Positive Impulse Phase versus Propulsive Impulse Phase: Correlations between Asymmetry and Countermovement Jump Performance.

The relationship between asymmetry and performance is still undetermined in the literature. Methods of assessing asymmetry have been inconsistent and focused on the analysis of jumping asymmetry. Dual ground reaction forces are prevalent in athlete monitoring, though underutilized in asymmetry research.

Contextual Variation in External and Internal Workloads across the Competitive Season of a Collegiate Women's Soccer Team.

As sports technology has continued to develop, monitoring athlete workloads, performance, and recovery has demonstrated boundless benefits for athlete and team success. Specifically, technologies such as global positioning systems (GPS) and heart rate (HR) monitors have granted the opportunity to delve deeper into performance contributors, and how variations may exist based upon context. A team of NCAA Division I women's soccer athletes were monitored during games throughout one competitive season.

Comparisons of Countermovement Jump Force-Time Characteristics Among National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I American Football Athletes: Use of Principal Component Analysis.

Merrigan, JJ, Rentz, LE, Hornsby, WG, Wagle, JP, Stone, JD, Smith, HT, Galster, SM, Joseph, M, and Hagen, JA. Comparisons of countermovement jump force-time characteristics among NCAA Division I American football athletes: use of principal component analysis. J Strength Cond Res 36(2): 411-419, 2022-This study aimed to reduce the dimensionality of countermovement jump (CMJ) force-time characteristics and evaluate differences among positional groups (skills, hybrid, linemen, and specialists) within National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) division I American football.

Performance Comparisons of Youth Weightlifters as a Function of Age Group and Sex.

This study was designed to provide an overview of weightlifting performance as a function of age group and sex and evaluate the potential of countermovement jump height (CMJH) as a tool to gauge performance potential. Data from 130 youth athletes (female, = 65 & male, = 65) were used to examine progression of performance (Total and Sinclair total) and the relationship between CMJH and Sinclair total while considering interactions between CMJH and age and/or sex. ANOVAs with post hoc analyses revealed that both totals had a statistical first-order polynomial interaction effect between age group and sex and the difference between age groups of 12-13 and 14-15 years old was statistically greater for male than female.

Troubleshooting a Nonresponder: Guidance for the Strength and Conditioning Coach.

Ideally an athlete would continue to improve performance indefinitely over time, however improvement slows as the athlete approaches their genetic limits. Measuring performance is complex-performance may be temporarily depressed following aggressive training for multiple reasons, physiological and psychosocial. This reality may be vexing to the strength and conditioning coach, who, as a service provider, must answer to sport coaches about an athlete's progress.

Periodization and Block Periodization in Sports: Emphasis on Strength-Power Training-A Provocative and Challenging Narrative.

Stone, MH, Hornsby, WG, Haff, GG, Fry, AC, Suarez, DG, Liu, J, Gonzalez-Rave, JM, and Pierce, KC. Periodization and block periodization in sports: emphasis on strength-power training-a provocative and challenging narrative. J Strength Cond Res 35(8): 2351-2371, 2021-Periodization can be defined as a logical sequential, phasic method of manipulating fitness and recovery phases to increase the potential for achieving specific performance goals while minimizing the potential for nonfunctional over-reaching, overtraining, and injury.

Phase-Specific Changes in Rate of Force Development and Muscle Morphology Throughout a Block Periodized Training Cycle in Weightlifters.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinetic and morphological adaptations that occur during distinct phases of a block periodized training cycle in weightlifters. Athlete monitoring data from nine experienced collegiate weightlifters was used. Isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and ultrasonography (US) results were compared to examine the effects of three specific phases of a training cycle leading up to a competition.