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Journal of Exercise Science & Physiotherapy, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2017
ISSN: 0973-2020 (Print) I2OR Impact Factor = 5.23 UGC Approved [no.20489] ISSN: 2454-6089
(Online)
53
Biomechanical Analysis of Explosive Strength of Legs of Athletes
Baljinder Singh, Ashok Kumar and M.D. Ranga
Abstract
Aim: The purpose of the study was to analyze the explosive strength variables of legs of
athletes of different sports. Method: The study was conducted on 45 male players (fifteen
handball players; age: 15.80 ± 0.68 years, fifteen football players; age: 16.13 ± 0.83 years &
fifteen basketball players; age: 16.40 ± 0.83 years) of Punjab State coaches in Patiala
(India).Results: The results of the study shows that the basketball players performed better in
explosive strength parameters like the squat jump flight time, squat jump height, counter
movement jump height, counter movement flight time, peak power (45-60sec) and mean
power (0-60sec), then the football and handball players. The least performance was recorded
by the handball players. The results also indicate that there was a highly significant
correlation exists among the various explosive strength variables. Conclusion: The explosive
strength variables measurement could be used by coaches to plan or adjust the training
program of athletes.
Baljinder Singh
Biomechanics Scientist, Punjab State Institute of Sports,
Mohali, Punjab, India
E-mail: bali007@rediffmail.com
Ashok Kumar
Associate Professor
Department of Sports Science, Punjabi University Patiala,
Punjab, India
M. D. Ranga
Senior Scientific Officer, Department of Biomechanics,
SAI NS NIS Patiala, Punjab, India
Key Words: Explosive Strength,
Vertical Jump Performance, Peak
Power, Muscular Power
DOI: 10.18376/jesp/2017/v13/i1/111271
Introduction
The explosive strength is an action that is accomplished with maximum effort in a minimum
amount of time. The basis for explosive strength is in speed-strength, a physical quality displayed in
many sports skills such as jumping for maximum height (Rousanoglou et al., 2008), hitting for
maximum power or distance (Silvia et al., 2009), running at top speed (Sannicandro et al., 2014),
throwing for maximum distance or power (Samah, 2016) and kicking for distance or power (Nurper
O., 2015). Successful sporting performance at elite levels of competition often depends heavily on
the explosive leg power of the athletes (Cabri et al.,1988; Bangsbo, 1994, Stølen et al., 2005, Silvia
et al., 2009). Coaches and trainers are greatly interested in developing training techniques designed
to improve and measure the explosive strength and power performance of the legs of the athletes
(Blattner, Stuart 1978, Haff et al., 2015). Vertical Jump (VJ) has widely been used by sports
performance professionals as direct assessment method to measure the explosive strength in the
lower limbs (Arteaga et al., 2000, Hara et al., 2006, Sargent 1921, Bosco et a;l., 1983) and to know
the effectiveness of training programs (Hara et al., 2006, Peterson et al., 2006, Nicole et al. 2015).
The VJ performance is a complex movement including several factors i.e. the maximal force
developed by the muscles, the rate of force developed and the neuromuscular coordination of the
upper and lower body segments ((Brian R.1998, Hopkins 2000, Sargent 1921). Some common
explosive strength measures calculated from the VJ tests are the peak power (PP) or mean power
(MP). Power is the product of muscular force and velocity or as an instantaneous value during a
given movement. The latter, often referred to as peak power (PP), is typically associated with
Journal of Exercise Science & Physiotherapy, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2017
ISSN: 0973-2020 (Print) I2OR Impact Factor = 5.23 UGC Approved [no.20489] ISSN: 2454-6089
(Online)
54
explosive strength movements such as sprinting, jumping and may be an important variable
associated with success in a given sport discipline. The measurement of PP or explosive strength by
strength and conditioning-coaches is an important consideration in the training process. Changes in
PP throughout the annual plan may be indicative of training status or adaptation to the workload
and could be used to plan or adjust the training program based on the athlete’s performance. The
knowledge of explosive strength components of lower extremities of athletes of selected game
disciplines can be of great interest for coaches and sport scientists to optimize talent selection in
many sports disciplines. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to measure, compare and find the
relationship between the explosive strength variables of legs of athletes of different sports.
