ORCID

0000-0002-6987-9864

Keywords

Exercise-induced muscle damage, flywheel, squat, maximal voluntary isometric contraction, force, power

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation series was to evaluate the reliability, validity, and applicability of the Desmotec D.EVO isoinertial flywheel device (D.EVO) for both isometric and dynamic squat assessments. Study one sought to establish the validity of the D.EVO for assessing squat maximal voluntary isometric contraction (FMVIC) versus a traditional squat maximal voluntary isometric contraction (TMVIC), determine the test-retest reliability of force and power outputs during FMVIC and flywheel squat protocols (FSPs), and explore relationships between these outputs and broad jump (BJ) and vertical jump (VJ) performance. We also identified the number of familiarization sessions needed for reliable data collection. Results showed FMVIC was reliable after two familiarizations, while FSP was reliable after four familiarization sessions. Despite strong associations between FMVIC and TMVIC, agreement between the two modalities was poor with FMVIC significantly overestimating force. FSP concentric average peak power was the only predictor of BJ and VJ performance. Study two examined differences in participant pain and force production during full-body harness (FBH) and waist belt (WB) FMVICs on the D.EVO, assessing the reliability and validity of these protocols compared to TMVIC. The results of the study indicated that although the FBH was more tolerable to wear during a squat MVIC, both straps significantly overestimated force and, therefore, neither exhibited acceptable agreement with TMVIC. Study three characterized the magnitude, timescale, and reliability of functional and systemic markers of exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) following moderate and high isoinertial resistance FSPs, provided commentary on the presence of the repeated bout effect (RBE) in resistance-trained men, and offered recommendations for utilization of the FSP in crossover studies. The results of the study indicated a negligible presence of the RBE in this population, indicating that the FSP may be utilized in cross-over designs provided the study sample is of sufficient resistance training status.

Completion Date

2025

Semester

Spring

Committee Chair

Wells, Adam

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Health Professions and Sciences

Department

Kinesiology

Identifier

DP0029296

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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