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Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Performance Is Associated With Athletic Performance And Sprinting Kinetics In Division I Men And Women’s Basketball Players

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  • Athletic Greens

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Purpose: To examine the relationships between isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) force, athletic performance measures, and sprint kinetics in Division I men's and women's basketball players. Methods: Twenty-three (male = 8, female = 15) division 1 basketball players completed a maximal 20-m sprint trial while tethered to a device which provided kinetic feedback (peak and average sprinting power, velocity and force). Additionally, one repetition-maximal (1RM) front squat, 1RM hang clean, vertical jump height, and agility (pro-agility and lane agility) tests were performed. Rate of force development (RFD) at 50ms, 100ms, 150ms, 200ms and 250ms of IMTP, as well as peak force (PF) were also collected. Pearson product-moment correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between these measures. Results: Significant (p < 0.05) relationships were observed between IMTP PF and sprint time over all distances (5 - 20m; r = -0.62 to 0.69), average sprint velocity (r = 0.50 to 0.70), peak sprint velocity (r = 0.50 to 0.54), average sprint force (r = 0.48 to 0.69), and average sprint power (r = 0.62 to 0.73). Sprinting kinetic measures (average force and power) over the first 5 meters were also significantly (p < 0.05) related to IMTP RFD (50 - 250ms; r = 0.42 to 0.62). Conclusion: Results indicate that IMTP variables are significantly associated with 20-m sprint kinetics. Specifically, IMTP RFD appears to be related to the initial acceleration kinetics of a sprint. Strength and conditioning professionals can possibly implement the IMTP for improved assessment and monitoring of athletic performance and training.
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... performance [6,7,11,12,[15][16][17]. At the collegiate level, lower limb strength has been related to future success in men's basketball, with stronger players reaching higher levels of professional play than weaker counterparts [18]. ...
... At the collegiate level, lower limb strength has been related to future success in men's basketball, with stronger players reaching higher levels of professional play than weaker counterparts [18]. Additionally, research has also shown that players who possess greater lower limb strength are awarded more playing time [16]. ...
... The front squat was performed with the bar positioned across the anterior deltoids and required athletes to descend to a 90° knee flexion and immediately rise to an upright, standing position. Front squat performance was only reported in adolescent male and female players in two studies with 1RM [16] and 3RM protocols [17]. The mean front squat 1RM strength ranged between 84 and 126 kg, which was distinct from the 3RM load reported (66 kg). ...
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Background: Basketball players rely on their lower limb strength for speed and agility. Therefore, it is important for strength and conditioning coaches to seek methods to assess and develop lower limb strength. Objectives: This study aimed to identify tests and variables used to assess lower body strength among elite basketball players and to provide normative values for the commonly used strength tests. Methods: A review of PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute cross-sectional and cohort checklists. Results: Among the twelve reviewed studies, seven strength tests and five outcome variables were used. The most frequently used lower limb strength tests were the back squat (nine studies) and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) (three studies), both reporting one repetition maximum (1RM) and peak force metrics. The most frequently used lower limb strength test was the back squat among males and IMTP among females. Conclusions: Among elite basketball players, the back squat 1RM is the most used lower limb strength test. However, across studies, a large variability was evidenced, which suggests that lower limb testing procedures are heterogeneous in this population.
... Dentre as manifestações da força expostas na curva força-velocidade temos a força máxima isométrica e dinâmica (Spiteri et al., 2014;Brady et al., 2016;Townsend et al., 2019;Schiemann et al., 2024). Os dois tipos de força máxima colaboram com benefícios neuromusculares no desempenho atlético em atividades que requerem o uso dos membros inferiores (MMII) e membros superiores (MMSS) (Schiemann et al., 2024). ...
... Isto pode ser evidenciado numa pesquisa usando como população basquetebolistas (Abdelkrim et al., 2010b). Neste mesmo pensamento, os jogadores masculinos são mais fortes do que as atletas do gênero feminino (Townsend et al., 2019). Outrossim, atletas maturados precocemente denotam força máxima maior do que aqueles jogadores com maturação intermediária e tardia (Peña-González et al., ...