Materials and Methods
Forty five (n=45) male players (fifteen handball players; age: 15.80 ± 0.68 years, fifteen football
players; age: 16.13 ± 0.83 years & fifteen basketball players; age: 16.40 ± 0.83 years) briefed for
the purpose of the study and the experimental protocol (Bosco et al., 1983, Mcguigan et al., 2006)
comprising of players training under the guidance of Punjab State coaches in Patiala (India). All the
risks involved were also explained to each player and voluntary consent was taken from them. Each
volunteer was first subjected to physical examination that include measurements of corporal data
like date of birth, age, training age, height, body mass and sports discipline. The vertical jump test
or explosive strength measurement system consisted of a portable hand-held computer unit
connected to a contact mat (Swift Performance, New South Wales, Australia) (Figure 1). It has been
previously reported that the system is reliable compared with a force platform (Cronin et al., 2001).
Three jumps: Squat jump (SJ), Counter movement jump (CMJ) and Continuous vertical jump Test
for 60 seconds (CVJT) were performed by the subjects according to the experimental protocol
(Bosco et al., 1983, Mcguigan et al., 2006) (Figure 2). The participants performed an adaptation
process prior to the vertical jump test so that error could be minimized. The participants were told
to perform a 15-minute routine warm-up before performing the tests through stretching, running,
coordination exercises and consecutive jumps (two sets of five vertical jumps). Three squat jumps
(SJ) and three counter movement jumps (CMJ) were performed in random order on a jump mat
connected to an electronic timer without the aid of an arm swing; this was standardized by having
participants hold their hands on their hips. Two minutes rest period between attempts was
established. The SJ involved the subject flexing the knee to approximately 90 degree maintaining
the position for 3 seconds, and then jumping on the command ‘‘go.’’ The CMJ was performed
under the same conditions but involved flexion of the knee followed immediately by extension of
the legs. Test was executed following the original protocol for both jumps (Sayers SP, et al., 1999).
On the next day, again the participants performed a 15-minute routine warm-up before the tests
through stretching, running, coordination exercises and consecutive jumps (two sets of five vertical
jumps).The participants were told to perform the continuous vertical jump Test (CVJT) during a
work performed at maximal effort, with no pauses between jumps for 60 seconds. The subjects
were told to keep chest in vertical position, with no excessive advance to avoid influence in the
results; as well as to keep knees in extension during the flight, remaining with hands around waist.
The participants were given stimulus to jump the highest as possible during the tests.
Journal of Exercise Science & Physiotherapy, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2017
ISSN: 0973-2020 (Print) I2OR Impact Factor = 5.23 UGC Approved [no.20489] ISSN: 2454-6089
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Figure 1. Portable Contact Timing Mat System (Thermal Printer, Thermal Paper,
Stop Watch, Contact Mat, Data Cable, Data Recording Unit)
Figure 2. Squat Jump Test measurement with Contact Timing Mat System
Explosive Strength Variables
The biomechanical variables of three vertical jump tests i.e. squat jump height and squat jump flight
time, counter movement jump height and counter movement jump flight time, eccentric utilization
ratio, elasticity index, peak power (0-15sec), peak power (45-60sec), mean power (0-60sec) and
fatigue index were calculated. The Eccentric Utilization Ratio (EUR) was calculated from vertical
jump height (CMJ/SJ) or peak power (CMJ/SJ) by using Sayers et al (1999) peak power formula
(Mcguigan et al., 2006). Muscle Elasticity index was calculated from the jump height reached in
CMJ and SJ Jumps (CMJ – SJ *100 / SJ) (Francisco et al., 2010, 2011, Pradas et al., 2013, Lara et
al, 2006). The explosive strength and endurance variables were power peak (PP), mean power (MP)
and fatigue index (FI). Concerning the CVJT (continuous vertical jump test), the Peak Power was
estimated by the mechanical power produced in the first 15 seconds of a 60-second work. The
Journal of Exercise Science & Physiotherapy, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2017
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Mean Power was estimated by the amount of work during a 60-second continuous effort. For PP
and MP, the results were expressed in watts/kg (W/kg), according to the equation described by
Bosco et al. (1983) (Bosco et al., 1983, Kirkendall et al., 1986, Kums et al., 2005, Jefferson et al.,
2006, 2007). The fatigue index (FI) was calculated as the difference between the power peak (work
produced in the first 15 seconds) and the mean power generated in the last 15 seconds of a
continuous vertical jump work of 60 seconds relative to first 15 seconds peak power. The result was
expressed in percentage (%) (Jefferson et al., 2006, 2007, Kums et al., 2005). The following
formulas were used to calculate various biomechanical variables related to jump tests:
1. Peak Power or Mean Power (W) = (Ft×Ts×g2) / 4n (Ts - Ft) (Bosco et al., 1983, Kirkendall et al.,
1986, Kums et al., 2005, Jefferson et al., 2006, 2007)
The average power generated (W) is calculated from the test duration (Ts) from 0 to 60 second, the
number of jumps (n), total flight time (Ft) and where g is the acceleration due to gravity. The unit of
mechanical power per mass unit is Watts per kg (W/kg).
