Lawrence W. Judge

The Best Kept Secret in Sports The 2010 Youth Olympic Games

The International Olympic Committee seeks to reignite interest in Olympic sports in a generation of adolescents that are becoming increasingly overweight and inactive. International Olympic Committee president, Jacques Rogge, helped develop a plan for an Olympic Games for teenagers in 2010; the IOC general assembly approved the idea. But since its declaration on 6 July 2007 this new proposal has provoked loyal advocates and equally committed critics. This study examines the level of awareness of this event in the sporting community in the United States. This newly passed initiative will be examined for academic scrutiny from its very infancy, tracing and predicting impact and outcome from the perspective of athletes, coaches, parents and local and national sport officials in the United States.

An examination of the stretching practices of Division I and Division III college football programs in the midwestern United States.

Judge, LW, Craig, B, Baudendistal, S, and Bodey, KJ. An examination of the stretching practices of Division I and Division III college football programs in the midwestern United States. J Strength Cond Res 23(4): 1091-1096, 2009-Research supports the use of preactivity warm-up and stretching, and the purpose of this study was to determine whether college football programs follow these guidelines. Questionnaires designed to gather demographic, professional, and educational information, as well as specific pre- and postactivity practices, were distributed via e-mail to midwestern collegiate programs from NCAA Division I and III conferences. Twenty-three male coaches (12 from Division IA schools and 11 from Division III schools) participated in the study. Division I schools employed certified strength coaches (CSCS; 100%), whereas Division III schools used mainly strength coordinators (73%), with only 25% CSCS. All programs used preactivity warm-up, with the majority employing 2-5 minutes of sport-specific jogging/running drills. Pre stretching (5-10 minutes) was performed in 19 programs (91%), with 2 (9%) performing no pre stretching. Thirteen respondents used a combination of static/proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation/ballistic and dynamic flexibility, 5 used only dynamic flexibility, and 1 used only static stretching. All 12 Division I coaches used stretching, whereas only 9 of the 11 Division III coaches did (p = 0.22). The results indicate that younger coaches did not use pre stretching (p = 0.30). The majority of the coaches indicated that they did use post stretching, with 11 of the 12 Division I coaches using stretching, whereas only 5 of the 11 Division III coaches used stretching postactivity (p = 0.027). Divisional results show that the majority of Division I coaches use static-style stretching (p = 0.049). The results of this study indicate that divisional status, age, and certification may influence how well research guidelines are followed. Further research is needed to delineate how these factors affect coaching decisions.

Efficacy of Potentiation of Performance Through Overweight Implement Throws on Male and Female High-school Weight Throwers

Judge, LW, Bellar, D, and Judge, M. Efficacy of potentiation of performance through overweight implement throws on male and female high school weight throwers. J Strength Cond Res 24(7): 1804-1809, 2010-The purpose of the investigation was to determine the acute effects of heavy implements on weight throw performance. Ten high-school weight throwers were recruited to participate. A within-subjects design was used to compare the difference between mean and peak distances achieved with the regulation weight after warm-up with regulation weight (control), 1.37-kg overweight (OVRWGHT1) and 2.27-kg overweight implement (OVRWGHT2). Analysis via repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed main effects for Treatment (p = 0.021) and Attempt (p = 0.015). The mean after the OVRWGHT1 treatment was the highest (14.52 ± 3.54 m) followed by OVRWGHT2 (14.22 ± 3.15 m) and the competition weight implement (STAND; 13.38 ± 2.98). Paired samples t-test for peak distance by treatment revealed that both OVRWGHT1 (p = 0.004) and OVRWGHT2 (p = 0.027) were significantly different from STAND. Post hoc testing revealed that both OVRWGHT1 (p = 0.025) and OVRWGHT2 (p = 0.007) resulted in a significant difference in perceived fatigue compared with STAND. The results suggest that using overweight implements as part of the warm-up may improve performance in high-school athletes.