... supino (Balabinis et al., 2003;Nunes et al., 2008;Balsalobre-Fernández et al., 2014;Santos Júnior et al., 2018), agachamento (Nunes et al., 2008;Santos Júnior et al., 2018;Sasabe et al., 2022), hang clean (Townsend et al., 2019;Benítez-Flores et al., 2024), levantamento terra Schiemann et al., 2024), puxada (Balabinis et al., 2003), leg press (Balabinis et al., 2003;Conde et al., 2015;Canli;Bayru, 2020) 13 Nos MMSS, com o exercício supino, 0.99-kg/bm até 1.32-kg/bm é uma meta tangível para atletas bem treinados (Konukman et al., 2009;Ferland et al., 2020). Valor relativo para 1RM no exercício hang clean ficaria situado em torno de 0.80-kg/bm até 1.00-kg/bm (Hori et al., 2008;Goodale et al., 2016). ...
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Bons patamares de força máxima podem ser convertidos em melhorias expressivas no rendimento atlético. Logo, o objetivo desta investigação é identificar os níveis de força máxima dinâmica nos membros superiores e inferiores em jogadores de basquetebol competitivo. Com essa finalidade, consultou-se três bases de dados (PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct) onde foi possível selecionar 30 pesquisas científicas primárias para debater sobre os níveis de força máxima e 59 pesquisas secundárias complementares. A força máxima é uma manifestação importante da curva força-velocidade que proporciona benefícios concretos para o desempenho e prevenção de lesões. Seus valores são representados nas formas absoluta ou relativa. Nas investigações, o segmento corporal mais analisado foram os membros inferiores e o teste de carga máxima com o exercício agachamento predominou em relação aos demais. Também, cada categoria competitiva se valeu de determinados exercícios para medir a força. Em adição, houve hiatos de exercícios que inviabilizaram interpretações comparativas. No resultado geral, jogadores profissionais demonstraram possuir maiores níveis de força máxima absoluta em relação às demais categorias. Entretanto, a força relativa teve valores equilibrados entre atletas profissionais e universitários. Na análise por gênero, os basquetebolistas masculinos exibiram maiores valores na força absoluta e relativa na comparação com as atletas femininas. Especula-se que os principais fatores que colaboraram para essas discrepâncias na força máxima estão relacionadas à maturação biológica, gênero, exercício analisado, treinabilidade e função tática na equipe. Por fim, pesquisas adicionais sobre a temática são necessárias para suprir algumas lacunas pendentes deixadas pelas publicações.
... Therefore, there is low application of IMTP in combat sports athletes. We believe that this test can be used by coaches and evaluators to differentiate the performance of fighters, as the IMTP has shown an associative capacity with the performance of Netball , soccer (Dos' Santos et al., 2018), basketball (Townsend et al., 2019) and rugby athletes (Wang et al., 2016). However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has applied IMTP to measure and differentiate the performance of combat sports athletes. ...
... Previous studies have shown the predictive power of IMTP in relation to the performance of rugby (Wang et al., 2016) and basketball (Townsend et al., 2019) athletes. In addition to the previously researched sports, the lower limb strength proved to be an important variable to determine the performance of Karate (Quinzi et al., 2022) and Taekwondo (Álacks Antonietto et al., 2024;Ball et al., 2011) athletes. ...
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Background: The isometric mid-thigh pull test (IMTP) is commonly used in sports performance assessment, but it remains underutilized among combat sports athletes. Aims: to evaluate whether Pan-American medalists (PM) showed differences when compared with other athletes (NM) when performing the IMTP. Methods: a total of 72 Karate [n=35 (♀12)] and Taekwondo [n=37 (♀15)] athletes were measured (22.4±3.7 yrs.; 67.4±11.5 Kg; 1.7±0.1 m; 22.1±2.8 kg/m 2). From the total, 32 athletes were PM of their specific combat sport (♀11). All participants performed the IMTP 60-90 days before the competition. The following variables were measured: a) Impulse Net at 50; 100; 150 and 200 ms (N*s); b) absolute (N) and relative peak force (PF; N/Kg) and; c) Rating of force development (RFD) at 50; 100; 150 and 200 ms (N/s). Results: PM showed a better performance on absolute (2,398.5±623.1 vs. 2,096.2±559.3 N; p=0.034) and relative PF (34.6±5.0 vs. 31.2±5.1 N/Kg; p=0.006); RFD at 150 (5,273.4±2,670.8 vs. 3,963.4±1,904.2 N/s; p=0.0018) and 200ms (4,870.3±2,184.6 vs. 4,022.1±1,574.8 N/s; p=0.05). Relative PF (Τ=0.249; p=0.011) and RDF at 150 ms (Τ=0.208; p=0.033) showed a positive and significative correlation with the competition result. Conclusion: PM showed a high PF and RFD at 150 and 200 ms. Furthermore, the competition result was correlated with relative PF and RDF at 150 ms. Based on our findings, we recommend that coaches incorporate the IMTP into their evaluation routine for striking athletes. Keywords: martial arts, athletic performance, elite athlete, task performance and analysis.
