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Item Can backward sled towing potentiate five metre sprint performance? : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Sport and Exercise at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand(Massey University, 2019) Monaghan, Daniel JohnPost-activation potentiation (PAP) describes an augmentation within muscle properties, with the ability to enhance muscular performance. Due to the complexity of this highly individualised phenomenon, PAP has the greatest effect in well-trained populations. Back squat, sled towing, and sled pushing protocols have shown to acutely improve 20 m sprint performance. Potentiating activities that reflect the specific movement profiles of the performance activity are proposed as most effective, suggesting a possible relationship between muscle specific potentiation and augmented sprint performance. Therefore, the use of a quadriceps dominant sprint related exercise (i.e., backward sled towing) may acutely enhance sprint performance. The objectives of this study were to determine whether backward sled towing can elicit a PAP response to enhance 5 m sprint performance, and to determine if sled loading via a reduction in velocity can elicit an improvement in 5 m sprint performance. A randomised design was used to examine the effects of forward and backward sled tow loading of 35% and 55% reduction of individual’s maximal velocity (rVelmean) on 5 m sprint performance. Eighteen participants performed one familiarisation session, followed by four intervention sessions (55% rVelmean backward; 55% rVelmean forward; 35% rVelmean backward; 35% rVelmean forward) separated by a minimum of 24-hours. Intervention sessions included baseline un-resisted 5 m sprints, and the collection of maximum voluntary contractions of lower limb musculature via surface electromyography (EMG), followed by three loaded sled tows over a distance of 3.2 m or 5 m for heavy and light loads, respectively. An un-resisted 5 m sprint was then completed following 6 and 12 min rest. Mean sprint velocity, EMG, and sprint kinematic and temporal data were collected during each session. EMG was used to determine if a potentiated effect was due to changes in neural excitation. Sled towing, irrespective of load or rest period, produced no significant change in 5 m sprint velocity (p > 0.05). Significant difference was found between both 35% and 55% backwards calculated velocity reduction and actual velocities during towing (p < 0.01). There was no significant change in EMG across sessions. Kinetic and temporal data suggested no significant changes in baseline measures; however, current findings highlight the importance of vertical force production during sprint acceleration. Sled towing to potentiate sprint performance using a reduction of velocity requires further investigation. The author acknowledges that greater time under tension during conditioning activities may result in greater sprint related potentiation. However, further research is required to assess the legitimacy of this speculation.Item A comparison between a traditionally periodised programme and a load autoregulated periodised programme for maximal strength gain in the squat, bench press, and deadlift in weight-trained males : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Science at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand(Massey University, 2016) Fraser, JeremyBackground: Training towards the goal of improving maximal strength is commonly undertaken; particularly by athletes involved in contact sports, powerlifters, and recreational body builders. Multiple methods of programming exist, with autoregulated (AR) training being a popular topic within the training community. AR training involves day to day fluctuations in volume and/or intensity in order to accommodate the athlete’s performance on a given day. This could potentially allow for greater gains in strength due to fine tuning of the fatigue-fitness interaction. However, scant research exists on AR training, with the vast majority being carried out on individuals during rehabilitation therapy. Aim: To examine whether a load-autoregulated strength training programme is more effective in improving maximal strength in the squat, bench press, and dead lift than a traditionally periodised program, in experienced weight-trained individuals. Methods: Eight healthy, recreationally trained males agreed to participate and completed this study. Each participant completed a traditionally (TD) programme and an AR programme in a randomised, cross-over design with a 2-week wash out period between. Each programme involved baseline one-repetition-maximum testing (1RM) in the barbell squat, bench press, and deadlift followed by eight weeks of training with subsequent 1RM testing. Following warm up, participants completed one set of as many repetitions as possible (AMRAP) at 85% of baseline 1RM, followed by subsequent working sets. 1RM Prediction equations were utilised in the AR training group to dictate load used in the working sets; whereas the TD groups subsequent sets were based on baseline 1RM. Results: The squat, deadlift, and total improved significantly within each programme (all p<0.05), however no differences between programmes were present (all p>0.05). Bench press strength improvement was significantly greater in the TD programme (time x programme interaction p<0.05). Conclusions: The present study found no differences in effectiveness of programmes at producing strength gain in the squat, deadlift, or total weight lifted. However the TD programme resulted in a greater improvement in bench press strength compared to AR. Future research would also involve auto-regulated volume, as well as ensuring matched cross over design, and ideally a use of more trained participants.