Conducting a Community-based Experiential-Learning Project to Address Youth Fitness

JOPERD • Volume 83 No. 6 • August 2012 T here is an ongoing need to foster community-based experientialand service-learning opportunities across physical education, recreation, dance, and sport. Service-learning is not a new phenomenon to these various disciplines. For example, it has been used in efforts to conduct a Girls and Women in Sports Day (Appleby & Pemberton, 2010), provide post-hurricane aid via sport and physical activity (Carson, 2008; Mumford & Kane, 2006), improve undergraduate adapted physical education (Bishop & Driver, 2007), improve physical education and health in high-need schools (Doolittle, Beale, & DeMarzo, 2009), provide programming for special-needs populations (Overton & Malinauskas, 2007), and evaluate recreation agencies (Riley, 2006). However, documentation of experientialand service-learning applications at the local level to address youth fitness has been lacking. The Chase Charlie Races are presented in this article as a model pedagogical strategy to provide a local intervention related to youth fitness and obesity, a need that runs across nearly all American communities. The Chase Charlie Races, operated through the Ball State University Sport Administration Club, are an annual community event in Muncie, Indiana, that promotes fitness and wellness in the face of growing unhealthy habits. Founded in 2000 as a way to increase football game attendance during family weekend, the event now includes three race components, each designed to engage the youths and their families at an appropriate skill and effort level, including a 5-kilometer run, walk, or roll for all ages; a 1-mile run for youths age 13 and under, called the “Mile Mania;” and the “Kiddie 100,” a 100-yard dash for young children. Participants received a free football ticket that was sponsored by the athletic department. Of equal importance, this event also includes an after-school training program for elementary school students. An examination of these events will provide a model for the replication of them in other communities in order to increase the grassroots efforts of providing meaningful events that can improve physical activity levels in our communities.

Periodization and physical therapy: Bridging the gap between training and rehabilitation *

BACKGROUND Exercise prescription and training progression for competitive athletes has evolved considerably in recent decades, as strength and conditioning coaches increasingly use periodization models to inform the development and implementation of training programs for their athletes. Similarly, exercise prescription and progression is a fundamental skill for sport physical therapists, and is necessary for balancing the physiological stresses of injury with an athletes capacity for recovery. OBJECTIVE This article will provide the sport physical therapist with an overview of periodization models and their application to rehabilitation. SUMMARY In recent decades models for exercise prescription and progression also have evolved in theory and scope, contributing to improved rehabilitation for countless athletes, when compared to care offered to athletes of previous generations. Nonetheless, despite such advances, such models typically fail to fully bridge the gap between such rehabilitation schemes and the corresponding training models that coaches use to help athletes peak for competition. Greater knowledge of periodization models can help sport physical therapists in their evaluation, clinical reasoning skills, exercise progression, and goal setting for the sustained return of athletes to high level competition.

Effects of low-dose caffeine supplementation on early morning performance in the standing shot put throw

Abstract The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the efficacy of low-dose caffeine use for early morning performance in the shot put event. A double-blind, randomized, crossover design was used to investigate the effects of buccal caffeine supplementation on early morning shot put execution in nine inter-collegiate track and field athletes. In one condition the participants received a piece of caffeinated gum designed to deliver 100 mg of caffeine in a buccal manner, and in a second condition a placebo gum. The gum was chewed for 5 min before being discarded. Participants then completed the first psychomotor vigilance task followed by a series of five warm-up throws, followed by six attempts with a shot put (7.26 kg for males, 4.0 kg for females) measured for distance. The protocol ended with a final psychomotor vigilance task. A repeated-measures analysis of variance (treatment*time) was used to compare performance between the caffeine and placebo treatments over the six measured attempts. A significant difference (treatment×throw) was observed (P=0.030, partial eta-squared = 0.259), indicating that the caffeine treatment produced better performance over the course of the six attempts subsequent to a warm-up. A paired samples t-test (Bonferroni-adjusted for multiple comparisons) revealed that the first attempt in the caffeine treatment (9.62±1.71 m) and in the placebo treatment (9.05±1.69 m) were significantly different (P = 0.050, effect size = 0.996, 95%CI 1.02 to 0.13 m). Repeated-measures analysis of covariance revealed a significant (P=0.016, partial eta-squared = 0.650) interaction effect (treatment×mean reaction time), whereby both at the pre and post time points the mean reaction time on the psychomotor vigilance task was reduced under the caffeine treatment (caffeine: pre 0.306±0.05 s, post 0.316±0.08 s; placebo: pre 0.317±0.06 s, post 0.323±0.06 s). Based on these results, we suggest that caffeine gum can be beneficial for both performance and alertness if used by shot put athletes during early morning sessions.

