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    Kinematic, Neuromuscular, and Performance Changes due to Overspeed Training for Ice Hockey
    (North Dakota State University, 2013) Faught, Phillip Michael
    Athletes, coaches, and strength and conditioning practitioners are constantly searching for new and improved speed training methods give themselves or their athletes an edge over their competition. Overspeed training is not a new technique of speed training; however changes and developments over the past decade have created many new methods to train at supramaximal speed. Choosing the appropriate method or methods of overspeed training is important for the training to have the desired performance improvements. High speed running and skating treadmills, tow-assisted running and skating, as well as downhill running are some of the most common methods of overspeed training. Overspeed training has been shown to improve running and skating kinematics resulting in increases in overall speed. Evaluating the benefits and negative effects of specific overspeed methods is important when selecting which methods to apply.
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    Short-term Training Effects of Dynamic Warm Up Volume on Speed, Power, and Agility
    (North Dakota State University, 2011) Senn, Daniel LeRoy
    This study examined the short-term training effects of two volumes of a dynamic warm up performed 4 days per week over a 3 1/2-week period. A total of 25 Division III wrestlers volunteered for the study. Three participants either dropped out or were unable to attend post-testing, resulting in 22 total participants completing the study. Groups were divided into control, low volume, and high volume groups. All participants completed pre and poststudy performance tests including the standing long jump, proagility, start-stop-cut, and 30- meter sprint. The low and high volume training groups each performed the same dynamic warm up prior to each pre-season captain's practice. The control group did not participate in an organized warm up. The low volume group performed one set of each warm up exercise, and the high volume group performing two sets of each warm up exercise. Data analysis indicated significant increases in performance for the standing long jump (p = .011) and start-stop-cut (p = .000) measures among the entire sample population. However, there was no significant difference between the groups in these measures. No significant results were found either for the sample as a whole or between groups for the proagility and 30-meter measures. The increased performance of all groups, including the control group, fails to provide evidence for the effectiveness of training with either warm up volume. Further research is needed to address limitations of this study to determine effectiveness of various warm up volumes.
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    Static Stretching versus Dynamic Stretching in Athletics
    (North Dakota State University, 2010) Dale, Dewayne Nathaniel
    Athletes in a variety of sports will perform a stretching routine before each workout or competition. This is why coaches, strength and conditioning specialists, and athletic trainers are always in search of new ways to increase performance and reduce injuries. As there are different types of flexibility, there are a variety of types of stretching techniques, and all have their purpose in the athletic world. Static stretching has been the traditional way of physically preparing the body prior to exercise, and recent research is bending toward another stretching technique, dynamic stretching. Static stretching is an easy to learn technique that increases static flexibility, relaxes muscles, and realigns muscle fibers, but it may not be the best way to "warm" the body up before a workout or competition. Performing a dynamic stretching routine can provide athletes with opportunities to perform sports specific movements and to increase blood flow and temperature, which is a true way to "warm" up the body beforehand. These two different techniques can be utilized effectively within an athlete's workout regimen. However, the differences in the athletes, gender, and the type and level of the sport are important factors to consider in the evaluation of the two stretching techniques. By understanding these main areas, it will be easier to develop a well-designed warm-up prior to a competition.