Project Title: Sport Performance – NSCA National Conference and Olympic Collaboration
Project Author: Brent Alvar (Chandler-Gilbert)
Abstract: Write a concise summary with descriptive information about your project, location, time span, your relationship to it, etc. Include specific information-- since you have completed your project, your knowledge is valuable and can be shared with your colleagues.
My summer project was composed of 4 distinct parts.
First I finished 5 research projects that included 5 adjunct faculty members. The focus of the research was as follows:
1. Movement Analysis of NBA referees
2. A Meta-Analysis to Determine the Effect of Frequency Volume & Intensity of Resistance Training on Muscular Hypertrophy in Highly Trained Individuals
3. The Heart Rate Response in Elite Walking Golfers To Variable Ambient Temperatures.
4. The Influence of Resistance Training Volume on Firefighter Performance Outcomes
5. The Use of Grip Strength as a Predictive Indicator of Softball and Baseball Swing Velocity.
The second part of my summer project involved attending the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) National Conference in Washington, D.C. (July 12 – 15, 2006) where the adjuncts and I presented our research findings. I gained new insights from attending other presentations and made contacts with other strength and conditioning professionals from around the world.
The third part involved writing a proposal to the United States Olympic Training Center and meeting with them during the conference to discuss possible future research projects.
The fourth part of my summer project was to meet with the editors of the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. As an Associate Editor with the group, I have a voice on how I think the journal as well as our profession should proceed.
Outcomes: In a paragraph or two describe what worked well. Did you accomplish your objective(s)? Were you able to complete your summer project as written? If not, what did you modify and why? What did not go as well as expected, if anything? Were there any surprises? Note: Use the questions as guides for your outcomes. Do not include detailed list of workshops attended, speakers who presented, or a list of items you have seen, heard, or read.
Our research was received with enthusiasm. We were asked to prepare several manuscripts for publication based on our research presentation. We will be working over the next several months to submit the articles for publication.
I had several meetings with the representative from the United States Olympic Training Center during the conference and we have already begun work on our first collaborative project. We hope to have the project done prior to next years conference for a presentation.
I also met with a faculty member from the Universidad Europea de Madrid (University of Europe in Madrid). We have had formal discussion about an international exchange program between his institution, MCCCD and ASU. We will continue to work out the details and we are planning a visit to the United States for him as well as approximately a dozen of his students.
I was also asked to be and Associate Editor, as well as a (Section Editor) in Resistance/Strength Training for a new Spanish Journal titled The e-Journal of Human Sport and Exercise.
During the NSCA Journal of Strength and Conditioning - Associate Editors meeting we discussed the current state of journal as well as future direction. I was once again honored to be asked to sit on an editorial committee for a position stand on strength training. This is a prestigious recognition as these document shapes the way all professionals in the field of Exercise Science prescribe resistance training as an exercise modality.
Professional Growth: Your own professional growth is a large part of your project. Your professional growth is important to you, your students, your college, and possibly other colleagues. How did project affect you professionally? What skills did you learn? What environments were you working in and how might your summer project influence your teaching or other responsibilities? Did you gain a different perspective? Was it professionally valuable for you?
The professional growth that I attained was in 4 primary areas:
1. Research - I worked this year with 5 adjunct faculty members to research in the area of strength and conditioning. The research keeps me in the forefront of scientific information relative to my profession.
2. Dissemination – Attending the NSCA National conference and presenting our research is a huge professional opportunity. It is always a challenge to conduct research, but the research is useless unless you share the results with other researchers/professionals. Once again, the preparation for the conference as well as the conference itself helped me to develop my data collection and analysis skills as well as sharpened my techniques to prepare and present data to an audience of peers.
3. Collaboration – There is no group that has a higher research status than the United States Olympic Training Center. I am truly excited that I will have the opportunity to collaborate with this group of highly respected professional. Once again, this will keep me challenged and professionally engaged with leaders in my field and facilitates communication, staying up to date with sport performance professionals, and mentally stimulated by conducting and reporting on our research.
4. Editorial Board – This editorial position has forced me to stay up to date on current research trends, and allowing me to have a voice on how I think the profession should proceed. This requires knowledge of the past and an eye to the future to identify and evaluate reasonable courses of action. As par to this, my new role as an editor for one of the research groups position stands, sets me up as a leading expert in the area of strength training and gives me the opportunity to collaborate on a project that will have a resounding impact on the professoriate for years to come.
Dissemination: How will you share this information with your colleagues, department, students, or college?
I have already met with my faculty colleagues as well as several administrators to discuss the outcome of my summer project. I will be using the knowledge to bolster our new degree and certificate programs in Strength, Nutrition, and Personal Training as I feel my research and collaboration only make me a better professor and raise the proverbial bar for our Division as well as our College. I hope to use my new ties with the United States Olympic Training Center as well as the Universidad Europea de Madrid to enhance student learning with additional opportunities and exchange programs.
Thank you for enhancing my professional growth opportunities!!!
For more information about this project, check out the "package" in the Maricopa Learning eXchange:
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/mlx/slip.php?item=01830