Search

Coaching female athletes is as rewarding as it is challenging. These athletes are usually more coachable, intelligent, and mature than males at similar ages. However, they are different in many ways from their male counterparts. For example, Drohnick (2012) and Merchant (2012) have emphasized women's communication styles as seeking feelings more than solutions; conversations are often an end in themselves where expressing emotions is more important than seeking solutions. Conversely, most males, having thought out issues in advance, communicate with a purpose. When males do listen, they do so actively assuming there is a problem to be solved and they are being asked to resolve it quickly. Generally, females communicate to share and create a sense of community or relationship with someone who understands her issues. That relationship reduces anxiety and prepares her to handle the stress of her environment. The data in this report was collected over a period of 12 years on convenience samples of undergraduate female students enrolled in an introduction to coaching class at a university in the Northern Rocky Mountains. Every semester, as part of in-class assignments, students were asked to prioritize 10 characteristics of coaches in a forced ranking process. Their results were later combined with their demographic data (years of competition, the sports they played and the highest level) to stimulate in-class discussions concerning the group's competitive nature and their rankings of coaching behavior. This is a presentation of information specifically related to the female student-athletes' rankings of coaching behavior over a period of years with practical implications for coaches to develop positive coach/player relationships, improve player motivation, satisfaction, and performance., Literature Review The coach/athlete relationship is one of the most important components in sport (Jowett, 2003). That dyad is foundational not only to the athletic atmosphere that binds individuals into [...]

Examination of the relationship between performance testing and psychological measures before and after a 12-week strength and conditioning program was the study's purpose. Female NCAA Division-III soccer (n = 28), field hockey (n = 28), and softball (n = 19) athletes completed pre- and post-testing held 12 weeks apart. On day 1, athletes completed informed consent, 3 psychological measures (Profile of Mood States [POMS], Physical Self Perception Profile [PSPP], and Athlete's Self Perception of Physical Abilities [ASPPA]), and 2 strength tests (1 repetition maximum [1RM] bench, 1RM back squat). Day 2 consisted of the 30-yd sprint, pro agility run (PRO), vertical jump (VJ), and standing long jump (SLJ). All sports improved (p < 0.01) in 1RM bench and squat and reported increases in perceived Physical Strength on the PSPP (p < 0.01). Soccer athletes improved (p < 0.01) in VJ, SLJ, and PRO (p < 0.05). No differences were found in POMS scores. The POMS scores indicated that the athletes were not over-trained or experiencing staleness. A series of correlations showed relationships between physical and psychological measures. Specifically, Physical Strength was correlated with 1RM upper-body (r = 0.49, p < 0.01) and lower-body (r = 0.42, p < 0.01) strength. The PSPP Physical Strength was correlated with ASPPA ratings of upper-body (r = 0.68, p < 0.01) and lower-body (r= 0.57, p < 0.01) strength. The PSPP Sport Competence correlated with ASPPA ratings of power (r = 0.45, p < 0.01) and PRO (r = 0.38, p < 0.05). The study's results highlight the benefits of strength and conditioning. Furthermore, these results demonstrate how physical changes are related to athletes' physical self-perceptions and self-assessment of ability within their teams. KEY WORDS agility, 1 repetition maximum testing, power, self-perception, speed, women

J Strength Cond Res 24(1): 1-7, 2010--This study evaluated the effectiveness of a periodized plyometric training program and the impact of the duration of the post-training recovery period on countermovement jump performance. Fourteen women subjects participated in a 6-week periodized plyometric training program. Ten women subjects served as non-training controls. All subjects' countermovement jump height, peak power, and body mass were assessed before and 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 days after training. Kinetic data were obtained via a force platform using the average of 3 repetitions of the countermovement jump for each testing session. Jump height was 25.0% greater (p [less than or equal to] 0.05) after training with no difference (p > 0.05) between recovery periods of 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 days, for the training group. Peak power was 11.6-14.3% (p [less than or equal to] 0.001) greater after training for the training group with no difference (p > 0.05) between recovery periods of 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 days. Analysis revealed no significant difference (p > 0.06) for jump height or peak power from pre- to posttest for the control group. Practitioners should prescribe periodized plyometric programs with decreasing volume and increasing intensity to improve jump performance without a need for a post-training recovery period. KEY WORDS jumping, strength-shortening cycle, taper, rest, fatigue