... The core muscles activated by CSE RW might make the torso a rigid cylinder that efficiently transmits forces from the ground, improving the subsequent performance of the actions in the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) (16,22). Furthermore, a previous study (32) found that the CMJ performance significantly correlated with RFD200 (r 5 0.668) and RFD250 (r 5 0.701). The results of this study Table 2 Effects of re-warm-up (RW) with core strength exercise on stable (STA) and unstable (USTA) platform and passive rest (CON) on change of direction and power performance.* ...
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Yang, Y-R, Chen, C, Pan, C-H, Yen, S-Y, and Cheng, C-F. Effects of half-time re-warm-up with core strength exercises on subsequent agility and power performance in basketball players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-This study investigated the effects of half-time re-warm-up (RW) comprising core strength exercise (CSE) on basketball players' subsequent power and change of direction (COD) performance. Twelve male collegiate basketball players were recruited to perform 3 conditions -CSE RW on a stable platform (STA) or an unstable platform (USTA) and passive rest (control, CON)-in randomized, counterbalanced order after a modified Loughborough intermittent shuttle test (LIST). The COD and power performance tests were administered before the LIST and after the interventions. Heart rate (HR) was continuously measured during each trial. Results showed significantly lower changes in T-test time in STA compared with CON (p , 0.05). Changes in countermovement jump height in STA were significantly higher than those in CON (p , 0.05). During the isometric midthigh pull test, changes in the maximum rate of force development (RFD) (p , 0.05), RFD in the range of 0-90 milliseconds (p , 0.05), 0-150 milliseconds (p , 0.05), 0-200 milliseconds (p , 0.05), and 0-250 milliseconds (p , 0.05), in STA were significantly higher than those in CON. In addition, RFD in the range of 0-150 milliseconds (p , 0.05) and 0-250 milliseconds (p , 0.05) in USTA was significantly higher than that in CON. The mean HR during USTA was significantly higher than that in STA and CON (p , 0.05). These findings indicated that CSE RW during halftime might prevent power and COD performance decline in the second half of a game, with practical implications for coaches and players.
... These motor actions are performed with and without control of the ball (Narazaki et al., 2009;Aschendorf et al., 2019;Stojanović et al., 2019;Vretaros, 2021). In addition, it is highlighted that these tasks are linked to maximum strength, muscular power, speed, motor coordination and agility (Figueiredo et al., 2015;Townsend et al., 2019). ...
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Acquiring good levels of physical fitness in women's basketball is crucial for success in this complex sport. Thus, the objective of the research is to compare the level of physical fitness in women's basketball between different competitive categories through a systematic review. For this purpose, four databases were consulted (Google Scholar, PubMed, Scielo and LILACS) in Portuguese, Spanish and/or English, in which 32 primary scientific articles were found on physical fitness in women's basketball in the competitive categories and 51 manuscripts complementary secondary about the theme. Physical fitness indicators are divided into anthropometric, metabolic and neuromuscular. Each indicator has a series of variables whose sum will allow us to understand the athlete's actual physical fitness status. The physical training of female players follows the same guidelines as male athletes, but three aspects deserve attention when prescribing programs: menstrual cycle, eating disorders and bone mineral loss. In addition, cardiovascular and neuromuscular characteristics distinguish genders and interfere with physical fitness gains. In general results, professional basketball players presented better averages in the group of indicators (63.1%), followed by formative (21.0%), college (10.5%) and semi-professional (5.26%) players. Finally, it was evident that as female players progress in chronological age, they mature biologically and acquire training support, advancing between the competitive categories. In this way, your physical fitness comes to denote improvement. However, there is a large individual biological variability that impacts the average numbers between the indicators.
