Emily Orsini, Sports Editor–

Denison’s Strength and Conditioning department is always striving to advance its programs that are offered to varsity athletes, so the implementation of the Isometric Mid Thigh Pull seemed like a no-brainer to Beau Scott, director of Sports Performance and Head Strength and Conditiioning Coach.

“I want to push and lead the way,” said Scott. “I have division one coaches that used to work for us here, and they’re not doing the stuff that we’re doing [with technology]. Since I want to be leading the way, [it’s always asking] what’s the next thing we can incorporate to continue to push us forward.”

The varsity weight room, located in the Mitchell Center, is home to technologies such as force plates, velocity based training devices, and now the isometric mid thigh pull that provide athletes with data and information to make their training personalized to their needs. Each device provides different information for strength coaches to analyze in order to see progress athletes are making.  

“[Technology] allows us to be extremely specific in what we do, so I can know if the training program is working. If those measures aren’t going up like I think they [should], then I need to change something as a coach,” said Scott.

The isometric mid thigh pull is a device that consists of two force plates and a bar that is clamped between two poles. When using this device, an athlete stands with one foot on each force plate, and holds onto the bar while slightly bending their knees. The athlete is then instructed to pull as hard as possible on the bar in order to test how much static force they can produce. 

“The isometric mid thigh pull is a static measure, so the bar is not moving, you’re not moving, but you’re imparting force onto the plate,” said Scott. “It gives us another KPI (key performance indicator) to see things like if [an athlete’s] peak force increased by [a certain] amount.”

A key aspect of the technology used within Denison’s strength program is its compatibility. When using the isometric mid thigh pull, strength coaches are also able to apply the data they receive from the force plates in order to determine an athlete’s dynamic strength index. 

“When you average the ratios [from the force plates and the isometric mid thigh pull], you create something called the dynamic strength index. An [average] under .60 means that you need to work on more explosive or ballistic movements in the weight room. Anything .60 to .80 is a combination of strength and ballistic movements, and above .80 means you need to focus on increasing your strength and your force,” said Scott. 

The information gathered from the force plates and the isometric mid thigh pull allows for athletes to take their training to the next level. But at what point does it become too much data for a strength coach to analyze?

“The challenge with technology is that if the data is actionable. [When an athlete] uses the force plate I get 79 metrics from one jump. We’re not looking at all 79. It’s got to be something that you can do something with. Otherwise, you’re just collecting data that’s a huge waste of time and money,” said Scott. 

“We want to make sure that [the technology] is something that is going to be beneficial for the athletes and isn’t just window dressing. There’s a cost factor— it isn’t cheap, and you have recurring software licenses to pay, so you want to make sure you’re actually using it and that it’s helpful.”

Bringing technologies like the isometric mid thigh pull may come with a hefty price tag, but it also can attract high school athletes to seek out spots on teams within Denison’s athletics. 

“I sit in here and every coach that brings a recruit explains what we’re doing with [technology]. It’s a big thing for recruits because they may go [visit] another school, and they’re not using it,” said Scott.

By incorporating technology into strength and conditioning programs, Denison’s athletes are able to have a more personalized regiment that can help them find success in both the weight room and their sport. 

Photo: Bri Gonzalez ’26 testing out the new isometric mid thigh pull while her softball teammates cheer her on.