Tedd Keating

Training physical education students to self-regulate during basketball free throw practice

The additive effects of self-regulation training in forethought, performance, and self-reflection phase processes on acquiring a novel motoric skill (i.e., basketball free throws) and self-reflective beliefs were studied with 50 college students. The results showed a positive linear trend between the number of self-regulatory phases, in which the participants were trained, and their free throw shooting performance and shooting adaptation. The two- and three-phase training groups displayed significantly more accurate free throws and were able to self-correct their shooting form more frequently following missed shots than all other groups. Participants who received three-phase training displayed the most adaptive motivational profile, characterized by making strategic attributions and adaptive inferences and by using self/process criteria during self-evaluations.

Is the Valsalva Maneuver a Proper Breathing Technique

THE VALSALVA MANEUVER (VM), or the act of exhaling against a closed glottis, is the natural response to static or heavy lifting tasks. Although it is true that the VM results in a pronounced systolic blood pressure response (SBP), there are several potential advantages to a brief breath-hold during resistive exercise. Some are performance-related; still others address the very safety concerns of those who contraindicate the VM. The fear of damage to the cardiovascular system has led most trainers and therapists to urge against any breath holding during resisted exercise. In light of recent evidence, however, this may be largely unjustified. Concurrent with the increase in SBP, the VM causes increased intrathoracic pressure (ITP), intracranial pressure (ICP), and intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). A recent study by Haykowsky et al. (1) revealed that cerebral arterial stress is substantially lower when resistance exercise is performed with a VM, rather than without. This was due to the SBP increase being accompanied by the increased ICP, the latter, in effect, canceling out the effects of the former. A similar finding was revealed for left ventricular wall stress (2). Taken together, these findings seem to reveal a paradoxical cardioprotective effect during resistance training. The VM may also offer an orthopedic benefit. Intra-abdominal pressure is also increased with breath holding, especially when combined with abdominal and intercostal contractions. This is important during lifting tasks such as the squat or Romanian deadlifts, which result in compression of the intervertebral discs. Much like a weight belt, the VM results in a healthy decompression, which may help prevent lumbar injury. From a performance standpoint, the increased IAP and ITP may together serve to stabilize and strengthen efforts of musculature attached to the trunk. Additionally, the VM is a practical necessity in movements such as the front squat, push press, and squat clean, wherein the bar is supported on the front deltoids and clavicles. Exhaling too early during these movements can cause the lifter to either lose the bar or expend far too much lumbar effort in an attempt to save the lift. Finally, the VM is a near impossibility to avoid in efforts exceeding 80% maximum ventilatory capacity. These considerations combined create a strong argument for allowing at least a brief VM during resistance training movements. ▲

Re-evaluation of a possible proximity effect on muscular strength.

Inconsistent findings of a proximity effect of sucrose on muscular strength and a potential interaction of nutritional status prompted the current study. Double-blind, counterbalanced assessments of grip strength were performed with and without 76 subjects holding a container of sucrose. No main effect was found for proximity of glucose, and no interaction was found for prandial status.

Evaluation of a possible proximity effect of aspartame and vitamin C on muscular strength.

Inconsistent findings of a proximity effect on muscular strength, using a neutral control substance, prompted the current study. Double-blind, counterbalanced assessments of grip strength were performed, with subjects holding either an envelope of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) or aspartame. No proximity effects were found despite the use of two substances believed by some applied kinesiologists to yield positive and negative results, respectively.