A job analysis of major college female strength and conditioning coaches.

This investigation consisted of a job analysis of 6 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I female strength and conditioning coaches. Each coach was employed at universities competing within the Football Bowl Subdivision. All subjects in the survey were responsible for providing strength and conditioning services to their institution's athletic programs. The procedures used for the gathering of data involved a questionnaire followed by a semi-structured interview. The purpose of this format was to use the semi-structured interview to delve more deeply into the issues raised by the questionnaire. Evidence was obtained related to demographic data; major job duties; relationships with supervisors, fellow strength coaches, and the sport coaches with whom they work; and the effects the job has on their spouse and other family members. All the participants in the study were white with an average age of 31.6 years. Their average time spent in the profession was 8 years, and the average time spent in their current employment was 5 years. Overall, the job satisfaction for the group was high. Five of the subjects held master's degrees, and all participants held relevant certifications in the field. The coaches primarily provided services to athletes participating in women's sports at their respective universities.

An analysis of the job of strength and conditioning coach for football at the Division II level.

The purpose of this investigation was to describe the working environment of the heretofore unexamined Division II football strength and conditioning coach (SCC). Data were collected on demographic characteristics, job satisfaction, major job duties and responsibilities, work environment, and professional and personal relationships. A total of 63 questionnaires were returned by the potential 155 institutions identified at the Division II level. Percentages were used in the reporting of data. The results indicate that this group is relatively young (34.1), new to the profession, have low job stability, a low rate of professional certification, make a salary less than their Division I-A counterparts, and assume more duties and responsibilities than their Division I-A colleagues. Despite these apparent drawbacks, by and large, these SCC appeared content with their career choice and circumstances.

Influence of range of motion in resistance training in women: early phase adaptations.

The purpose of this investigation was to compare partial range-of-motion versus full range-of-motion training in the development of maximal upper-body strength in women. A 1 repetition maximum bench press was used as the criterion measurement. A 10-week, 2 days per week training regimen was used. Subjects were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (n = 13) trained with 3 full range-of-motion sets on the bench press. Group 2 (n = 8) trained with 3 partial range-of-motion sets. Group 3 (n = 8), serving as a quasi-control, trained with an equal combination of partial and full range-of-motion sets. Findings indicated that each of the 3 groups experienced an increase in bench-press strength from pre- to posttest. In addition, a statistically significant difference was found between the full range-of-motion group and the partial and mixed groups (p < 0.5). This finding suggests that lifting through a full range of motion was superior to the other training regimens used in this study. However, this investigation also indicated that the partial technique had a positive effect on strength across time within the parameters of this study.

An analysis of full range of motion vs. partial range of motion training in the development of strength in untrained men.

The purpose of this investigation was to compare partial range of motion versus full range of motion training in the development of maximal strength. The bench press was used as the criterion measurement. The study was conducted over a 10-week period with training sessions occurring twice per week. Subjects were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (N = 11) trained with 3 full range of motion sets on the bench press. Group 2 (N = 15) trained with 3 partial range of motion sets. A partial repetition was defined as one that is beyond the sticking point 2 to 5 inches from full extension of the elbows. Group 3 (N = 30) trained with a combination of partial and full range of motion sets. All subjects were pre- and posttested on the bench press through a full range of motion using a 1 repetition maximum. Each of the 3 groups demonstrated statistically significant increases in strength from pre- to posttest. No differences were found between groups. These findings appear to suggest that partial range of motion training can positively influence the development of maximal strength. Therefore, those involved in the strength and conditioning profession can confidently including this method as an adjunct to their normal training protocols when working with individuals similar to those found in this investigation. It is suggested that additional research be conducted to further establish the effectiveness of partial range of motion training in developing maximal strength.

Job analysis of college Division I-A football strength and conditioning coaches.

This investigation consisted of a job analysis of 6 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-A strength and conditioning coaches (SCC). All the subjects in the study were primarily responsible for providing strength and conditioning services to their institution's football programs. The procedures used for the gathering of data consisted of 3 questionnaires and a semi-structured interview. The questionnaires were followed up by the semi-structured interview. The purpose of this format was to use the semi-structured interview to delve more deeply into the issues raised by the questionnaires. The major job responsibilities and tasks are highlighted. These included conducting training session for athletes, disciplining athletes for infractions of team rules, on campus recruiting, and professional scout liaison to the National Football League. These coaches' perceptions concerning their profession, work environment, relationships with supervisors and co-workers, and the effect the job has on their spouses and other family members are also emphasized.

An analysis of teaching and coaching behaviors of elite strength and conditioning coaches.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the coaching behaviors of 6 elite strength and conditioning coaches from the southern region of the United States. The Arizona State University Coaching Observation Instrument, consisting of 16 behavioral categories, was used for the collection of data. Each coach was observed and filmed on 3 occasions. All observations occurred in the respective team's weight training facility. The data collected in this study consisted of a percentage analysis of the observed coaching behaviors. The most frequently observed behaviors were silent monitoring (21.99%), management (14.62%), and hustle (11.12%). These results indicate that this population of strength and conditioning coaches was predominantly engaged in observation of their athletes (silent monitoring), organization of the weight training activity (management), and verbal statements to intensify effort (hustle). The results are similar to other studies with coaches who were also involved in individual rather than team sports.