Date of Award

8-1-1967

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Education, Health & Behavior Studies

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the changes elicited by the use of the Exer-genie exerciser as a sprint-start training device.

Ten freshman end varsity sprinters who were members of the University of North Dakota intercollegiate track team served as subjects. The control group participated in the initial and final testing and followed the regularly scheduled track training and practice. The experimental group participated in similar tasting and training, but also worked two or three times per week on a controlled Exer-genie program.

The initial and final tests involved six timed trials for the twenty-yard dash out of starting blocks and six trials with the reaction timer. The mean time for each test became the subject's score for that test. These scores were used to equate the groups using the matched pairs method.

The significance of difference between the initial and final test means for each measurement within each group was tested by the "t” technique for correlated scores from small samples. Rejection of the null hypothesis was assumed at the .05 level of confidence.

Comparisons were made between groups for each measurement to establish whether there was any significant difference, for this purpose the standard error of the difference between weens of correlated samples was tested for significance at the .05 level of confidence.

the conclusions drawn from this study were: 1. Neither the control group nor the experimental group made significant improvement et the .05 level of confidence in starting speed for the twenty yard sprint start. 2. In comparing the control group and the experimental group, no significant differences were found at the criterion .05 level in sprint start speed or in reaction time. 3. The experimental training program produced no significant changes et the .05 level in the ability of the subjects to Improve upon their speed in the first twenty yards of s sprint race. 4. The effect of the experimental training upon reaction time was not significant at the .05 level of confidence end the differences that did occur were negligible.

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