title: Eccentric resistance exercise as a method of inducing post-activation potentiation to acutely influence force, speed, and power in resistance-trained males

authors: Olsen, Cam

abstract: Novel methods of acutely improving an individual’s athletic performance are regularly utilised in an effort to gain unique advantages in competitive contexts. One such method is post-activation potentiation (PAP). Eccentric resistance exercise has been demonstrated to have unique properties to that of traditional resistance methods. Few studies have investigated the effects eccentric resistance exercise may have on potentiating physiological characteristics such as force, speed, and power. This thesis aims to: (1) review and synthesise existing literature regarding physiological and neuromuscular underpinnings of PAP and eccentric exercise (Chapter One); (2) examine test-retest reliability of the test conditions used to measure physiological aspects pertinent to athletic populations (Chapter Two); and (3), investigate the acute effects isokinetic eccentric resistance exercise has on expressions of force, speed, and power (Chapter Three). Chapter Four discusses and summarises key findings of the studies undertaken, outlining strengths and limitations, and provides recommendations for future research. 
As part of the literature review in Chapter One, research regarding the pertinent variables of PAP and eccentric exercise was examined. While there is a consensus that PAP can occur and that eccentric exercise can have superior adaptive qualities to traditional exercise methods, it is evident there is little quantification for what training volumes, recovery periods, and individual characteristics are most conducive to the application of eccentric exercise to elicit PAP.
Chapter Two examined the inter-day reliability of the drop-jump, loaded counter-movement jump, and six-second peak power test metrics using equipment from OptoJumpᵀᴹ, Kinetic Performance Technology, and Wattbike Ltd. The experimental set-up and metrics were found to be reliable (<10% CV) for measuring flight time, relative power, and jump height in the drop jump; jump height and peak velocity for the lighter loaded counter-movement jump (25 kg); jump height, peak power, peak force, peak velocity and peak relative power for the heavier loaded counter-movement jump (45 kg); and peak power, relative power,  peak cadence and cadence at which peak power occurred in the six-second peak power test.
In Chapter Three, 19 resistance trained males completed three sessions of drop jumps, loaded counter-movement jumps, and six-second peak power cycling tests pre- and post-interventions using an isokinetic eccentric ergometer to induce PAP or a concentric cycling control. Measures of relative power in heavier loaded counter-movement jumps were found to be significantly improved (0.02) with moderate effect sizes found in time to peak power (0.80) and cadence at which peak power occurred (0.92) in the six-second peak power cycling test. Results from this research demonstrate a need for higher quality methodological studies to be undertaken examining variables involved in novel training methods such as PAP and eccentric resistance training including volume, intensity, recovery times, and individual characteristics required for beneficial adaptations in this population.

text: Eccentric resistance exercise as a method of inducing post-activation potentiation to acutely influence force, speed, and power in resistance-trained males Novel methods of acutely improving an individual’s athletic performance are regularly utilised in an effort to gain unique advantages in competitive contexts. One such method is post-activation potentiation (PAP). Eccentric resistance exercise has been demonstrated to have unique properties to that of traditional resistance methods. Few studies have investigated the effects eccentric resistance exercise may have on potentiating physiological characteristics such as force, speed, and power. This thesis aims to: (1) review and synthesise existing literature regarding physiological and neuromuscular underpinnings of PAP and eccentric exercise (Chapter One); (2) examine test-retest reliability of the test conditions used to measure physiological aspects pertinent to athletic populations (Chapter Two); and (3), investigate the acute effects isokinetic eccentric resistance exercise has on expressions of force, speed, and power (Chapter Three). Chapter Four discusses and summarises key findings of the studies undertaken, outlining strengths and limitations, and provides recommendations for future research. 
As part of the literature review in Chapter One, research regarding the pertinent variables of PAP and eccentric exercise was examined. While there is a consensus that PAP can occur and that eccentric exercise can have superior adaptive qualities to traditional exercise methods, it is evident there is little quantification for what training volumes, recovery periods, and individual characteristics are most conducive to the application of eccentric exercise to elicit PAP.
Chapter Two examined the inter-day reliability of the drop-jump, loaded counter-movement jump, and six-second peak power test metrics using equipment from OptoJumpᵀᴹ, Kinetic Performance Technology, and Wattbike Ltd. The experimental set-up and metrics were found to be reliable (<10% CV) for measuring flight time, relative power, and jump height in the drop jump; jump height and peak velocity for the lighter loaded counter-movement jump (25 kg); jump height, peak power, peak force, peak velocity and peak relative power for the heavier loaded counter-movement jump (45 kg); and peak power, relative power,  peak cadence and cadence at which peak power occurred in the six-second peak power test.
In Chapter Three, 19 resistance trained males completed three sessions of drop jumps, loaded counter-movement jumps, and six-second peak power cycling tests pre- and post-interventions using an isokinetic eccentric ergometer to induce PAP or a concentric cycling control. Measures of relative power in heavier loaded counter-movement jumps were found to be significantly improved (0.02) with moderate effect sizes found in time to peak power (0.80) and cadence at which peak power occurred (0.92) in the six-second peak power cycling test. Results from this research demonstrate a need for higher quality methodological studies to be undertaken examining variables involved in novel training methods such as PAP and eccentric resistance training including volume, intensity, recovery times, and individual characteristics required for beneficial adaptations in this population.