Validation and Reliability of a Novel Test of Upper Body Isometric Strength

Abstract The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the association of a novel test of upper body isometric strength against a 1RM bench press measurement. Forty college age adults (n = 20 female, n = 20 male; age 22.8 ± 2.8 years; body height 171.6 ± 10.8 cm; body mass 73.5 ± 16.3 kg; body fat 23.1 ± 5.4%) volunteered for the present investigation. The participants reported to the lab on three occasions. The first visit included anthropometric measurements and familiarization with both the upper body isometric test and bench press exercise. The final visits were conducted in a randomized order, with one being a 1RM assessment on the bench press and the other consisting of three trials of the upper body isometric assessment. For the isometric test, participants were positioned in a “push-up” style position while tethered (stainless steel chain) to a load cell (high frequency) anchored to the ground. The peak isometric force was consistent across all three trials (ICC = 0.98) suggesting good reliability. Multiple regression analysis was completed with the predictors: peak isometric force, gender, against the outcome variable 1RM bench press. The analysis resulted in a significant model (r2 = 0.861, p≤0.001) with all predictor variables attaining significance in the model (p<0.05). Isometric peak strength had the greatest effect on the model (Beta = 5.19, p≤0.001). Results from this study suggest that the described isometric upper body strength assessment is likely a valid and reliable tool to determine strength. Further research is warranted to gather a larger pool of data in regard to this assessment.

The relationship of aerobic capacity, anaerobic peak power and experience to performance in CrossFit exercise

CrossFit is becoming increasingly popular as a method to increase fitness and as a competitive sport in both the Unites States and Europe. However, little research on this mode of exercise has been performed to date. The purpose of the present investigation involving experienced CrossFit athletes and naïve healthy young men was to investigate the relationship of aerobic capacity and anaerobic power to performance in two representative CrossFit workouts: the first workout was 12 minutes in duration, and the second was based on the total time to complete the prescribed exercise. The participants were 32 healthy adult males, who were either naïve to CrossFit exercise or had competed in CrossFit competitions. Linear regression was undertaken to predict performance on the first workout (time) with age, group (naïve or CrossFit athlete), VO2max and anaerobic power, which were all significant predictors (p < 0.05) in the model. The second workout (repetitions), when examined similarly using regression, only resulted in CrossFit experience as a significant predictor (p < 0.05). The results of the study suggest that a history of participation in CrossFit competition is a key component of performance in CrossFit workouts which are representative of those performed in CrossFit, and that, in at least one these workouts, aerobic capacity and anaerobic power are associated with success.

Exercise and academic performance among nursing and kinesiology students at US colleges

Context: Lack of physical activity is a contributor to the obesity epidemic and is speculated to relate to reduced academic performance; however, this link has yet to be examined within the college population. Aims: The purpose of this study in a group of undergraduate students, was to determine if aerobic exercise activity was related to academic performance. Materials and Methods: The participants for this study included 740 students at multiple universities enrolled in nursing and kinesiology studies. The participants completed the Leisure and Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: Pearsons χ2 analysis revealed differences in grade point average with aerobic activity (χ2 = 44.29, P ≤ 0.001) as well as a trend toward differences in grade point average with weightlifting activity (χ2 = 22.69, P = 0.61). Conclusions: Based on these findings it can be suggested that college students engage in greater aerobic exercise.

An examination of preactivity and postactivity flexibility practices of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I tennis coaches.

Judge, LW, Bellar, D, Craig, B, Petersen, J, Camerota, J, Wanless, E, and Bodey, K. An examination of preactivity and postactivity flexibility practices of National Collegiate Athletic Association division I tennis coaches. J Strength Cond Res 26(1): 184–191, 2012—The purpose of this study was to determine if National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I mens tennis programs are in compliance with suggested current preactivity and postactivity stretching protocols. Questionnaires were sent to NCAA Division I mens tennis programs in the USA. Seventy-six coaches (73 men and 3 women) participated in the study. The results of the Chi-Square analysis suggest that the number of years of head coaching experience had a significant relationship with the preactivity stretching routines employed by coaches (p = 0.029). A significant difference was found between preactivity stretching routines and the key sources of influence for the foundation of knowledge regarding preactivity stretching (p = 0.012). Some results indicate that many tennis coaches do not use current suggested practices for preactivity stretching. The results of this study indicate that certification may influence how well research guidelines are followed. Further research is needed to delineate how these factors affect coaching decisions.