... 34 For example, when we use jump tests such as countermovement jumps (CMJ) or drop jumps 35 (DJ) to assess athletic performance, common metrics include: reactive strength index (RSI), 36 RSI Modified (RSI_Mod) and impulse (1,9,12). Equally, it's fairly undisputed that strength is 37 of paramount importance for virtually every athlete (15,16), yet we often include ratio data 38 from strength testing as well, such as: rate of force development (RFD) during an isometric 39 mid-thigh pull (IMTP) (18,21), hamstring to quadriceps ratio (H:Q) during isokinetic 40 dynamometry testing (11,14), and even the dynamic strength index (DSI) when coupled with 41 jump testing (7,17). Further to this, there has been a big rise in recent years of studies reporting 42 inter-limb asymmetry and bilateral deficit datawhich can be calculated once separate left and 43 right or bilateral and unilateral test data are collected (2,3,4,5). ...
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In strength and conditioning, ratio data are made up of more than one component part and are now commonplace in both research and practice, with an abundance of metrics from strength and jump testing being used as part of the ongoing monitoring process. Given these data have been utilised for many years, their inherent issues may not be obvious to all practitioners. However, ratio data often exhibit greater measurement error than their individual component parts. In addition, monitoring alterations in ratio data also presents challenges, given there is more than one way that the resultant test score can change. This brief review provides some practical examples to illustrate these challenges, but also some viable solutions to guide practitioners on how the concurrent monitoring of ratios and their component parts can help guide decision-making in day-today practice.
... These motor actions are performed with and without control of the ball (Narazaki et al., 2009;Aschendorf et al., 2019;Stojanović et al., 2019;Vretaros, 2021). In addition, it is highlighted that these tasks are linked to maximum strength, muscular power, speed, motor coordination and agility (Figueiredo et al., 2015;Townsend et al., 2019). ...
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Full-text available
Acquiring good levels of physical fitness in women's basketball is crucial for success in this complex sport. Thus, the objective of the research is to compare the level of physical fitness in women's basketball between different competitive categories through a systematic review. For this purpose, four databases were consulted (Google Scholar, PubMed, Scielo and LILACS) in Portuguese, Spanish and/or English, in which 32 primary scientific articles were found on physical fitness in women's basketball in the competitive categories and 51 manuscripts complementary secondary about the theme. Physical fitness indicators are divided into anthropometric, metabolic and neuromuscular. Each indicator has a series of variables whose sum will allow us to understand the athlete's actual physical fitness status. The physical training of female players follows the same guidelines as male athletes, but three aspects deserve attention when prescribing programs: menstrual cycle, eating disorders and bone mineral loss. In addition, cardiovascular and neuromuscular characteristics distinguish genders and interfere with physical fitness gains. In general results, professional basketball players presented better averages in the group of indicators (63.1%), followed by formative (21.0%), college (10.5%) and semi-professional (5.26%) players. Finally, it was evident that as female players progress in chronological age, they mature biologically and acquire training support, advancing between the competitive categories. In this way, your physical fitness comes to denote improvement. However, there is a large individual biological variability that impacts the average numbers between the indicators.
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El objetivo de este estudio fue relacionar variables del salto con contramovimiento (SCM) y tirón isométrico de medio muslo (TIMM) con el rendimiento de la capacidad de repetir sprint (CRS) en futbolistas profesionales y determinar las diferencias en SCM y TIMM de acuerdo con el rendimiento de CRS de los futbolistas. Fueron evaluados 54 futbolistas profesionales (edad media = 23.1 ± 5.1 años) en que se analizaron las correlaciones a través del coeficiente de Pearson. Posteriormente, se dividió al grupo por sobre (SM; N=27) y debajo (BM; N=27) la mediana según el rendimiento en CRS en tres variables y se utilizó la prueba t de student para muestras independientes. Se obtuvieron correlaciones significativas (p ≤ 0.05) de bajas a moderadas (r= -0.27; -0,30; -0.31; 0.46 y 0.42) en variables de diferencias significativas (p ≤ 0.05) de moderadas a grandes a favor de SM en variables de potencia, tiempo de contacto, y peak de fuerza relativa para SM y diferencias significativas (p ≤ 0.05) de moderadas a grandes en peak de fuerza el índice de fuerza dinámica a favor de BM. En conclusión, existe una relación entre variables de potencia y fuerza isométrica relativa con el rendimiento en CRS en futbolistas profesionales.
