THE EFFECTS OF USING KNEE WRAPS ON BACK SQUAT AND VERTICAL JUMP PERFORMANCE

A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

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The Department of Kinesiology

by Cardyl Patrick Trionfante B.S., Kent State University, 2007 M.A., Kent State University, 2008 December 2016

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The process of reviewing literature to prepare for this project, acquiring approval from multiple campuses for each study, and collecting data required a great deal of time, effort, and sacrifice. I would like to thank all parties who have provided support and assisted me in the process of creating and completing this Dissertation project. Nicole Trionfante; my wife, has supported me through my entire graduate career. She has been by my side even when I had to move to Louisiana to start my doctoral program and back to Ohio when I started collecting data for this Dissertation. She has worked full time while allowing me to finish my studies. My daughter Aubriella Trionfante is a daily inspiration for me to finish this project and add to this field of research. I would like to thank my family for their lifelong support of my academic career. My mother Carmela Trionfante served as a non-commissioned officer of the United States Airforce for over 20 years while raising me and my sister as a single parent. She along with the rest of my family (my sister Carmen, uncle Brad, aunt Deann, grandmother Patricia, and grandfather Carmen) have always encouraged me to pursue my academic passions and strive to make the highest marks possible in whatever I choose to do. Dr. Arnold Nelson has helped me develop both my knowledge base and strategies for explaining exercise physiology using investigative methods and critical thinking while looking at the big picture. As my main advisor and mentor he has helped me develop the ability to independently create and complete exercise physiology research projects. I would also like to thank Dr. Neil Johansen, Dr. Dennis Landin, and Dr. Fereydoun Aghazadeh for agreeing to join my committee. Most importantly I would like to thank Dr. J. Derek Kingsley for allowing me to use his lab space and providing assistance with acquiring approval from Kent State University to collect data for this dissertation.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS………………………………………………………………………………................ii ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………………………………………….….iv CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………………..1 CHAPTER II: THE EFFECTS OF USING KNEE WRAPS ON VERTICAL JUMP PERFORMANCE……....4 INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………………………...4 METHODS…………………………………………………………………………………………………..5 RESULTS……………………………………………………………………………………………………9 DISCUSSION……………………………………………………………………………………………...11 CHAPTER III: THE EFFECTS OF USING KNEE WRAPS ON BACK SQUAT AND VERTICAL JUMP PERFORMANCE…………………………………………………………………………………………………...14 INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………………………….14 METHODS…………………………………………………………………………………………………15 RESULTS………………………………………………………………………………………………….21 DISCUSSION……………………………………………………………………………………………...28 CHAPTER IV: THE EFFECTS OF USING KNEE WRAPS ON BACK SQUAT, POST-EXERCISE PERFORMANCE, AND PERFORMANCE RECOVERY……………………………………………………….31 INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………………………….31 METHODS…………………………………………………………………………………………………32 RESULTS………………………………………………………………………………………………….36 DISCUSSION……………………………………………………………………………………………..41 CHAPTER V: CONCLUSIONS……………………………………………………………………………..…….43 REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………………………………………...48 APPENDIX I: GENERAL EXAMS……………………………………………………………………………..….51 APPENDIX II: IRB APPROVAL DOCUMENTS………………………………………………………………..149 APPENDIX III: CONSENT FORMS……………………………………………………………………………..155 APPENDIX IV: SUPPLEMENTAL STATISTICS………………………………………………………………168 VITA………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...170

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ABSTRACT Using knee wraps (KW) as an ergogenic aid has been commonly practiced in various sports such as powerlifting, strongman, and Olympic weightlifting. There is limited research investigating the effects of using KW during back squat (BS) and none regarding vertical jump (VJ). This dissertation investigates the effects of wearing KW on BS and VJ performance through a series of studies. The first study was designed to observe acute and long term effects of using KW on VJ performance. VJ performance decreased when KW were worn and was not considered an ergogenic aid for VJ. The second study was designed to observe the effects of wearing KW on BS performance and the effects of two BS protocols on VJ performance by measuring VJ immediately before and after the completion of each BS protocol. Force, velocity and power characteristics of the BS improved after repeated testing and training BS protocols. The protocols had no effect on VJ performance. The third study required participants to perform the BS protocols with and without KW with a heavier training load and repetition volume as well as perform more post-exercise VJ tests compared to the second study. Observations suggest wearing KW improves BS performance and that VJ is unaffected by BS protocols designed for strength. Observations regarding wearing KWs during the BS and VJ include: 1) reduced VJ height, 2) increased BS concentric force, velocity, and power, 3) reduced BS eccentric velocity, 4) prevent decreases in BS concentric velocity and power in protocols with heavy training loads. These studies had several limitations including: 1) small sample sizes in each study (eight to twelve subjects completed each study), 2) fitness/athleticism of population (recreationally active college age males), 3) accuracy of measuring devices used during data collection of the VJ height (Vertec ± 1 inch) and BS performance (linear position transducer: distance ± 1cm, time ± 0.001s), 4) using one knee wrap material and technique across three studies. Future studies should test: 1) stronger more athletic populations, 2) BS and VJ protocols with varying intensity, volume and rest times, 3) a variety of knee wrap materials and techniques.

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CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION Strength based sports such as powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, and strongman have used knee wraps (KW) in practice and competition for several decades. However, social stigmas about their use such as limiting unassisted (raw) strength performance/gains, physical discomfort, and perceived increased risk of injury have contributed to declines in KW usage among strength athletes. The knee is wrapped when in extension and stores elastic energy during knee flexion. This elastic energy is released during knee extension. In previous studies, investigators applied KW treatments as an ergogenic aid for back squat (BS) (1-4) and isometric squat (5, 6). Early literature investigated the mechanical assistance known as “carry over” of KW. Harman & Frykman (1) observed increased vertical force at the feet when participants wore KW during the BS. Participants performed the BS on a scale while suspended from a parachute harness. This method was used to quantify the amount of force needed to lower participants to the bottom position of BS with and without KW. The difference in reported scale weight (lbs) between conditions was considered significant (KW-82.1±12lbs, UW-57.1±9lbs, p