3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Physiological differences in performance - matched male and female athletes.(1995-03-27) Speechly, David P.Our study comprised of a two fold investigation into i. the comparing of physiological function in a performance-matched (running 42.2km) group of females (n=10) and males (n=10), and ii. the analysis of the performance changes over four different distances. The female group ran an average of 3:36 ± 0:42 hours, and the male group an average of 3:39 ± 0:47 hours for a standard marathon. After matching the two groups we measured physical characteristics, maximal aerobic capacity (V02max), fitness level (lactate accumulation), energy cost of running (running economy), and muscle function (isokinetic dynamometry). The female group had a significantly lower (P<0.05) relative V02max (48.3 ± 2.8mlQ2• min'1 • kg"1 vs 51.3 ± 3.3ml02*min'1-kg'1) , lower absolute peak muscle torque for quadriceps at all angular velocities investigated (60-; 180-; and 240°-sec'1), but only at 240° • sec'1 for the hamstrings (29.0 ± 15.1Nm vs 46.6 ± 15.3Nm). However, females had lower (P<0.05) relative peak torques (expressed relative to the lean thigh volume) than males only for the quadriceps group of muscles at 180°-sec'1 (12.19 ± 4.75Nm-2'1 vs 18.87 ± 7.01Nm*l"1) The females had a greater (P<0.05) percentage body fat than the males (22.0 ± 3.2% vs 16.1 ± 3.0%).Item Is iliotibial band friction syndrome a risk factor for buttock and/or posterior thigh pain in comrades runners?(2001) Fuller-Good, Susan, LynLong distance running is characterised by a high injury rate (van Mechelen, 1995; Lysholm and Wiklander, 1987). It is an ever-growing sport, being tried by increasing numbers of people with varying degrees of athletic ability. Injuries are detrimental to training, increase the risk of sustaining another injury, and are expensive to treat placing demands on our already strained health care system. Runners are healthy people who would require less health care than most people if they could avoid injuries. Iliotibial band friction syndrome (ITBFS), is one of the most common running injuries experienced. Buttock and/or posterior thigh pain (BAOPTP) is another common condition, which is also resistant to treatment. It tends to become chronic and to result in ongoing morbidity.Item The cross-training effect between swimming and running(1997) Mandilas., G.This investigation examined the cross- training effect of swim training on middle distance running performance. Eight, healthy, untrained subjects (mean age + SD = 24.63 + 2.77 yrs) participated in a 12 week. swim training program. Before and immediately following the training period, measurements were made of: maximal oxygen consumption (V03 max.) (treadmill); anaerobic capacity (Wingate test); knee and shoulder muscle strength (isokinetic dynamometer); 100m and 200m swim time- trials; and 400m and 800m run time-trials. VO- max. increased from a mean of 42.06 + 5.1 ml/kg/min. to 45.39 + 5.05 ml/kg/min. (8.137. ; p< 0.005). The 100m, 200m swim times and the 400m, 800m run times improved significantly in response to the swimming training (p< 0.0001). Dynamometry showed significant inc reases in power and work during knee flexion at an angular velocity of 60 °/sec; knee extension at 245 °/sec; and during shoulder f1 ex ion and extension at 195 and 245 °/sec. The Wingate test however, did not show any changes after the training period. A cross-training effect by swim training on running performance was attained among the untrained, non- competitive swimmers of this study. While mode of activity was non- specific, a training response was attained by keeping the intensity and volume of the swim training specific to middle distance run training.