2. Eccentric Utilization Ratio (EUR) = vertical jump height (CMJ/SJ) or peak power (CMJ/SJ)
(Mcguigan et al., 2006)
3. Muscle Elasticity Index (EI): [(CMJ-SJ)/SJ]*100) (Francisco et al., 2010, 2011, Pradas et al.,
2013, Lara et al, 2006)
4. Fatigue Index (FI): Peak Power (0-15sec) - Mean Power (45-60sec)/Peak Power (0-15sec) ×100
(Jefferson et al., 2006, 2007, Kums et al., 2005)
Mean and standard deviation for all the attributes age, height, body mass and biomechanical
transients related to explosive strength of legs were calculated. To observe the difference and
relationship in the means of the various anthropometric and biomechanical variables among
different sports, One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Scheffe Post Hoc Test and Karl
Pearson’s coefficient of correlation tests were applied with the help of SPSS software.
Results
Table 1 shows that the basketball players performed better in explosive strength parameters like the
squat jump height, squat jump flight time, counter movement jump height, counter movement flight
time, peak power (45-60sec) and mean power (0-60sec), then the football and handball players. The
football players recorded the highest values in the peak power (0-15sec), which showed that this
game require more explosive power at the start of the movement. The least performance in the tests
was recorded by the handball players.
Table 2 shows the significant difference in the selected biomechanical variables of explosive
strength after applying the Scheffe Post Hoc test among the handball, football and basketball
players.
Tables 3 shows that there is a highly significant correlation exists between the various
anthropometric and biomechanical variables of combined group (N=45).
Table 1. Descriptive Statistics of Anthropometric and Biomechanical Variables
of Players of Different Sports
Variables
Handball
N=15
(Mean±SD)
Football
N=15
(Mean±SD)
N=15
(Mean±SD)
Total Sample
N=45
(Mean±SD)
A
ge
(years)
15.80±0.68
16.13±0.83
16.40±0.83
16.11±0.80
H
eight
(c
m)
175.87±5.18
174.40±4.36
181.87±6.29
177.38±6.15
W
eight
(kg)
58.40±6.97
56.13±4.42
64.60±8.61
59.71±7.64
Journal of Exercise Science & Physiotherapy, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2017
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SJ
-
JH(cm)
25.47±3.87
26.93±5.61
32.53±4.36
28.31±5.51
SJ
-
FT(sec)
0.46±0.03
0.47±0.04
0.52±0.03
0.48±0.04
CMJ
-
JH(cm)
28.80±3.12
30.00±5.79
35.
00±4.28
31.27±5.19
CMJ
-
FT(sec)
0.48±0.02
0.49±0.04
0.53±0.03
0.50±0.04
EUR
1.10±0.06
1.09±0.05
1.06±0.04
1.08±0.05
EI
13.97±9.36
11.88±6.75
7.81±5.02
11.22±7.55
PP15(w/kg)
15.81±3.13
20.03±4.37
19.90±3.74
18.58±4.19
PP45(w/kg)
11.77±2.70
13.52±2.
