The Cardiovascular Demands of Division I Sideline Cheerleaders During Training and Football Games

<p>The purpose of this study was to evaluate the autonomic balance and cardiovascular demands of collegiate sideline cheerleaders between practice and game settings, and throughout four quarters of a football game; and to evaluate the physical fitness of collegiate Division I cheerleaders. Eleven cheerleaders volunteered to participate (age; 18.9+0.8y, height; 163.2+4.3cm, and body mass; 64.9+8.7kg). Basic physical fitness was assessed by evaluating blood pressure, resting heart rate, grip strength, and body composition. Physiological data (maximal heart rate [HR], average HR, physiological intensity, physiological load, maximal activity, and average activity) were collected at four practices and four games using a Zephyr Bioharness HR monitor. Prior to each practice and game, a 15-minute heart rate variability (HRV) reading was taken in the seated position. There was a significantly higher LF/HF ratio prior to game than prior to practice (p< 0.01). Average HR was significantly higher during game than practice (p< 0.01). Average activity level was significantly higher during game than in practice (p< 0.01), while maximal activity level was significantly higher in practice than during game (p< 0.01). More time was spent in the moderate and vigorous intensity heart rate zones during games than during practice (p< 0.05). Average HR, physiological intensity, and physiological load were significantly higher in Q1 and Q2 than Q3 and Q4 (p< 0.01). Maximal HR was significantly higher in Q1 than Q3 and Q4 (p< 0.01). The present study demonstrates higher HR and intensities and a shift toward sympathetic activity in games than during practice in Division I cheerleaders, therefore implementing more high-intensity exercise sessions during practice may be beneficial to mimic a game-like situation.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Health Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Kinesiology and Health Sciences

Year dc:date.available

2018

Author dc:creator

• Cornett, McKenna

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Kate Early
• Dr. Brian Tyo
• Dr. Clayton Nicks

• Cheerleaders
• Heart Rate Variability
• Intensity
• Fitness
• Circulatory and Respiratory Physiology
• Medicine and Health Sciences

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/theses_dissertations/424

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:csuepress.columbusstate.edu:theses_dissertations-1424