Date of Award
Winter 1-10-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Kinesiology (PhD)
Department
Kinesiology
Abstract
The purpose of this dissertation was to examine whether barbell selection influenced power outputs during loaded jump shrugs in collegiate athletes and to connect research findings to practical applications in strength and conditioning. Although Trap Bars are often assumed to provide mechanical advantages during explosive lifts, limited research has evaluated their impact during ballistic derivatives such as jump shrugs. This study addressed that gap by comparing the performance of Straight Bar and Trap Bar exercises across four standardized loads in male and female Division II athletes. A repeated-measures design was used to assess barbell velocity, concentric mean power, peak landing force, and rate of force development at 100 milliseconds. All participants completed a standardized warm-up and performed jump shrugs on force plates while bar velocity was recorded using a Tendo unit. Results indicated that load, rather than bar type, produced the most consistent performance differences. Velocity decreased and landing forces increased with rising load. Bar type did not significantly affect velocity, landing force, or rate of force development. The only significant bar-type difference occurred in female concentric mean power, which was higher when using the Straight Bar. Overall, the findings suggested that both implements produced largely comparable mechanical outputs, challenging the assumption of Trap Bar superiority during ballistic exercises. These results supported flexible implement selection and emphasized the importance of load prescription and individualized programming in collegiate strength and conditioning.