ABSTRACTBishop, C, McAuley, W, Read, P, Gonzalo-Skok, O, Lake, J, and Turner, A. Acute effect of repeated sprints on interlimb asymmetries during unilateral jumping. J Strength Cond Res XX(X)000–000, ...2019—The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of multiple repeated sprints on unilateral jump performance and interlimb asymmetries. Eighteen recreationally active men performed 3 single-leg countermovement jumps (SLCMJ) as baseline data. The repeated sprint protocol was 6 × 40 m with 20 seconds of passive rest between each sprint. This protocol was conducted 4 times, each set separated by 4 minutes of rest. Within that rest period, subjects performed one SLCMJ on each limb after 2 minutes of rest. A 1-way analysis of variance showed significant reductions (p < 0.05; effect size ES = −0.52 to −0.99) in jump height on both limbs after each set relative to baseline. Interlimb asymmetries increased at each time point and ranged from 7.62 to 14.67%, with significant increases in asymmetry seen after sets 3 (p = 0.046) and 4 (p = 0.002). Significant increases in sprint time were shown between sprints 1 and 6 in each set (p ≤ 0.01). A fatigue index (%) was also calculated and showed an exponential increase from 5.74% (set 1) to 13.50% (set 4), with significant differences between all sets (p < 0.001) with the exception of sets 3 and 4. Results from this study show that a 6 × 40-m repeated sprint protocol is a sufficient dose for implementing acute fatigue in recreationally active subjects. This was manifested by reductions in jump height at all time points and jump height asymmetries after the third and fourth sets. These findings indicate that jump height from unilateral jump testing may be a useful metric to use during the monitoring process in recreationally trained athletes.
ABSTRACTGonçalves, CA, Lopes, TJD, Nunes, C, Marinho, DA, and Neiva, HP. Neuromuscular jumping performance and upper-body horizontal power of volleyball players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X)000–000, ...2019—The aim of the current study was to characterize the neuromuscular jumping performance and upper-body horizontal power of elite and subelite volleyball players. In addition, those neuromuscular performances were compared between field positions. One hundred twenty-two male volleyball players participated in the study83 elite players (mean ± SD24.11 ± 5.57 years) and 39 subelite players (25.38 ± 6.19 years). They were divided according to their playing positionsetters (n = 22), opposite hitters (n = 16), middle hitters (n = 30), right-side hitters (n = 38), and liberos (n = 16). Each participant randomly performed 3 repetitions of medicine ball throwing (MBT), countermovement jump (CMJ), CMJ with free arms (CMJFA), and spike jump (SPJ). The results showed no significant differences between positions in the analyzed variables. However, there were differences between elite and subelite in the CMJ (p = 0.000, ηp = 0.12), the CMJFA (p = 0.000, ηp = 0.15), the SPJ (p = 0.000, ηp = 0.21), and MBT (p = 0.001, ηp = 0.09), showing a tendency for increased jumping performance and upper-body horizontal power for elite players. The elite opposite hitters and right-side hitters recorded greater CMJ performances (d = 1.20 and d = 1.62, respectively). The right-side hitters were the only group that showed greater horizontal upper-body muscular power (p = 0.000, d = 1.50). It is suggested that jumping performance is a determining factor for higher-level players, which was more relevant for the opposite hitters and right-side hitters. Nevertheless, the movement pattern of MBT seems to be relevant for the right-side hitters. Coaches should seek to develop jumping ability for the improvement of volleyball performances, without disregarding upper-body performances, depending on the position-specific demands.
ABSTRACTCuevas-Aburto, J, Jukic, I, Chirosa-Ríos, LJ, González-Hernández, JM, Janicijevic, D, Barboza-González, P, Guede-Rojas, F, and García-Ramos, A. Effect of traditional, cluster, and rest ...redistribution set configurations on neuromuscular and perceptual responses during strength-oriented resistance training. J Strength Cond Res XX(X)000–000, 2020—This study aimed to compare the acute effect of traditional (TR), cluster (CL), and rest redistribution (RR) set configurations on neuromuscular and perceptual measures of fatigue. Thirty-one resistance-trained men randomly performed a Control session and 3 experimental sessions consisting of the squat (SQ) and bench press (BP) exercises performed against the 10 repetition maximum load using TR (3 sets of 6 repetitions; 3 minutes of interset rest), CL (3 sets of 6 repetitions; 30 seconds of intraset rest every 2 repetitions; 3 minutes of interset rest), and RR (9 sets of 2 repetitions; 45 seconds of interset rest) set configurations. A significant effect of “set configuration” (p = 0.002) was observed for barbell velocity. The average velocity of the training session was lower for TR compared with CL (% difference = 5.09% in SQ and 5.68% in BP) and RR (% difference = 5.92% in SQ and 2.71% in BP). The 3 set configurations induced comparable decrements in countermovement jump height (% difference from −6.0% to −8.1%) and throwing velocity (% difference from −0.6% to −1.2%). Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE-10) values collected after the sets were higher for TR (SQ6.9 ± 0.7 a.u.; BP6.8 ± 0.8 a.u.) compared with CL (SQ6.2 ± 0.8 a.u.; BP6.4 ± 0.7 a.u.) and RR (SQ6.2 ± 0.8 a.u.; BP6.6 ± 0.9 a.u.), while the session RPE did not differ between the set configurations (p = 0.595). CL and RR set configurations allow for higher velocities and lower RPE values during resistance training sessions not performed to failure in comparison with a TR set configuration.
