11 collegiate weightlifters was used for analysis. The mean of the best two attempts from each athlete for measures of PF and RFD from 0-50ms, 0-100ms, 0-150ms, 0-200ms, and 0-250ms were used for comparison. In total, results from five timepoints for each of the 11 athletes were examined in order to compare the effects of the three training phases. RESULTS: A repeated measures ANOVA revealed no statistically significant (p ≥ 0.05) effects of training on any of the variables measured. When comparing post block values from each phase to pre-training cycle values, the largest increase in RFD200 (d = 0.22) and RFD250 (d=0.22) occurred post strength-power (SP) phase, while the peak in RFD50 (d = 0.32), RFD100 (d = 0.31), and RFD150 (d = 0.22) occurred after the peak/taper (PT) phase. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the study, it is possible that changes in IMTP RFD may reflect the expected adaptations of block periodization. Rather than examining RFD changes at only one time-band, it may be valuable to monitor RFD across multiple time bands as changes in early and late RFD may not occur proportionally during a peak/taper phase.

Reactive strength index-modified (RSImod) is a measure of lower body explosiveness calculated by dividing jump height by time to takeoff. RSImod is different between stronger and weaker athletes and between males and females. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in RSImod between males and females while controlling for maximal strength and lower body explosiveness. Forty-three female and fifty-eight male Division-I athletes performed countermovement jumps on a force plate during unloaded (0kg) and loaded (20kg) conditions. We used an ANCOVA to test whether RSImod is different between sexes conditioning on relative maximum strength (PFa) and average RFD 0-200ms (RFD200) measured during the isometric midthigh pull (IMTP). Differences of 0.087 (95% CI: 0.040 - 0.134; p = 0.0005) and 0.075 (95% CI: 0.040 - 0.109, p < 0.0001) were observed for RSImod between sexes in unloaded and loaded conditions, respectively. A male with PFa of 186 (grand mean of the sample) and RFD200 of 6602 N/s (grand mean of the sample) is predicted to have 28% greater RSImod than a female of similar PFa and RFD200. Maximum strength development should be a primary aim of training in female athletes, in addition to other trainable factors, such as stiffness and RFD.

No description available.

No description available.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of isometric mid-thigh pulls to determine lower-limb asymmetrical strength differences in NCAA D-I athletes. Sixty-six subjects (40 males and 26 females) performed 2 maximal effort isometric pulls over two force plates sampling at 1000 Hz each. Peak force was scaled for body weight, and rate of force development was examined from 0-200ms. Results of the study show subjects' produced significantly greater scaled force with the left leg as compared to the right leg; however, no significant differences existed for rate of force development (RFD). Men exhibited significant differences between both scaled peak force and RFD, while women only showed significant differences in scaled peak force. Of the 66 subjects tested, 6 subjects (5 men and 1 woman) exhibited percent differences of 15% or greater asymmetry for scaled peak force. The results indicate that isometric mid-thigh pulls are a way to show the presence of asymmetries in D-I athletes.