IMMEDIATE EFFECTS OF POST-ISOMETRIC RELAXATION AND STATIC STRETCHING ON QUADRICEPS MUSCLE DURING VERTICAL JUMP IN VOLLEY BALL AND BASKETBALL PLAYERS

Background and Aim: In today sports such as volleyball and basketball, Vertical Jump is considered as important component that enhance the performance of athlete. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of muscle energy technique on vertical jump performance in volleyball and basketball players. Methodology: This Randomized Clinical Trial was conducted at Islamic International University Islamabad. Twenty-nine athletes of age 18 – 35 playing basketball and volley as part time/domestic level were included. Post isometric relaxation technique was applied on group A (n=15) and static stretching was applied on group B (n=14). Surface electromyography activity of quadriceps and abdominal muscle was recorded, Stable time, airtime and vertical jump height were measured using two-axis force platform and vertical jump height was measured by motion sensor. Measurements were taken at baseline and immediately after applying interventions to both groups. Data entry and analysis were done by using software SPSS version 22. Results:   Of the 29 athletes, 15 were in the group A and 14 were in the group B. Immediate assessment of vertical jump height was not significantly improved by post-isometric relaxation relative to static stretching (p=0.594). Muscle recruitment, ground reaction and vertical jump height improved apparently after post isometric relaxation but not significantly. Conclusion: It appears that post isometric relaxation and static stretching of quadriceps shows no significant difference in vertical jump height.

Effectiveness of Teacher Education Programs Offered Through Annual and Semester Systems

In 2009, Government of Pakistan formulated National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST), to devise a mechanism for accreditation of teacher education institutions and programs. The achievement of these NPST is assumed as the reliable parameter for exploring the effectiveness of any teacher education program. This study addresses the effectiveness of Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) program offered through annual and semester system at University of Education (UE) Lahore, focusing on three (3) selected NPST (2009) Pakistan i.e Instructional Planning and Strategies, Learning Environment and Assessment. The study is of quantitative nature, which comprised of three (3) phases. The first phase was a content analysis of the scheme of studies of B.Ed program offered through annual and semester systems. In the second phase, data was collected through four (4) questionnaires and from 348 prospective teachers (who have completed their course work of teacher education program) and 60 teachers (teacher educators). Finally, the third phase was carried out through the observation of 36 graduate teachers (who have already graduated through annual or semester system and are presently working as teachers in the schools) against checklist. The study concluded that except the modes of assessment, there is no difference in scheme of studies, entry requirements, teaching strategies, medium of instruction and the duration of B.Ed program offered through annual and semester systems. Moreover, the prospective teachers showed their inclination towards the annual system and rated it effective for the offering of teacher education program under study. While the teachers (teacher educators and graduate teachers) considered that semester system is more effective for offering the teacher education program.