This study aimed to analyze basketball players' jumping bhavior in the Squat Jump (SJ), Countermovement Jump (CMJ), and Free Arm Swing CMJ (CMJ Free) during a professional basketball season and check ...if it is modulated by the players' specific playing position, the time played on court, and the different leagues. Fifty-three male professional basketball players were assessed in three different moments of the season through SJ, CMJ, and CMJ Free. Between the beginning of pre-season (1st assessment) and the second round of the season (3rd assessment), there was a strong increase in performance in the three jumps (SJ Height: 5.6%, η
= 0.234,
= 0.007; CMJ Height: 5.1%, η
= 0.177,
= 0.007; CMJ Free height: 4.11%, η
= 0.142,
= 0.01). There was also a significantly large increase in SJ and CMJ between the 2nd and 3rd assessments and in the CMJ Free between the 1st and 2nd assessments. No significant interactions were found between jumping performance and the group factors (players' specific playing position, time played on court, and league). In conclusion, SJ, CMJ, and CMJ Free performance strongly increases between 1st and 3rd assessment, without being influenced by the specific playing position or the minutes played per game.
ABSTRACTFort-Vanmeerhaeghe, A, Milà-Villarroel, R, Pujol-Marzo, M, Arboix-Alió, J, and Bishop, C. Higher vertical jumping asymmetries and lower physical performance are indicators of increased injury ...incidence in youth team-sport athletes. J Strength Cond Res XX(X)000–000, 2020—To date, the literature about the association between injury-risk factors and actual injury incidence in young elite team-sports athletes is scarce. The main objective of this study was to examine how modifiable factors may affect injury incidence. Eighty-one young elite team-sports athletes (ageunder-14 to under-18) performed the countermovement jump (CMJ), a single leg CMJ (SLCMJ), the one-legged hop test (OLHT), a 30-m sprint test, the V-cut test, a repeated sprint ability, and the 30-15 intermittent fitness test (IFT) during the pre-season period. Interlimb asymmetries were calculated for SLCMJ and OLHT. Injuries were recorded prospectively for the entirety of the 2017–2018 season. Comparison of injury and noninjury data was performed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results of the ANOVA according to injury showed significant differences in CMJ (p = 0.01), SLCMJ on the lowest performing limb (p = 0.03), and SLCMJ asymmetry (<0.001). Sex × injury interaction was significant from CMJ (p = 0.018) and 30-15 IFT (p = <0.001). In conclusion, this study indicated that athletes with greater interlimb asymmetries, less vertical jump capacity, and lower intermittent aerobic fitness had a greater predisposition to injury. Therefore, monitoring CMJ, aerobic performance, and interlimb asymmetries is recommended given their sensitivity to detect significant differences between injured and healthy youth athletes.
The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of a focused versus mixed-methods strength-power training plan on athletes undertaking high volumes of concurrent training. Fourteen ...junior elite male Australian football players were randomly assigned into either the focused or mixed group. Both training groups undertook a sequenced training intervention consisting of a four-week mesocycle emphasising heavy strength followed by a four-week mesocycle of high velocity emphasis. Training differed between groups by way of the degree of emphasis placed on the targeted attribute in each cycle and occurred during the preseason. Testing occurred pre- and post-training and consisted of the unloaded and loaded (+20 kg) countermovement jump (CMJ). Focused training elicited practical (non-trivial) improvements in flight time to contraction ratio (FT:CT) (g = 0.45, ±90% confidence interval 0.49) underpinned by a small reduction in contraction time (g = -0.46, ±0.45) and a small increase in braking (g = 0.36, ±0.42) and concentric phase mean force (g = 0.22, ±0.39). Conversely, the mixed group demonstrated an unchanged FT:CT (g = -0.13, ±0.56). Similar respective changes occurred in the loaded condition. Preferential improvements in FT:CT occur when a greater focus is placed on a targeted physical quality in a sequenced training plan of junior elite Australian football players during preseason training.