year: 2021

title: Supreme Court stories: Narrating violence in Suva streets and homes

authors: Stevens, Kate

abstract: This chapter looks at the establishment and limits of the colonial legal system in the early decades of colonial Suva, focusing on the cases of rape and sexual violence brought before the Supreme Court between 1875 and 1920.

text: Supreme Court stories: Narrating violence in Suva streets and homes This chapter looks at the establishment and limits of the colonial legal system in the early decades of colonial Suva, focusing on the cases of rape and sexual violence brought before the Supreme Court between 1875 and 1920.

year: 2022-09-08

title: The biology and general ecology of the Koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis) in some tributary streams of Lake Taupo

authors: Kusabs, Ian Andrew

abstract: The ecology and general biology of Galaxias brevipinnis were studied in three tributary streams of Lake Taupo between May 1988 and April 1989. Adult koaro were found in relatively high densities in the Waipehi and Omori streams but in low densities in the larger Waiotaka stream. The results of population estimation studies suggest that the distribution and abundance of koaro is negatively correlated with that of trout. There was a general decline in the population density of stream-resident koaro in the winter months. Juvenile koaro were found to migrate into the tributaries from August to December, with migrations being at a peak in October and November.

Population length-frequency distributions and otoliths used to age koaro indicated that there were up to 5 age classes. Growth was allometric and was adequately described by the von Bertalanffy equation after the first year of life. Koaro were found to be in best condition in the Spring and lowest in Winter.

Spawning appeared to occur from December through to April peaking in late Summer to early in the Waipehi Stream was Autumn. The mean fecundity of koaro approximately 5500. A sex-ratio of approximately 1:1 (males: females) were found in the koaro populations in the Omori and Waipehi streams, but during spawning there were always more ripe males than gravid females.

There was considerable overlap in the diets of both koaro and juvenile rainbow trout in the Waipehi and Omori streams, with invertebrates being consumed according to their relative abundance in the benthos. Ephemeroptera larvae were numerically the most important food item in the diet of both species. However, by weight, fish (juvenile koaro) were the most important food · item in the diet of koaro and rainbow trout in the Waipehi stream. In the Omori stream in Winter, trout eggs were the most important food item in terms of weight. Terrestrial prey was found to be of relatively minor importance in the diets of koaro and rainbow trout in the Waipehi and Omori streams.

text: The biology and general ecology of the Koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis) in some tributary streams of Lake Taupo The ecology and general biology of Galaxias brevipinnis were studied in three tributary streams of Lake Taupo between May 1988 and April 1989. Adult koaro were found in relatively high densities in the Waipehi and Omori streams but in low densities in the larger Waiotaka stream. The results of population estimation studies suggest that the distribution and abundance of koaro is negatively correlated with that of trout. There was a general decline in the population density of stream-resident koaro in the winter months. Juvenile koaro were found to migrate into the tributaries from August to December, with migrations being at a peak in October and November.

Population length-frequency distributions and otoliths used to age koaro indicated that there were up to 5 age classes. Growth was allometric and was adequately described by the von Bertalanffy equation after the first year of life. Koaro were found to be in best condition in the Spring and lowest in Winter.

Spawning appeared to occur from December through to April peaking in late Summer to early in the Waipehi Stream was Autumn. The mean fecundity of koaro approximately 5500. A sex-ratio of approximately 1:1 (males: females) were found in the koaro populations in the Omori and Waipehi streams, but during spawning there were always more ripe males than gravid females.

There was considerable overlap in the diets of both koaro and juvenile rainbow trout in the Waipehi and Omori streams, with invertebrates being consumed according to their relative abundance in the benthos. Ephemeroptera larvae were numerically the most important food item in the diet of both species. However, by weight, fish (juvenile koaro) were the most important food · item in the diet of koaro and rainbow trout in the Waipehi stream. In the Omori stream in Winter, trout eggs were the most important food item in terms of weight. Terrestrial prey was found to be of relatively minor importance in the diets of koaro and rainbow trout in the Waipehi and Omori streams.

year: 1989