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Introduction: Sprinting is a key component in the development and final results in many individual and team sports. According to recent findings on the mechanical determinants of sprint performance, resistance sprinting (RSS) may be a suitable method to improve sprint performance in the acceleration and maximum velocity phases. Methods: Sports science students (183.6 ± 5.1 cm; 85.8 ± 6.8 kg; 24.5 ± .9 yrs), who are primarily involved in collective sports, performed two-day testing. The first testing included tests of maximal strength, isometric mid-tight pull (IMTP) and explosive lower limb strength, countermovement jump with no arm movement (CMJ). The second testing was completed 48 hours later and included unresisted sprint (URS) and resisted sprint (RSS) over 20 m with three different resistances (8 oz, 12 oz, 2 lb). Results: A significant correlation was found between CMJ and speed tests (URS, RSS 8 oz, RSS 12 oz). The same applied for the relationship with IMTP and speed tests, with only one difference being that IMTP correlated also with RSS 2 lb (r = -0.58). However, observing the relationship of velocity decrease (Vdec) and performance parameters, showed the highest correlation between Vdec 8 oz and URS 20 m (r = -0.572), and also between Vdec 12 oz and CMJ (r = -0.370). At Vdec 2 lb, of all the performance parameters, IMTP (r = -0.260) was the only one which correlated. Conclusion: The results of the study demonstrate a relationship between CMJ and IMTP with unresisted sprint. Also between maximal strength test, IMTP and heavy resisted sprint.
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Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are significant injuries in elite-level basketball players. In-game statistical performance after ACL reconstruction has been demonstrated; however, few studies have reviewed functional performance in National Basketball Association (NBA)-caliber athletes after ACL reconstruction. Purpose: To compare NBA Combine performance of athletes after ACL reconstruction with an age-, size-, and position-matched control group of players with no previous reported knee injury requiring surgery. We hypothesized that there is no difference between the 2 groups in functional performance. Study design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 1092 NBA-caliber players who participated in the NBA Combine between 2000 and 2015 were reviewed. Twenty-one athletes were identified as having primary ACL reconstruction prior to participation in the combine. This study group was compared with an age-, size-, and position-matched control group in objective functional performance testing, including the shuttle run test, lane agility test, three-quarter court sprint, vertical jump (no step), and maximum vertical jump (running start). Results: With regard to quickness and agility, both ACL-reconstructed athletes and controls scored an average of 11.5 seconds in the lane agility test and 3.1 seconds in the shuttle run test (P = .745 and .346, respectively). Speed and acceleration was measured by the three-quarter court sprint, in which both the study group and the control group averaged 3.3 seconds (P = .516). In the maximum vertical jump, which demonstrates an athlete's jumping ability with a running start, the ACL reconstruction group had an average height of 33.6 inches while the controls averaged 33.9 inches (P = .548). In the standing vertical jump, the ACL reconstruction group averaged 28.2 inches while the control group averaged 29.2 inches (P = .067). Conclusion: In athletes who are able to return to sport and compete at a high level such as the NBA Combine, there is no significant difference in any combine performance test between players who have had primary ACL reconstruction compared with an age-, size-, and position-matched control group. Clinical relevance: Athletes with previous ACL reconstruction who are able to return to high-level professional basketball have equivalent performance measures with regard to speed, quickness, and jumping ability as those athletes who have not undergone knee surgery.
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Objectives: The aim of this investigation was to assess the use of isometric strength testing as a determinant of sprint and change of direction performance in collegiate athletes. Design and Methods: Fourteen male collegiate athletes (mean ± SD; age = 21 ± 2.4 years; height =176 ± 9.0 cm; body mass = 72.8 ± 9.4 kg) participated in the study. Maximal strength was assessed via an isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP). Isometric mid-thigh pull testing involved trials with peak force (IPF), maximum rate of force development (mRFD), impulse at 100 ms (IP 100) and 300 ms (IP 300) determined. Sprint and COD performance was measured using 5-and 20-m sprint performance, and a modified 505 test. Relationships between variables (IMTP, sprint and COD) were analysed using Pearson's product – moment correlation. Results: Results suggest that IP 300 displayed the strongest relationships with 5-and 20-m sprint performance (r = −0.51 and −0.54, respectively). The results demonstrate maximum force production measures during IMTP correlate to sprint and COD ability in collegiate athletes. Conclusion: Isometric mid-thigh pull force-time measures are related to athletic performance (acceleration and sprinting), and thus are recommended for use in athlete monitoring and assessment. (Journal of Trainology 2015;4:6-10)
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The power clean is a component of the clean and jerk Olympic lift and is also commonly utilised in training programs for several sports. Few studies have explored electromyographical (EMG) activation of the major muscles used during this exercise. The aim of the present study was to examine muscle activation during the power clean for the following muscles: gastrocnemius (GS), vastus lateralis (VL), transversus abdominis (TA), multifidus (MU), erector spinae (ES) and trapezius (TR). Eight experienced lifters performed five maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) exercises followed by three sets of three power clean repetitions at 70%, 80% and 90% 1RM. There was a significant increase with load for peak EMG of ES and GS and mean EMG of GS and VL. This suggests that athletes targeting the ES, GS and VL in their strength training could potentially benefit by increasing intensity from 70 to 90%. There was no evidence to suggest that this intensity increase benefits the TA and MU muscles. The power clean produced significantly higher peak values than the MVC exercises for the MU and ES muscles, suggesting that it could be used as both a strength training exercise for these muscles and an MVC exercise in future studies.
