1. East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
Effects of Eleven Weeks of Training on Clean Pulls from Mid-thigh in Collegiate Throwers: an Exploratory Study
W. G. Hornsby III, C.R. Carter, M. R. Ramsey, G.G Haff,, A.R. Dotterweich, N. T. Triplett, H.S. Lamont, , M. E. Stone, and M.H. Stone
KLSS /Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education, Sports Science Laboratory,
East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
The present study followed USA NCAA division 1 (D-1) collegiate throwers over a period of an 11 week fall semester preparation-phase block form of periodized training. Volume and intensity alterations and their effects on physiological and performance variables (e.g. neuromuscular) are a key component in understanding the effects of a training process. Variables measured were strength and related variables associated with isometric and dynamic pulls from mid-thigh. These variables have been shown to correlate well with throwing performance (Stone et al. 2003, Terzis et al. 2007, 2008). As part of an on-going athlete monitoring program, alterations in these variables were tracked over time. A better understanding of physiological and performance adaptations to a training program can assists coaches in constructing a more optimal periodization plan. 
Introduction
Figure 1. The Set and Repetition Scheme
Figure 2. Exercises
Results Isometric B1
In the present study, the training protocol focused on gaining maximum strength. The decrease in isometric RFD may be explained because 1) the focus was on maximum strength development, not explosiveness and 2) it was observed that the athletes, during testing periods were quite competitive in producing high IPF values and not on explosiveness thus the athletes tended to pull longer, not necessarily more explosively. This last contention is supported by the increase in isometric impulse with large increases in PF. B2
Methods
Athletes and Control Subjects
Nine D-1 collegiate throwers (6 males and 3 females).
Throwing performance (taken from NCAA sanctioned meets) ranged from 10.98m to 16.90m in the shot put and 12.03m to 18.60m in the weight throw.
4 control subjects (3 males and 1 female).
Prior to the initiation of the study, the throwers had just completed a 4 wk period of moderately high volume of resistance, conditioning and throwing period.
Experimental Design
Time series study, over 11 weeks of training in nine D-1 collegiate throwers.
Collaborative effort between the sport coach (track and field), the event coach (throws), the strength and conditioning staff, and sport scientists.
Daily training outcomes were recorded and “monitored.”
Periodized throws and resistance training programme structured and sequenced with the objective of enhancing various strength characteristics to potentially optimize performance for the indoor conference championships.
Three testing periods throughout the study (weeks 1, 7, and 11). Control group took part in pre and post (T1 and T3) measurements 11 weeks apart. B3
Results Dynamic
Statistical Analysis
Multiple (1 x 3) repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to determine if significant differences existed between the measurement times for all throwers tested.
Multiple (1 x 2) ANOVA’s were used to determine if significant differences existed between the measurement times for all control subjects tested.
Multiple (2 x 2) follow up one-way ANOVAs were performed in order to determine differences between groups (M vs F, Throw vs Control).
For the dynamic pulls multiple (3 x 5) ANOVAs were used to determine if significant differences existed between different loads for the throwers dynamic mid-thigh pulls, while the paired samples tests were used to determine if significant differences existed between different loads within the same testing session.
Bonferroni adjusted t-Tests were used as follow-ups.
Additional analyses were performed using effect size (η2) and the coefficient of variation for the % gain.
Procedures
Isometric force-time curves (F-TC) were generated using a mid-thigh pull (force plate, 1000 hz).
Isometric peak force (IPF), rate of force development (RFD, 0–200ms) and impulse (Im) were derived from the resulting force-time curves. Test-retest reliability for IPF was ICCα ≥ 0.99 and RFD, ICCα ≥ 0.9.
Dynamic mid-thigh pull values were generated using a force plate in combination with potentiometers (above right and left side). ICCα for peak force (PF), RFD, peak velocity (PV) and peak power (PP) were r ≥0.92.
Isometric force data was also allometrically scaled (absolute force x body mass0.067) for comparison (IPFa).
Results Isometric
Testing
Performance tests were integrated into the athletes training program to help manage fatigue and maintain the goals of each block of training. Testing took 2 days. 
Day 1 (Monday): all measurements were collected in the morning. (hydration status, body composition).
On testing weeks, Monday’s lifting session, which was normally executed in the morning, was performed in the afternoon and no throwing took place.
Day 2’s (Wednesday) isometric mid-thigh pulls (AM) and dynamic mid-thigh pulls (PM).
Six dynamic performance trials were performed with two attempts at each trial and averaged, the loading scheme is based on Stone et al. (2008) and is as follows:
Males: 60kg, 140kg, 180kg, 220kg, 140kg (trials 1- 5) and, 30% IPF.
Females: 60kg, 80kg, 100kg, 120kg, 80kg, (trials 1- 5) and, 30% IPF.
Discussion DMTP:
Maximum dynamic strength characteristics improved over time, this was clearly apparent (Impulse statistically different) from the 30% IPF values.
Potentiating complexes (heavy lifts before light lights) likely depend upon an acute fatigue-fitness effect, (Stone et al., 2007).
Possible mechanisms: phosphorylation of myosin light chains, or disinhibition or greater pre-activation of the neuromuscular apparatus (Stone et al., 2008; Stone, Stone, & Sands, 2007).
There was some indication of a potentiating effect.
Trial 2 vs 5: typically showed (trends (T1 and T3) greater PP and PV, this was most apparent for PP. This finding is somewhat similar to Stone et al.’s (2008) findings among international level weightlifters.
Some data indicates that stronger athletes are more likely to potentiate. Interestingly, there was no indication that potentiation improved with increases in strength.
Training Protocol
The training programme (Figures 1 & 2) was a collaborative effort between the strength and conditioning coach, and the throws coach, both using multiple scientific sources to direct their decisions (Bompa & Haff, 2009; Garcia-Pallares et al., 2009; Harris et al., 2000; Plisk & Stone, 2003; Stone et al., 2007).
Sequenced resistance training programme, consisting of a series of three 3-4 week blocks (summated micro cycles)  
 Block 1 consisted of a strength-endurance emphasis whilst during block 2 and block 3 the emphasis shifted towards strength. Exercises were chosen in concert with the set/repetition scheme in an attempt to achieve the goals and objectives of each block. Alterations in relative intensities were incorporated into the weekly training structure to produce heavy and light days. Similar programs have been used successfully with collegiate throwers (Stone et al., 2003).
References
Bompa, T. O., & Haff, G. G. (2009). Periodization: Theory and methodology of training (5th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Garcia-Pallares, J., Sanchez-Medina, L., Carrasco, L., Diaz, A., & Izquierdo, M. (2009). Endurance and neuromuscular changes in world-class level kayakers during a periodized training cycle. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 106(4),
and Conditioning Research, 22(2),
Plisk, S., & Stone, M. H. (2003). Periodization strategies. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 25(19), 37.
Stone, M. H., Sanborn, K., O'Bryant, H. S., Hartman, M., Stone, M. E., Proulx, C., et al. (2003). Maximum strength-power-performance relationships in collegiate throwers. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 17(4),
Stone, M. H., Stone, M. E., & Sands, W. A. (2007). Principles and Practice of Resistance Training. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Terzis, G., Karampatsos, G., & Georgiadis, G. (2007). Neuromuscular control and performance in shot-put athletes. Journal of Sports Med.icine and Physical.Fitness, 47,  
Terzis, G, Stratakos, G, Manta, P, and Georgiadis, G. (2008) Throwing performance after resistance training and detraining. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 22: