Collegiate Athletic Association Division Research Articles

Ultrasound as a predictor of time-loss injury for the patellar tendon, Achilles tendon and plantar fascia in division I collegiate athletes

ObjectivesTendinopathy and fasciopathy are common conditions that can result in time-loss injury in athletes. This study aimed to determine if preseason sonographic abnormalities of the patellar tendon, Achilles tendon and...

Relationships between surrogate measures of mechanical and psychophysiological load, patellar tendon adaptations, and neuromuscular performance in NCAA division I men's volleyball athletes.

Patellar tendon adaptations occur in response to mechanical load. Appropriate loading is necessary to elicit positive adaptations with increased risk of injury and decreased performance likely if loading exceeds the capacity of the tendon. The aim of the current study was to examine intra-individual associations between workloads and patellar tendon properties and neuromuscular performance in collegiate volleyball athletes. National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I men's volleyball athletes (n = 16, age: 20.33 ± 1.15 years, height: 193.50 ± 6.50 cm, body mass: 84.32 ± 7.99 kg, bodyfat%: 13.18 ± 4.72%) competing across 9 weeks of in-season competition participated. Daily measurements of external workloads (i.e., jump count) and internal workloads [i.e., session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE)] were recorded. Weekly measurements included neuromuscular performance assessments (i.e., countermovement jump, drop jump), and ultrasound images of the patellar tendon to evaluate structural adaptations. Repeated measures correlations (r-rm) assessed intra-individual associations among performance and patellar tendon metrics. Workload measures exhibited significant negative small to moderate (r-rm =-0.26-0.31) associations with neuromuscular performance, negative (r-rm = -0.21-0.30), and positive (r-rm = 0.20-0.32) small to moderate associations with patellar tendon properties. Monitoring change in tendon composition and performance adaptations alongside workloads may inform evidence-based frameworks toward managing and reducing the risk of the development of patellar tendinopathy in collegiate men's volleyball athletes.

Diet quality of NCAA Division I athletes assessed by the Healthy Eating Index

Optimizing diet quality is an important concept for college athletes. Purpose: To evaluate dietary quality of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I athletes. Methods: Total 94 college athletes (n= 21 male, 73 female) from 19 different varsity teams at a single university completed a 24-hour dietary recall using the Automated Self-Administered 24-hour (ASA24) Dietary Assessment Tool. Diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) with higher scores indicating better diet quality (range 0-100). Results: The average HEI score for the total sample was 59.2 ± 16.6 and only nine athletes achieved an HEI score ≥ 80. There were no significant differences in HEI scores between sexes, class, majors, sport played, or those who did or did not report taking previous nutrition coursework. Conclusions: The dietary quality was poor based on US dietary guidelines for the general population, which could have negative effects on health and performance.

Can NCAA Policy Effect Student Costs? Evidence from the 2015 Adoption of Student-Athlete Cost of Attendance Stipends

ABSTRACT In 2015, 65 universities in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I autonomous conferences changed their scholarship policy by allowing universities to give student-athletes cost of attendance stipends. While student-athletes welcomed this policy change, many people within the higher education community felt the policy change would lead to higher costs for the general student body. This paper provides the results of a difference-in-differences estimation designed to examine if the 2015 NCAA student-athlete scholarship policy change correlated with higher university-published estimated cost of attendance. The findings show a positive, statistically significant relationship between the policy change and estimated student cost of attendance.

Quantification of Information Transmission in Signal Play-calling for NCAA Division 1 College Football: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Background: To gain a competitive advantage in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 American college football, teams often use a coded, hand/body gesture-based play-calling system to communicate calls to student-athletes on the field. Objective: The purpose of this study is to apply cognitive engineering concepts toward the improvement of signal transmission such that a realistic amount of data signaled will be received and understood by the student-athlete. Methods: Partnering with an NCAA coaching staff, information transmitted via signal-based communication pathways were quantified to inform the design of their signal system. Quality control coaches, practitioners of football signalling characterization and design, used an autoethnographic frame to train researchers on the communication protocol standards. A comprehensive literature review of sources from 1900 to 2019 was conducted to examine information transmission, signal-gesture taxonomies, sign-language recognition, and code design. Findings were applied to the signal system to quantify the information contained in the transmission between the signalling coaches and the student-athletes. Results: Results found that the observed signal system transmits an average of 12.62 bits of information on offense and 12.92 bits on defense with 23% and 12% redundancy, respectively. Conclusion: Recommendations were provided to the coaching staff regarding code optimization and gesture design to improve student-athlete performance.

Changes in Maximal Strength and Home Run Performance in NCAA Division I Baseball Players Across 3 Competitive Seasons: A Descriptive Study.

The purpose of this longitudinal, descriptive study was to observe changes in maximal strength measured via isometric clean grip mid-thigh pull and home runs (total and home runs per game) across three years of training and three competitive seasons for four National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 baseball players. A one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed, revealing significant univariate effects of time for peak force (PF) (p = 0.003) and peak force allometrically scaled (PFa) (p = 0.002). Increases in PF were noted from season 1 to season 2 (p = 0.031) and season 3 (p = 0.004), but season 2 was not significantly different than season 3 (p = 0.232). Additionally, increases in PFa were noted from season 1 to season 2 (p = 0.010) and season 3 (p < 0.001), but season 2 was not significantly different than season 3 (p = 0.052). Home runs per game rose from the 2009 (0.32) to 2010 season (1.35) and dropped during the 2011 season (1.07). A unique aspect of the study involves 2010 being the season in which ball-bat coefficient of restitution (BBCOR) bats were introduced to the NCAA competition.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Experiences of Student-Athletes in STEM with Dual Advising

Despite the nation's critical need for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) college graduates, the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I student-athletes represent a small portion of STEM majors. Student-athletes pursuing STEM disciplines benefit from the assistance of academic and athletic advisors; this study explored student-athletes' experiences with such dual advising. Building on Terenzini and Reason's (2005) comprehensive model of influences on student learning and persistence, our findings highlighted STEM athletes' need for individualized advising, support engagement in STEM, and options and flexibility in the curriculum. The study also exposed uncertainty about the different roles of academic and athletic advising units and the ways limited communication diminishes the effectiveness of the advising units' collaborative efforts.

Acute Testicular Fracture in a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Baseball Catcher: A Case Study

A 21-year-old male baseball catcher sustained an injury to the right testicle from a foul ball that ricocheted from the ground to his groin. The athlete was removed from competition when testicular pain began to increase. Ice was applied to the affected area and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were utilized through the evening. Further diagnosis and treatment were warranted the following morning. Diagnostic ultrasound revealed a fracture to the right testicle, necessitating surgical repair. The athlete followed a return-to-play progression and returned to play 20 days postinjury. This case describes evaluation and treatment of a rare acute condition and the need for early recognition and diagnosis.

Resting Blood Pressure in Collegiate Swimmers During a Competitive Season: A Prospective Observational Study.

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to describe and examine differences in resting blood pressure (BP) during an eight-week time frame in the course of the competitive season among collegiate swimmers of varied sexes.MethodsA prospective observational study using a sample of convenience of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 female and male swimmers from one university were invited to participate. Blood pressure was measured using standardized methodology at six encounters spaced over eight weeks. Descriptive statistics analyzed demographics, mean BP, and BP classifications. A pairwise t-test analyzed differences in the mean BP and BP classification by sex. The Bonferroni correction was applied given the multiple variables included in the analysis with statistical significance determined to be p≤0.002.ResultsThirty-eight swimmers (15 males and 23 females) met the inclusion criteria. Differences between sexes were identified with a higher mean diastolic BP observed in males at the third encounter (p=0.0004) and a higher mean systolic BP observed in males at the sixth encounter (p=0.0002). Four males and four females were identified with a BP classified as stage 1 or 2 hypertension at the first encounter; however, six males and no females met this criterion at the last encounter which was statistically significant (p=0.0004).ConclusionsIncreased BP from baseline measured for systole, diastole, and BP classifications was significant in male compared to female swimmers. Specifically, divergence in BP by sex first appeared in the diastolic measures at three weeks and in the systolic measures and BP classifications by eight weeks.

Perception of Comfort, Fit, and Jumping Performance of Elite NCAA Division 1 Student-athletes: The Effect of Basketball Shoe Design – Part II

Background: Assessing basketball shoe comfort and fit as personal protection equipment (PPE) at the collegiate level is unique. Objective: The purpose of Part II in this pilot study was to examine the effect of shoe design on the perception of comfort and fit after performing an acute series of jumps in elite male and female National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 basketball student-athletes. Method: A total of sixteen basketball student-athletes (six males, ten females) performed two rounds of acute series of four styled basketball jumps on two ForceDecksTM Force Platforms while trying to maximize jump height by tapping VertecTM Jump Vanes. The male student-athletes selected the AdidasTM Harden Vol. 3 and the AdidasTM SM Pro basketball shoes. The female student-athletes selected the Adidas Harden Vol. 3 and the Adidas Captain Marvel basketball shoes. Upon completion of each round of jumps, the student-athlete recorded their perception of comfort on a 110mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and fit on a seven-point Likert rating scale based against their most comfortable basketball shoes ever worn. Results: Results of this pilot study reported, on average, the male student-athletes preferred comfort and fit of the Adidas SM Pro basketball shoes and the female student-athletes preferred the Adidas Harden Vol. 3 basketball shoe, though differences were non-significant at p &gt; 0.05. Conclusion: The use of a human factors assessment tool to evaluate basketball shoe comfort and fit and the influence of rated comfort and fit parameters on basketball jumping performance proved viable.

Comprehension and Selective Visual Attention in Play-calling Signage in NCAA Division 1 Football: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Background: The huddle in American college football has been replaced by hand-signals, play-cards, and other forms of nonverbal communication to deliver information from the sidelines to the field. These communication methods serve a dual-purpose of capturing the student-athletes’ attention while perplexing the opposition. Objective: The purpose of this study is to apply cognitive engineering concepts toward the improvement of signage and play-calling such that coaches can more effectively transmit information to players on the field during competitions. Methods: This comprehensive literature review investigates strategies for successful visual play-calling systems in sports communication. Collaboration occurred with a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 football coaching staff to understand communication processes on field. Existing literature related to visual language processing, selective attention, and signal comprehension were compiled for recommendations. Results: Research findings suggest positive correlations between speed, clarity, and simplicity of signage in addition to effective sideline communication. The results of this review can be used to develop guidelines that increase the accuracy and speed of play-calling during games, such as clearly designed imagery and simplified play calls; coaches may establish strategies that are consistently understood by student-athletes. Conclusion: In addition to the findings, this study also identifies visual communication methods and mediums that can be used in any sport or work field where transmitting and comprehending information from a distance is critical for task completion.

The determinants of season ticket holder advocacy in the NCAA football bowl subdivision

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to respond to four research questions. The first two as how likely are college football season ticket holders to recommend (1) purchasing a similar season ticket package and (2) attending a home football game, to a friend or colleague. The third question examines if there is a difference between advocacy toward purchasing season tickets as compared to advocacy toward game attendance. Finally, we identify what factors impact advocacy for college football season ticket holders.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey of 57,240 season ticket holders from 69 different National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision programs was undertaken. The data were analyzed to build a model of the drivers of advocacy in season ticket holders from a conceptual base of advocacy, trust and loyalty.FindingsThe identified drivers include both institutionally influenced factors and factors related to season ticket holder behaviors/demographics. The season ticket holder is arguably the highest level of fan for any sports organization from an affinity perspective and clearly the most important from a business perspective. This research argues that the season ticket holder should not only be the focus of ticket sales efforts but also leveraged as marketing advocates with the objective of attracting additional fans.Originality/valueThe value of this research is the large sample of data from season ticket holders of NCAA Division 1 football clubs and the resulting learning it provides to researchers and practitioners.

Jumping Performance of Elite NCAA Division 1 Student-athletes: The Effect of Basketball Shoe Design – Part I

Background: Assessment of basketball shoes as personal protection equipment (PPE) at the collegiate level is unique. Objective: The purpose of Part I in this pilot study was to examine the effect of shoe design on jump height in elite male and female National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 basketball student-athletes. Method: Each team selected two pairs of AdidasTM branded shoes. The male student-athletes selected the AdidasTM Harden Vol. 3 and the AdidasTM SM Pro basketball shoes. The female student-athletes selected the AdidasTM Harden Vol. 3 and the AdidasTM Captain Marvel basketball shoes. A total of sixteen basketball student-athletes (six males, ten females) performed an acute series of four styled basketball jumps on two ForceDecksTM Force Platforms while trying to maximize jump height by tapping VertecTM Jump Vanes. Two trials were performed in each shoe and for each type of jump which included a countermovement jump, drop jump from 30cm, step and jump, and a series of plyometric jumps. Results: The results of this pilot study indicated a non-significant effect of basketball shoe design on jump height while performing an acute series of basketball style jumps for either the male or female basketball student-athletes. However, there were significant differences in jump height and peak power between the male and female basketball student-athletes (p = 0.001). Conclusion: In addition to the results, the use of quantitative performance testing on the effectiveness of basketball shoe designs as PPE may assist in the mitigation of non-contact ankle and lower limb injuries.

Why do Canadian hockey players choose NCAA Division I women’s hockey programs? A qualitative investigation

ABSTRACTThe National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I women’s hockey programs that exist throughout the US are of interest to many Canadian women hockey players looking to continue participating at a high level of competition. There are currently 311 Canadian women players on NCAA Division I school rosters in women’s collegiate hockey; this trend can be considered a talent drain from Canada’s hockey system. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore Canadian women hockey players’ decisions for selecting an NCAA Division I hockey program in the US. Data were collected through 14 semi-structured interviews with former and current NCAA Division I Canadian women hockey players. The themes that emerged identified that the Canadian athletes found three features to be important when selecting NCAA institutions: Resources, Competitive Level, and Past Player Achievements. These themes would indicate the reputation is factor in the decision-making process for Canadian female players.

University president sheds light on athletics programs

In his role as president of Old Dominion University since 2008, John R. Broderick has overseen the renewal of the football program and the addition of volleyball. He has also served on Conference USA's board of directors and on the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I Presidents Forum, mentored aspiring athletics directors, and supervised athletics in a previous role as VP of institutional advancement and admissions. So he knows what it takes to manage a college athletics department through all the expected and unexpected ups and downs.

Division I Athletic Director Trends and Perceptions of Requisite Professional Skills

Abstract The focus of this study was to understand perceptions of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I athletic director (ADs) skills and experiences and their relative importance to their current position. Division I ADs hold the highest position of authority in intercollegiate athletic departments at the highest level of competition in the NCAA (Swift, 2011). What once was seen as a job for retired coaches, has now transformed into a role that attracts some of the top executives both in and outside the sports industry (Belzer, 2015). Indeed, universities have begun to resemble a corporate culture, with ADs frequently considered to be CEOs of their department and the universities they serve (Hardin, Cooper &amp; Huffman, 2013). Since much of the research on AD career paths has employed a content analysis methodology, examining biographies of ADs to establish patterns, (e.g., Fitzgerald, Sagaria, &amp; Nelson, 1994; Hardin et al., 2013; Lumpkin, Achen &amp; Hyland, 2015), the current study sought to understand ADs perceptions of requisite skills and experiences by directly surveying the group. Results indicate current ADs place a high emphasis on developing skills relative to revenue generation, fundraising and development, while considering internal experiences such as working with academic services and life skills not nearly as important.

Phenomenological Consulting: Long-Term Mental Training With an Elite College Football Place Kicker

This case study depicts the approach taken by a sport psychology consultant who worked with an elite college football place kicker from the beginning of the individual’s freshman year to the end of his senior competitive season. The player expressed an interest in adding mental training to his conventional practice habits to manage the mental and emotional demands he expected to face throughout his career at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level. The consultant used an approach rooted in the philosophy of existential phenomenology, referred to as phenomenological consulting. The effectiveness of interventions was determined by the player’s description of his experience and reflections of the consultant. The present study represents an example of the benefits athletes might derive from a phenomenological approach to long-term performance consulting.

Ultrasound examination and patellar tendinopathy scores in asymptomatic college jumpers

ABSTRACTObjective: To investigate the prevalence of hypoechoic areas by US and its’ association with VISA-P scores among asymptomatic jumpers while highlighting sex comparisons.Design: Cross-sectional study.Setting: Pre-participation exam at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) division I college.Participants: Thirty-one college athletes who engage in jumping sports.Main outcome measures: Hypoechoic images of patellar tendon captured by ultrasound examination were compared to a self-reported knee functional survey, the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment for patellar tendinopathy (VISA-P) scale (0–100).Results: With a total of 31 athletes (13 males and 18 females), prevalence rate of the hypoechoic areas of patellar tendon was 19.4% (6/31) in the right knee and 29.0% (9/31) in the left knee. There was no proportional difference in a comparison of prevalence rate of hypoechoic area [(+) or (−)] by sex in either right or left knee. The VISA-P scores were significantly lower in US (+) than US (−) in the right knee (p = 0.003, Cohen’s d = 1.675), but not the left knee (p = 0.250, Cohen’s d = 0.512). The receiver operating characteristics curve analysis indicated the most sensitive and specific VISA-P values based on status [(+) or (−)] of hypoechoic area was 89.5 with 86.4% and 77.7% of sensitivity and specificity.Conclusion: In short, hypoechoic areas were detected by US examination among self-reported asymptomatic jumpers. There was an association between hypoechoic areas and VISA-P scores in the right knee, but not in left knee. VISA-P scores may be used as a screening tool for the presence of hypoechoic areas.

Analysis of Central and Peripheral Vision Reaction Times in Patients With Postconcussion Visual Dysfunction.

To determine whether central and peripheral vision reaction times (PVRTs) are prolonged in patients with visual dysfunction after sustaining a concussion. Comparison of Dynavision D2 central and PVRTs in patients with postconcussion visual dysfunction were compared with control data from a normative patient database. Concussion patients without visual dysfunction were not included in this study. National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 college training room and university based, academic health center. Patients were selected for inclusion based on diagnosis of new visual dysfunction as indicated either by physical examination of the team physician or by patient self-report of symptoms. Patients included college athletes, college students, and concussion patient's presenting to a university based, academic health center. Measurement of central and PVRTs using a Dynavision D2 reaction time program were used as the dependent variables. Evaluations were conducted from 3 days to 11 months postconcussion, depending on the temporal development of visual symptoms after the concussion. No intervention was used. Average central and PVRTs for patients with postconcussion visual symptoms were compared with an asymptomatic control group with no history of concussion. Both central and PVRTs were significantly prolonged in patients with postconcussion visual symptoms compared with patients with no history of concussion. Central and PVRTs are both prolonged in patients with postconcussion visual dysfunction with PVRT being disproportionately prolonged. The percent change from central to PVRT was also increased in patients with postconcussion visual dysfunction.

A Tale of Two Presidents: The Rise and Fall of Division I Athletics at Birmingham-Southern College

In 1999, Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) announced that they were leaving the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics to join the highest rank of the National Collegiate Athletic Association-Division I. While competing in Division I, the size of BSC’s athletic budget was in the bottom 10 per cent. By 2006, the Board of Trustees at Birmingham-Southern voted to reclassify to Division III. Why did Birmingham-Southern decide to enter Division I? How did the academic mission of Birmingham-Southern play a role in the rise to Division I or the fall to Division III? What role, if any, did the presidents of Birmingham-Southern play in its joining and leaving Division I? One reason Birmingham-Southern decided to compete at the Division I level was because their leaders believed in the ‘Flutie Factor’, which is the concept that athletic success will benefit the entire institution. BSC’s transition into Division I during 1999 suggests that the commercialization of big-time college athletics encourages presidents to overemphasize athletics, and that they face little opposition when doing so. Moreover, the opposition to BSC’s reclassification into Division III during 2006 suggests that presidents face more resistance when attempting to lead their college into a less prestigious level of competition, even if the move better fits the college’s academic mission.