63
14.25±3.52
13.18±3.10
MP60(w/kg)
13.61±2.41
15.96±2.23
16.81±3.17
15.46±2.92
FI
23.57±18.66
31.16±13.87
27.99±13.76
27.57±15.56
SJ- Squat Jump; SJFT- Squat Jump Flight Time; CMJJH- Counter Movement Jump Jump-Height;
CMJFT-Counter; Movement Jump Flight Time; EUR-Eccentric Utilization Ratio; EI-Elasticity
Index; PP- Peak Power; MP- Mean; Power; FI - Fatigue Index
Table 2. Scheffe Post Hoc Analysis of Biomechanical Variables of Players of Different Sports
Dependent Variable
(I)
Groups
(J)
Groups
M
ean
Difference (I-J)
Sig.
SJJH
Handball
Football
-
1.4667
.693
Basketball
-
7.0667*
.001
Football
Basketball
-
5.6000*
.008
SJFT
Handball
Football
-
1.2800E
-
02
.646
Basketball
-
5.9400E
-
02*
.000
Football
Basketball
-
4.6600E
-
02*
.006
CMJH
Ha
ndball
Football
-
1.2000
.770
Basketball
-
6.2000*
.002
Football
Basketball
-
5.0000*
.016
CNMJFT
Handball
Football
-
9.8667E
-
03
.766
Basketball
-
4.9267E
-
02*
.003
Football
Basketball
-
3.9400E
-
02*
.020
PP15
Handball
Football
-
4.2145*
.015
Basketball
-
4.0879*
.019
Football
Basketball
.1267
.996
MP60
Handball
Football
-
2.3582
.060
Basketball
-
3.2068*
.007
Football
Basketball
-
.8486
.680
*The mean difference is significant at the .05 level.
SJ- Squat Jump; SJFT- Squat Jump Flight Time; CMJJH- Counter Movement Jump Jump-Height;
CMJFT- Counter; Movement Jump Flight Time; PP- Peak Power; MP- Mean
Table 3. Correlation Matrix of various Anthropometric and Biomechanical
Variables of Players of Different Sports (N=45)
Variables
SJJH
S
JFT
CMJH
CNMJFT
EUR
EI
PP15
PP45
MP60
FI
A
ge
(years)
.187
.193
.183
.174
-
.165
-
.095
-
.018
.004
.027
.027
H
eight
(cm)
.449**
.464**
.459**
.451**
-
.221
-
.172
.030
-
.134
-
.031
.147
W
eight
(kg)
.334*
.333*
.289
.297*
-
.399**
-
.208
.080
-
.096
-
.014
.152
SJJH
-
.992**
.952**
.949**
-
.515**
-
.542**
.553**
.539**
.589**
-
.007
SJFT
-
.950**
.952**
-
.502**
-
.533**
.559**
.505**
.576**
.037
Journal of Exercise Science & Physiotherapy, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2017
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CMJH
-
.991**
-
.238
-
.264
.539**
.472**
.535**
.047
CNMJFT
-
-
.257
-
.283
.527**
.457**
.528**
.061
EUR
-
.965**
-
.244
-
.353*
-
.350*
.135
EI
-
-
.289
-
.380*
-
.398**
.109
PP15
-
.517**
.804**
.436**
PP45
-
.873**
-
.516**
MP60
-
-
.102
*Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level, **Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level.
