Alan P. Jung’s research while affiliated with Samford University and other places

Aim. The aim of the study was to determine if training on the Nintendo® Wii Fit™ balance board could improve static balance in college-aged females. Methods. Participants were excluded if they were collegiate athletes, dancers, or taking a yoga class. They were also excused if they were currently being treated for an injury to the hip, knee, ankle, or a concussion. Thirty-eight females were tested using the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), and the participants with the worst balance scores (N.=24) were randomly placed into one of two groups: a control group (N.=12) or a training group (N.=12). The training group played Wii Fit™ balance games using a balance board twice a week for three weeks. The control group was asked to continue with their normal activities and could not begin yoga or dance classes. Both groups were re-tested using the BESS after three weeks. Results. There was a significant decrease in BESS scores (P<0.001) between the pre-test (29.3±7.6) and post-test (16.1±5.0) scores of the Wii group. However, there was no significant difference between the pre-test (25.1±5.4) and post-test (22.5±8.6) scores in the control group (P>0.05). While the pre-test scores on the BESS were not significant between groups (P>0.05), the post-test scores between groups were significantly different (P=0.036). Conclusion. These results suggest that balance can be improved in healthy college-aged females in as little as three weeks.

The purpose of this study was to assess neural activity for upper body musculature in college-age men during repetitions of a conventional pushup or a Perfect PushupTM. Eighteen healthy men (21.6±1 yr, 182.5±7 cm, 87.4±15 kg) completed five repetitions of a conventional pushup and Perfect PushupTM while using a wide hand base of support for the upper body. Body position, hand placement, and cadence of the pushup were standardized. Root mean square electromyography (RMS-EMG, mV/Sec) was collected for the triceps brachii (TB), pectoralis major (PM), serratus anterior (SA), and posterior deltoid (PD) during all repetitions. RMS-EMG values were normalized to a maximal voluntary isometric contraction in the pushup position (%MVICPU). For each muscle, %MVICPU for repetitions 1, 3, and 5 were analyzed for differences due to type of push-up. No differences in %MVICPU due to type ofpush-up for the TB (p=0.079) or the SA (p=0.45) were detected. The Perfect PushupTM increased %MVICPU compared to the conventional pushup (44%, p<0.05). Additionally, the Perfect PushupTM increased %MVICPU by the third repetition (p<0.05) while the conventional pushup did not until the 5th repetition. The conventional pushup activated more PD (76%, p<0.05). The type of push-up that requires the greatest neural activity for a given number of repetitions should result in improved adaptations. The Perfect PushupTM was superior for activating the pectoralis major while individuals would elicit more neural activation in the posterior deltoid by conventional push-ups. Trainers and rehabilitation specialists should consider these data when attempting to train or isolate upper body skeletal muscles using a push-up movement.

The purpose of this research was to compare the effectiveness of two different post-exercise recovery methods, active and passive, on the heart rate (HR), peak power (PP), average power (AP) and time to Baseline Active Heart Rate (BAHR) following three short (10 s) bicycle sprints. Fourteen males (mean age: 21.0±0.7 yrs) participated in the study. Each participant performed two separate trials that included three maximal Wingate rides of 10 s each. In one trial each ride was followed by a two-minute supine recovery. In the second trial each ride was followed by a two-minute active recovery that involved walking on a treadmill at 1.5 mph with a 2.5% grade. Heart rate was recorded every 20 s during the recovery periods, and PP and AP were obtained during the cycle rides. Time to recovery was recorded following the third (and final) ride in each trial to determine the time required to return to a pre-determined recovery heart rate. This HR value was determined in a pre-test by recording the HR of each participant while walking on a treadmill at 1.5 mph with a 2.5% grade. Results showed supine recovery resulted in significantly lower HR at each 20-s interval and overall (p<0.01). Additionally, supine recovery resulted in a significantly shorter time to BAHR (10.8±9.0 min) compared to the active recovery (30.5±18.2 min; p<0.001). There was no difference in PP or AP for any rides between the two recovery modes (p>0.05). Heart rate and time to BAHR were significantly lower following supine recovery compared to active recovery; however, this decreased HR did not have an effect on peak or average power.