This study examined the effects of functional balance training implemented in addition to regular season practice, competition, and strength and conditioning training for collegiate women athletes. Twenty-six members of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I collegiate women's volleyball and soccer teams volunteered. A pre-test, post-test group design was used for the study. Pre- and posttest measures were the following: Skindex, body mass index (BMI), single-leg squat, prone quadra-ped core test, Biodex balance test, and a 1-minute sit-up test. The intervention consisted of 10 minutes of Indo Board (a dynamic balance board) training 4 days a week throughout the entire season. The volleyball team served as the intervention group, whereas the soccer team had no intervention. A dependent t-test demonstrated a statistically significant (p [less than or equal to] 0.05) improvement on the single-leg squat and 1-minute sit-up test for the volleyball team, whereas the soccer team (no intervention) demonstrated a statistically significant (p [less than or equal to] 0.05) improvement on the 1 -minute sit-up test. It was concluded that by training on an unstable surface, the individual is conditioning the core while simultaneously performing balance activities. It was also noted that, although improvements were seen, each participant (both volleyball and soccer) was also active in regular season practice, competition, and strength and conditioning training over the course of the season. Functional balance activities are cost effective and should be added to any form of strength and conditioning program in an attempt to enhance program effectiveness and to develop functional postural activation. Functional postural activation will not only assist with functional performance, but also in the prevention of injury. KEY WORDS Indo Board, core strength, balance, functional training

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between possible predictive measures of a 50 m front crawl swimming and a 22.86 m flutter kicking speed. Ten women who were National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I collegiate swimmers and 10 women who were recreational swimmers (mean [+ or -] SD = 20.6 [+ or -] 1.6 years; 66.7 [+ or -] 10.3 kg; 166.7 [+ or -] 8.8 cm) volunteered for the study. Anthropometric measures were obtained including height, leg length, lower leg length, and foot length. Ankle flexibility was assessed by measuring ankle plantar flexion and ankle inversion. Lower body power was measured using a vertical jump. Swimming and kicking speed were measured as the time to complete a 50 m front crawl and a 22.86 m flutter kick, respectively. Significant moderate correlations were demonstrated between ankle plantar flexion and flutter kicking speed (r = 0.509); age and 22.86 m kick time (r = 0.608); age and 50 m swim time (r = 0.476); and 50 m swim time and 22.86 m kick time (r = 0.790). No significant correlations were observed between any of the anthropometric measurements or vertical jump power with either kicking or swimming speed. As anecdotally noted by swim coaches over the years, this study provides some actual data showing that ankle flexibility significantly influences flutter kick capability. Surprisingly, vertical jump power and body size were not strong predictors of kicking or swimming speed in this group of subjects. Strength and conditioning coaches, swim coaches, and athletes should evaluate and carefully develop ankle flexibility to positively contribute to kicking capabilities. KEY WORDS swimming, performance prediction, flexibility, front crawl, maximal power

