Browsing by Author "Casey, Jason C."

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    Electromyographical Comparison of a Traditional, Suspension Device, and Towel Pull-Up
    (De Gruyter, 2017) Snarr, Ronald L.; Hallmark, Ashleigh V.; Casey, Jason C.; Esco, Michael R.; Georgia Southern University; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    Strengthening muscles of the back may have various implications for improving functions of daily living, aiding in the transfer of power in throwing, and assist in injury prevention of the shoulder complex. While several versions of the pull-up exist, there is currently no literature comparing their differences. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the electromyographical activity of the latissimus dorsi, posterior deltoid, middle trapezius, and biceps brachii while performing three variations of the pull-up. Resistance-trained men and women (n = 15, age = 24.87 +/- 6.52 years) participated in this study by performing traditional pull-ups, suspension device pull-ups, and towel pull-ups in a randomized fashion. Each pull-up was performed for three repetitions with a 1.5 biacromial grip-width for each participant. Normalized (%MVC) electromyographical values were recorded for each muscle group during each pull-up variation. No significant differences existed within the latissimus dorsi, biceps brachii or posterior deltoid between any of the exercises. For the middle trapezius, towel pull-ups provided significantly lower muscle activity than the traditional pull-up, while no differences between suspension pull-ups and the other variations occurred. In conclusion, only one muscular difference existed between the exercise variations and all versions examined provided electromyographical values, determined by current literature, to invoke a sufficient stimulus to promote increases in muscle strength and hypertrophy. Although further research is needed, practitioners can be confident when programming any of the movement variations examined when attempting to elicit adaptations of muscular strength and hypertrophy.
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    Recovery following an extreme conditioning program workout: influence of time, electrostimulation, and dietary supplementation
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2016) Casey, Jason C.; Bishop, Phillip A.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    Essential to training is optimal recovery. Insufficient recovery may lead to decrement in physiological and psychological status, resulting in decreased performance and potentially overtraining. Thus, investigating an appropriate time course of recovery and recovery enhancement methods are of value. Extreme Conditioning Programs (ECP) are metabolically and physically demanding forms of training that incorporate regular variation in exercises, high intensity, and high volume with minimal prescribed rest. There is currently no research evaluating recovery following an ECP workout. Three studies were conducted to evaluate recovery duration and enhancement methods following an ECP workout. In the first study, 24-hour (R24) and 48-hour (R48) recovery were evaluated in nine trained males following an ECP workout by assessment of a pre-workout performance battery (PRI) and a post-recovery PRI. The PRI consisted of a sit-and-reach test, shoulder reach flexibility test, countermovement jump (CMJ), bench press bar velocity and power, seated medicine ball toss, 1-minute push-up test, 250 m rowing ergometer test, and perceptual markers. Additionally, a composite recovery score (z-score of six PRI metrics) was developed for each study. The second study evaluated 30 minutes of upper-body low-frequency electrical stimulation (LFES), trained males (n = 9), as a strategy to enhance recovery following an ECP workout by assessment of a pre-workout PRI and PRI 24-hours post workout. In a similar design, study three evaluated the combination of branch chain amino acids (BCAA) and beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) as a recovery strategy in ten trained males following an ECP workout. A placebo of sugar-free candy was used as a control in studies 2 and 3. Findings from study one indicated a significant decrement of the composite recovery score, performance of the CMJ, and bar velocity as well as increased perception of muscle pain at R24. However, only perception of muscle pain was altered at R48. Thus, R48 was a sufficient recovery duration and allowed restoration of performance following the ECP workout. Studies two and three had similar results, the recovery strategies did not attenuate the decrement in performance and alterations of perception associated with the ECP workout. Future research should explore recovery following differing ECP durations and modalities.