Visual impairment has been shown to reduce muscle power when compared to sighted individuals. The purpose of this study was to assess whether loss of visual input affects lower limb muscle power production in sighted men and women who are resistance trained and untrained. Twenty-seven college-age participants (19-23 yrs) performed a seated double leg press with and without visual input (due to blindfold) in two separate counterbalanced trials. Lower limb concentric power was calculated by measuring the distance and time a leg press footplate was displaced while lifting 60% of 1RM as quickly as possible. Loss of visual input reduced power output by 22.8 watts (-6.4%) in all participants (p<.01). When resistance training status was taken into account, resistance trained participants (n=12, trained >2 x's per week) did not lose power output (4.4 watts, -1.1%, p=.90) while untrained men and women (n=15) had significantly less power when visual input was removed via blindfold (37.6 watts, -11.7%, p<.01). Untrained women experienced the greatest decrease in power when blindfolded (39 watts, -15.9%, p<.01). Muscle power decreases in the absence of vision, but a regular strength training program attenuates this occurrence in young men and women. In practical application, strength training interventions may be successful protects individuals from losses in muscle power when visual input is removed.

The objective was to determine the effect of gender on the ability to accurately estimate one's own body fat percentage. Fifty-five college-age males and 99 college-age females participated. Participants estimated their own body fat percent before having their body composition measured using a BOD POD. Participants also completed a modified Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS). Estimated body fat was significantly lower compared to measured body fat percent in females (26.8±5.6% vs. 30.2±7.0%, p<0.001) but not in males (16.8±6.8% vs. 18.1±8.3%, p=0.09). The mean difference between estimated and measured body fat was significantly higher for females compared to males (p<0.001). There was a moderate, significant correlation found between measured body fat percent and SPAS score for males (r=0.331, p=0.014) and females (r=.427, p<0.001). Males estimated their body fat percent more accurately than females. Despite these findings, 62% of males and 76% of females underestimated their body fat.

Purpose: To determine if the presence of observers affects muscular strength performance in college-age males and females. Methods: Twenty-five women and 24 men participated in the study. Two counter-balanced trials were performed in which participants completed 1-RM tests in bench press and leg press. During one trial, two members of the opposite gender observed the 1-RM tests. During the other trial there were no observers, other than the tester. Results: 1-RM for females increased 3.4±0.8 lbs on bench press (p<.001) and increased 9.2±3.8 lbs on leg press (p=.025) when observers were present. 1-RM for males increased 4.2±1.1 lbs on bench press (p=.001) and increased 18.8±5.2 lbs on leg press (p=.002) with observers present. There was no difference in the percent increase in 1-RM between males and females for either leg press (p=.71) or bench press (p=.08). Conclusion: College-age males and females lifted more weight during a 1-RM test when observers were present.

Background: Screening for sickle cell trait (SCT) in athletes has been recommended by several professional organizations; however, it is not known how many colleges and universities have implemented such screening in athletes. Aims: This study examines factors related to policies and procedures of SCT screening at colleges and universities, including all divisions of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) programs. Methods: A total of 375 head athletic trainers or directors of sports medicine from NCAA and NAIA schools responded to an online survey. Results: 21.8% of the respondent institutions screened all of their athletes for SCT, with Division I institutions having the highest rate of screening at 44.6%. A total of 30.1% of the respondent institutions indicated that they screened some of their athletes, with 66.9% of Division I institutions having the highest incidence. Over 26% of respondent institutions did not know if any of their athletes had SCT. Overall, 57% of the institutions counsel athletes about complications of SCT, and 40% of the institutions modify workouts for the athletes. Division I institutions had the highest incidences, with 87.7% providing counseling and 66.1% modifying workouts. The most common criteria for screening are race/ethnicity and family history of SCT. When asked to provide reasons for not screening all athletes, 71.6% of all respondent institutions indicated cost was the primary reason. Conclusion: Screening for SCT remains a relatively uncommon practice in colleges and universities, particularly in NCAA Divisions II and III, and NAIA institutions. From the institutions' perspective, the cost of testing is overwhelmingly the primary reason for not screening all athletes for SCT.