ABSTRACTHawley, VS, Gurchiek, RD, and van Werkhoven, H. Can foot anthropometry predict vertical jump performance? J Strength Cond Res XX(X)000–000, 2020—Vertical jumping is an important element of ...many sporting activities, and whether anthropometric adaptations can predict jumping performance is of interest. Few studies have specifically considered anthropometric measures of the foot and its link to performance. Furthermore, previous studies have mainly focused on a male subject pool, and whether relationships are consistent across sexes is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between common anthropometric measures, as well as specific foot measures, and jump performance in men and women. Anthropometric measures of 21 men (age22.0 ± 1.5 years; stature181.4 ± 6.3 cm; body mass85.6 ± 9.4 kg) and 21 women (age21.2 ± 1.8 years; stature166.1 ± 7.5 cm; body mass61.4 ± 11.4 kg) were taken before performing 3 maximal countermovement jumps (CMJs). Correlational analysis was used to determine relationships between anthropometric measures and CMJ height (a priori significance set at p≤ 0.05, effect sizesmall >0.1; medium >0.3; large >0.5). There was no significant correlation between anthropometric variables and CMJ height for men, whereas for women, mass (r = −0.585, p = 0.005, large effect), foot length (r = −0.533, p = 0.013, large effect), and toe length (r = −0.604, p = 0.004, large effect) showed significant negative correlations with CMJ height. The unexpected result that smaller feet and toes predicted higher jumps for women warrants further investigation. Furthermore, these results highlight the need to incorporate diverse subject pools, and a need for caution when generalizing across sexes.
•A smartphone and free motion analysis software can measure jump height accurately.•Low-cost instruments are a valid alternative to laboratory-based equipment.•Vertical jump tests measure ...physiological and biomechanical parameters.•The smartphone-kinovea method can detect changes over the noise of the measure.
Jumping is a simple exercise determined by several biomechanical and physiological factors. Measures of vertical jump height are common and easy to administer tests of lower limb muscle power that are carried out with several types of equipment. This study aimed to validate and address the usefulness of the combination of smartphone and computer-based applications (Smartphone-Kinovea) against a laboratory-based Motion Capture System. One hundred and twelve healthy adults performed three maximal-effort countermovement jumps each. Both instruments measured the heights of the 336 trials concurrently while tracking the excursion of the body center of gravity. The vertical velocity at take-off vto and the impulse J were computed with jump height h measures. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) results indicated very high agreement for h and vto (0.985) and almost perfect agreement for J (0.997), and Cronbach's α=0.99. Low mean differences were observed between instruments for h: -0.22 ± 1.15 cm, vto: -0.01 ± 0.04 m/s, and J: -0.56 ± 2.92 Ns, all p<0.01. The smallest worthwhile change (SWC) and the typical error of measurement (SEM) were 1.34 cm, 0.81 cm for h; 1.15 m/s, 0.03 m/s for vto, and 2.93 Ns, 2.25 Ns for J, so the usefulness of the method is established (SWC/SEM>1). Bland-Altman plots showed very low mean systematic bias ± random errors (-0.22 ± 2.25 cm; -0.01 ± 0.08 m/s; -0.56 ± 5.73 Ns), without association between their magnitudes (r2=0.005, r2=0.005, r2=0.001). Finally, very high to practically perfect correlation between isntruments were observed (r = 0.985; r = 0.986; r = 0.997). Our results suggest that the Smartphone-Kinovea method is a valid and reliable, low-cost instrument to monitor changes in jump performance in a healthy, active population diverse in gender and physical condition.
Purpose
:
Feedback can enhance acute physical performance. However, its effects on physical adaptation have received little attention. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect ...of feedback during a 4-wk training program on jump, sprint, and strength adaptations.
Methods
:
A total of 28 semiprofessional male rugby union players were strength-matched into 2 groups (feedback and nonfeedback). During the 4-wk training program, the Feedback group received immediate, objective feedback on (1) mean concentric velocity during resistance training repetitions, (2) distance feedback for standing broad jumps, and (3) time for sprints. The Nonfeedback group was not provided additional information. Across the 4-wk mesocycle, subjects completed 3 strength and conditioning sessions per week. Countermovement jump, standing long jump, 10- and 20-m sprint, and 3-repetition-maximum barbell back squat and bench press were measured before and after the training intervention. Magnitude-based inferences assessed meaningful changes within and between groups.
Results
:
The Feedback group showed small to moderate improvements in outcome measures, whereas the Nonfeedback group demonstrated trivial to small improvements. Improvements in countermovement-jump relative peak power (effect size ± 90% confidence limits: 0.34 ± 0.42), 10-m (0.20 ± 0.35) and 20-m sprints (0.40 ± 0.21), and 3-repetition-maximum back squats (0.23 ± 0.17) were possibly to likely greater for the Feedback condition than for Nonfeedback.
Conclusions
:
Providing augmented feedback during strength and conditioning routines can enhance training adaptations compared with athletes who do not receive feedback. Consequently, practitioners should consider providing kinematic outputs, displacement, or sprint time at the completion of each repetition as athletes train.