Year

2026

Season

Spring

Paper Type

Master's Thesis

College

Brooks College of Health

Degree Name

Master of Science in Health: Kinesiology (MSH)

Department

Clinical & Applied Movement Sciences

NACO controlled Corporate Body

University of North Florida. Department of Clinical & Applied Movement Sciences

Committee Chairperson

Dr. Charles Caleb Williams

Second Advisor

Dr. Jessica Stapleton-Mike

Rights Statement

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Third Advisor

Dr. Paul Tyler Donahue

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Jay Dawes

Department Chair

Dr. Joel Beam

College Dean

Dr. Mei Zhao

Abstract

Per the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), approximately 30,000 individuals participate in collegiate lacrosse in the United States, roughly 13,000 being women. Participation beyond the NCAA has increased substantially in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA), the Women’s Club Lacrosse Association (WCLA), and high school programs nationwide.  As women’s lacrosse continues to grow, strength and conditioning programs at the collegiate level have become pervasive to enhance athletic performance. However, limited research exists examining the impact of strength training on physical performance in women’s lacrosse.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of strength training on muscular strength and endurance, speed, agility, shooting velocity, power, and psychological outcomes in women’s lacrosse athletes. The aims of this study were to investigate (1) the effectiveness of a periodized strength program on weight room performance, (2) the changes in sport-specific performance outcomes, and (3) the relationship(s) between weight room performance and sport performance.

Nine female collegiate club athletes (19.89±1.453 years, 168.981±5.512cm, 70.796±19.329kg) participated. Anthropometrics and body composition via air displacement plethysmography, along with biological and training age, were assessed. 1RM testing for bench press and back squat occurred on day one and sumo deadlift on day two of strength testing. Participants completed a supervised 10-week strength program. Post-testing replicated baseline procedures. Data were analyzed using paired samples t-tests with significance set at p< 0.05. Significant improvements in absolute strength (1RM BS: p=0.007; 1RM BP: p< 0.001; 1RM SDL: p=0.009) and relative strength (BS Relative Strength: p< 0.001; BP Relative Strength: p< 0.001; SDL Relative Strength: p=0.010). Significant differences in body fat percentage (p=0.010), and lean body mass (p=0.012), respectively. No significant differences in age, training age, height, or body mass. A 10-week periodized strength program improved strength and body composition in female lacrosse athletes.

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