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Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the relationships between isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) force and strength, sprint, and agility performance in collegiate rugby union players. Methods: Fifteen members of a champion-level university's club rugby union team (mean±SD: 20.67±1.23y, 1.78±0.06m, and 86.51±14.18kg) participated in this investigation. One repetition-maximal (1RM) squat, IMTP, speed (40m sprint), and agility (pro-agility test and T-test) were performed during three separate testing sessions. Rate of force development (RFD) and force output at 30ms, 50ms, 90ms, 100ms, 150ms, 200ms and 250ms of IMTP, as well as the peak value were determined. Pearson product-moment correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between these measures. Results: Performance in the 1RM squat was significantly correlated to the RFD between 90ms - 250ms from the start of contraction (r's ranging from 0.595 - 0.748), and peak force (r = 0.866, p<0.05). 1RM squat was also correlated to force outputs between 90ms and 250ms (r's ranging from 0.757 - 0.816, p<0.05). Sprint time over the first 5m in the 40m sprint was significantly (p<0.05) correlated with peak RFD (r = -0.539) and RFD between 30ms and 50ms (r's = -0.570 and -0.527, respectively). Time for the pro-agility test was correlated with peak RFD (r = -0.523, p<0.05) and RFD between 30ms - 100ms (r's ranging from -0.518 and -0.528, p's<0.05). Conclusions: Results of this investigation indicate that IMTP variables are significantly associated with strength, agility and sprint performance. Future studies should examine IMTP as a potential tool to monitor athletic performance during the daily training of rugby union players.
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Change of direction (COD) and agility require the integration of multiple components to produce a faster performance. However, the mechanisms contributing to a faster performance without the confounding factor of athlete expertise or gender is currently unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess body composition, strength and kinetic profile required for a faster COD and agility performance across multiple directional changes. Six faster and six slower (n=12) elite female basketball athletes completed a maximal dynamic back squat; eccentric and concentric only back squat; isometric mid-thigh pull; whole body scan to determine lean, fat and total mass; 505 COD test; T-Test; and a multidirectional agility test over in-ground force plates to obtain relevant kinetic measures. Group (faster and slower) by test (2x3) MANOVA's with follow up ANOVA's were conducted to examine differences between faster and slower groups and each COD and agility test (p ≤ 0.05). Faster athletes during the 505 COD test produced significantly greater vertical force (p = 0.002) and eccentric and isometric strength capacity (p = 0.001). Faster agility and T-Test athletes demonstrated significantly shorter contact times (p = 0.001), greater propulsive impulse (p = 0.02), isometric strength, and relative lean mass compared to slower athletes. Differences between faster athletes across each test appear to be attributed to the mechanical demands of the directional change, increasing force and impulse application as the degree of directional change increased. These findings indicate that different mechanical properties are required to produce a faster COD and agility performances, and the importance of a greater strength capacity to enable greater mechanical adjustment via force production and body control, during different directional changes.
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SUMMARY: THE ABILITY TO EXPRESS HIGH POWER OUTPUTS IS CONSIDERED TO BE ONE OF THE FOUNDATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS UNDERLYING SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE IN A VARIETY OF SPORTING ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING JUMPING, THROWING, AND CHANGING DIRECTION. NUMEROUS TRAINING INTERVENTIONS HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED TO ENHANCE THE ATHLETE'S ABILITY TO EXPRESS HIGH POWER OUTPUTS AND IMPROVE THEIR OVERALL SPORTS PERFORMANCE CAPACITY. THIS BRIEF REVIEW EXAMINES THE FACTORS THAT UNDERLIE THE EXPRESSION OF POWER AND VARIOUS METHODS THAT CAN BE USED TO MAXIMIZE POWER DEVELOPMENT. (C) 2012 National Strength and Conditioning Association