The aim of the present study was to examine how explosive strength, kicking speed, and body composition are affected by a 12-week plyometric training program in elite female soccer players. The hypothesis was that this program would increase the jumping ability and kicking speed and that these gains could be maintained by means of regular soccer training only. Twenty adult female players were divided into 2 groups: control group (CG, n = 10, age 23.0 [+ or -] 3.2 yr) and plyometric group (PG, n = 10; age 22.8 [+ or -] 2.1 yr). The intervention was carried out during the second part of the competitive season. Both groups performed technical and tactical training exercises and matches together. However, the CG followed the regular soccer physical conditioning program, which was replaced by a plyometric program for PG. Neither CG nor PG performed weight training. Plyometric training took place 3 days a week for 12 weeks including jumps over hurdles, drop jumps (DJ) in stands, or horizontal jumps. Body mass, body composition, countermovement jump height, DJ height, and kicking speed were measured on 4 separate occasions. The PG demonstrated significant increases (p < 0.05) in jumping ability after 6 weeks of training and in kicking speed after 12 weeks. There were no significant time x group interaction effects for body composition. It could be concluded that a 12-week plyometric program can improve explosive strength in female soccer players and that these improvements can be transferred to soccer kick performance in terms of ball speed. However, players need time to transfer these improvements in strength to the specific task. Regular soccer training can maintain the improvements from a plyometric training program for several weeks. KEY WORDS stretch-shortening cycle, jumping ability, kicking performance

Imbalance of the eccentrically-activated external rotator cuff muscles versus the concentrically-activated internal rotator cuff muscles is a primary risk factor for glenohumeral joint injuries in overhead activity athletes. Nonisokinetic dynamometer based strength training studies, however, have focused exclusively on resulting concentric instead of applicable eccentric strength gains of the external rotator cuff muscles. Furthermore, previous strength training studies did not result in a reduction in glenoumeral joint muscle imbalance, thereby suggesting that currently used shoulder strength training programs do not effectively reduce the risk of shoulder injury to the overhead activity athlete. Two collegiate women tennis teams, consisting of 12 women, participated in this study throughout their preseason training. One team (n = 6) participated in a 5-week, 4 times a week, external shoulder rotator muscle strength training program next to their preseason tennis training. The other team (n = 6) participated in a comparable preseason tennis training program, but did not conduct any upper body strength training. Effects of this strength training program were evaluated by comparing pre- and posttraining data of 5 maximal eccentric external immediately followed by concentric internal contractions on a Kin-Com isokinetic dynamometer (Chattecx Corp., Hixson, Tennessee). Overall, the shoulder strength training program significantly increased eccentric external total work without significant effects on concentric internal total work, concentric internal mean peak force, or eccentric external mean peak force. In conclusion, by increasing the eccentric external total exercise capacity without a subsequent increase in the concentric internal total exercise capacity, this strength training program potentially decreases shoulder rotator muscle imbalances and the risk for shoulder injuries to overhead activity athletes. KEY WORDS shoulder injury risk, isokinetic dynamometry, overhead activity, athletes

Bone mineral density (BMD) variables were compared in 2 groups of women Division I collegiate athletes--gymnasts (GYM) and cross-country runners (CC)--during the preseason and during the competitive season. An osteogenic advantage may exist in women athletes involved in impact loading (gymnastics) over those women in active loading sports like long-distance running. The effects of menstrual status and the time of the training season on BMD also were examined. Dietary intake, menstrual status, BMD, and serum estradiol levels were measured during the preseason and during the competitive season in 26 women athletes (18-22 years of age). GYM had significantly higher BMD (p < 0.05) at all sites for both the pre- and posttests compared to CC. Neither group experienced a significant change (p > 0.05) in BMD between trials for any site; however, CC showed slight decreases at all BMD sites from baseline to the posttest. GYM had a higher prevalence of self-reported menstrual cycle disturbances than CC. No significant difference (p > 0.05) in BMD was found between the eumenorrheic and menstrual dysfunction groups (oligo/amenorrheic). In conclusion, the gymnasts had significantly higher (p < 0.05) BMD than the runners, suggesting BMD is influenced by the type of mechanical loading. Menstrual status did not significantly affect BMD in these women athletes. Cross-country runners were determined to be at greater risk than the gymnasts for low bone mass; thus, it is recommended that these athletes include more high-impact activities in their training regimen to optimize their bone health. KEY WORDS. female athlete triad, gymnastics, estrogen, endurance training