Danica Mauz

Bio: Danica Mauz is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Jumping & Jump. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 2 publications receiving 8 citations.

Effect of kinesio taping on performance in counter-movement jump

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of taping with a flexible tape on jumping performance and its effects on the impulse in a stretch-shortening cycle movement. 23 subjects were divided in control group and intervention group. The subjects participated in two trials of vertical counter-movement jumps. In the trial, the knee extensors of the subjects in the intervention group were taped with an activating taping technique. Reaction forces of the jump were measured with an AMTI-force plate. Results showed no significant differences (ANOVA, p<0.05) between the two groups in both trials. Mean jumping height in Trial 1 was 0.38 ± 0.11 m (control) and 0.33 ± 0.05 m (intervention) compared to 0.35 ± 0.10 m (control) and 0.33 ± 0.05 m (intervention) in Trial 2. No improvements in jumping performance could be detected.

Kinematic adjustments during successful and unsuccessful wolf jumps on the balance beam

Abstract: The current study examined differences in the kinematics between successful and failed landings of a wolf jump on the balance beam. Subjects were 35 elite level gymnasts performing in competition. Discrete point analysis and Analysis of Characterizing Phases found that failed landings involved higher initial longitudinal component of the inertia tensor, body angle in the anterior-posterior direction at takeoff and landing, and the medial-lateral component of angular velocity during the descent of the jump (p < 0.05). While initial higher longitudinal inertial tensor values may have been adjusted during the descent, it is possible that focusing on this factor may have prevented the gymnasts from dealing with other errors in body position; specifically the angle of the body in the anterior-posterior direction.

The Effect of Kinesio Taping on Vertical Jump Height and Muscle Electromyographic Activity of the Gastrocnemius and Soleus in Varsity Athletes

Abstract: Objective: To examine the effect of kinesio tape compared to no tape on vertical jump height and triceps surae electromyographic (EMG) muscle activity in healthy varsity athletes. Design: One group pre-test post-test design. Methods: Twenty healthy varsity athletes (15 females and 5 males) between the ages of 18 and 30 (20.45 years ± 1.36) participated in this study. Each participant was a member of a varsity university basketball, volleyball and/or track and field team. After consent was obtained, the participant completed a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) and the Waterloo Footedness Questionnaire. The participant then completed a brief warm up and three practice trials of each jump technique. The jumping techniques included the countermovement vertical jump and static vertical jump. The skin at each sensor site was prepped and cleaned and a Delsys Trigno Wireless EMG System was attached to the lateral and medial gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles. After insuring that the EMG sensors were firmly attached, the individual performed a maximal vertical jump and the height of the vertical jump measured using a Vertec device. The participant performed three trials of a one-footed take off using only his/her dominant foot and a two-footed take off maximal countermovement vertical jump and static vertical jump. Each of these jumps were performed with a one footed take off using the dominant leg only, and then a two footed take off using both legs. Kinesio tape was then applied to the dominant leg using a combined taping technique (facilitatory and mechanical corrective). The maximal countermovement vertical jump and static vertical jump height was then re-tested. The mean rectified average EMG signal intensities and vertical jump heights were analyzed. A paired samples t-test was used to analyze the data comparing baseline to post-taping values with an alpha level set at p<.05. Results: There was a significant increase in mean vertical jump height (t(19)=-4.091, p=0.01) for the one legged static jump with the application of tape. The mean one legged static jump height without tape was 26.29 cm ± 9.12, while with tape it was 28.72 cm ± 7.37. There was no significant difference in the vertical jump height for the one legged static, one legged countermovement, or two legged countermovement jumps. There was also no significant difference in the EMG activity across the four jump types for the gastrocnemius or soleus muscles with and without tape. Conclusions: The findings of this study have shown that the application of an Achilles tendinopathy kinesio taping technique increased the vertical jump height during a one legged static vertical jump. A trend of minor improvement was evident in all of the vertical jumps that were performed with tape. It was found that kinesio tape had no effect on EMG activity of the gastrocnemius or soleus muscles. The improvement in vertical jump height demonstrates that the application of kinesio tape may provide an individual with an athletic advantage in sports such as volleyball and basketball where jump height may be advantageous in certain sport specific situations.

A Comparison of Biomechanical Parameters between Two Methods of Countermovement Jump

Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to compare of biomechanical parameters between countermovement jump with arm swing and countermovement jump no arm swing, and investigate the effect of arm swing to enhance the performance of countermovement jump. Five male high level athletes participated in this study were volleyball players (age: 20.2 ± 1.06 years; body mass: 82.77 ± 19.3 kg; height: 189.6 ± 9.34 cm). The two methods of countermovement jumps were performed on a strain gage force platform, high-speed motion capture system at a frequency of 250 Hz, video point v 2.5 2D motion analysis for kinematic parameters, and the integration was calculated by OriginPro 8.5 SR1 Data Analysis and Graphing Software. The following variables were analyzed: Maximum height, Low point, Height at TO, Maximum force, Velocity at TO, Kinetic Energy at TO, Potential Energy at TO, Impulse at TO, and the angles of lower limb at low point and take off. To examine the importance of biomechanical parameters on countermovement jump, a comparison between countermovement with arm swing and countermovement no arm swing and a correlations between arm swing and biomechanical parameters were used. The results showed, the performance (countermovement) was better among CMJ arm swing than CMJ no arm swing, of the parameters (Maximum height, Maximum force, Velocity at TO, Kinetic Energy at TO, Potential Energy at TO), and Arm swing was strongly correlated with Maximum force, Velocity at TO, Kinetic Energy at TO, Potential Energy at TO, and Knee angle at Low point. And Maximum height was strongly correlated with Height at TO, Maximum force, Velocity at TO, Kinetic Energy at TO, Potential Energy at TO and Impulse at TO. Finally, the percentage contribution arm swing in improving jump height was noted that arm swing led to an improvement in the CMJ arm swing by 27.08%.

Effect of Kinesio Taping on Vertical Jump After ACL Reconstruction

Abstract: Purpose: Increasing in the stability of the body or extremities, support or protection of the joint and the correction of the alignment of the body or limbs might be reasons that have contributed to the effects of elastic taping. The aim of this study was the effect of Kinesio taping on vertical jump test as a skill evaluation test in order to determination of basic ability of men who underwent ACL reconstruction at the different times. Materials and Methods: Thirty six men who underwent ACL reconstruction were contributed in the no taping, placebo and taping groups. In the descriptive way used statistics such as average, Standard Deviation, variance, frequency tables and in the deductive way used GLM repeated measures and post hoc test (LSD) within three groups (P < 0.05). Vertical jump was tested before, immediately, 24 and 48hours after taping. Results: The results have shown that there were significant effects at 24 and 48 hours after taping in comparison before taping in taping group and there were not significant effect in the placebo and no taping groups. Using of tape has a positive impact on explosive muscle performance and operation. Conclusion: For this reason it is recommended that in the technical and tactical training, people who have ACL reconstruction should be used tape to reduce the likelihood of re-injury and increase in muscle strength.