Discussion
The explanation of the results of this study can be sought from the different mechanical behaviour
of the leg extensor muscle variables involved during the vertical jump tests performed by players of
different sports disciplines. The power output recorded during the jumping test does not measure
only the power of the chemo-mechanical conversion but also use the mechanical energy stored in
the elastic elements of the body (Cavagna et al. 1971, 1972; Asmussen and Bonde-Petersen 1974a,
1974b; Thys et al. 1972, 1975; Komi and Bosco 1979; Bosco et al. 1981b, 1981c). The findings of
the present study revealed that there is a significant difference exists in the various biomechanical
variables of vertical jump tests conducted on football, basketball and handball players. Differences
obtained in the variables of vertical jump tests could be due to genetic factors and acute or
prolonged effects of training regimen (Ostojic et al., 2010). Francisco et al., (2010) observed that
the average squat jump height 15.8±4.2cm, flight time 357±44.4msec, counter movement jump
height 16.9±4.8cm, flight time 369.0±49.9msec and elasticity index 7.1±3.2 for male table tennis
players (age 11.32±1.82 years). Whereas in the present study the highest values of SJ and CMJ
were registered by the basketball players i.e. squat jump height was 32.53±4.36cm, flight time
520±30msec and mean counter movement jump height 35.00±4.28cm, flight time 530±30msec was
observed. The Eccentric Utilization Ration (EUR) has been suggested as a useful indicator of power
performance in athletes. A high EUR means that an athlete has a high capacity to store potential
energy in the elastic components of the tendons and muscle and then release this energy when the
tendon and muscle is shortened. McGuigan et al., (2006) observed the average value of Eccentric
Utilization Ration (EUR) 1.03±0.20 for male soccer players, 1.00 ±0.17 for softball male players,
1.03±0.20 for football male players & 1.01±0.20 for rugby male players. In the present study the
highest values of EUR and elasticity index were registered by the handball players i.e. EUR was
1.10±0.06 and EI was 13.97±9.36. Additional data by McGuigan et al (2006) demonstrated a
significant difference between the EUR measured during the off-season and the EUR measured
during the pre-season period for field hockey players. Coaches could quickly and easily conduct the
necessary jump tests to determine an athlete’s EUR and predict the athlete’s readiness for
competition. Francisco et al., (2010) observed that the elasticity index was higher in female players
than in male players.The highest values of average Peak Power (0-15sec) in CVJT was registered
by the football players i.e. 20.03±4.37W/kg, highest average Mean Power (0-60sec) was registered
by the basketball players i.e. 16.81±3.17W/kg and highest fatigue index value was registered by the
handball players i.e. 23.57±18.66. Bosco et al. (1983) found that average Mean Power (0-60sec) for
school going Boys (age 17.3±0.8 years) was 22.2±1.8 W/kg. Jefferson et al., (2007) found the
average Peak Power (0-15sec) 27.76±3.78w/kg, Mean Power (0-60sec) 19.56±2.59w/kg & fatigue
index (%) (FI) 48.60±7.01 for male volleyball players (age 19.01±1.36 years). In another study by
Jefferson et al., (2006) of the Intermittent vertical jump tests (IVJT) observed the average Peak
Power was (0-15sec) 24.68±2.70w/kg, Mean Power (0-60sec) 18.79±2.23w/kg & fatigue index (%)
57.50±9.51 for the male handball and basketball players (age of handball players 25.74±4.71years
Journal of Exercise Science & Physiotherapy, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2017
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& basketball players 18.60±0.77years). Jefferson et al., (2006, 2007) found the similar results of
mean power, peak power in two studies conducted on volleyball, handball and basketball players.
These results are in accordance with a study conducted by Viitasalo et al., (1987) which showed
that the mechanical power, as well as power related to body weight, increased with calendar and
skeletal ages. Similar studies were conducted by the researchers to find out the relationship among
the different mechanical and explosive strength variables of legs (Bosco et al., 1983, Hoffman et al.,
2000, 2002, Purvi et al., 2012, Veeramani S., 2015, Ana et al., 2015, Gorostiaga, et al., 2002).
Conclusion
In conclusion, based on the above considerations, the reported jumping test might offer the
possibility of evaluating the explosive strength or mechanical power of the leg extensor muscles
during explosive stretch-shortening type exercises, which involve both metabolic and mechanical
behavior of skeletal muscles. The knowledge of explosive strength components of lower extremities
of athletes of different game disciplines will help coaches and sport scientists to optimize talent
selection for different sport disciplines. Very few studies have done on the measurement and
comparison of explosive strength of legs of players of same age of different sports disciplines of
Indian athletic population so far. Therefore the results of this study will serve as guidelines for
coaches, trainers, players and other sports scientists working with athletes for monitoring the effect
of sports training, adaptation to workload and recovery.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank coaches and players who participated and help in the data collection for this
study.
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Conflict of Interest: None declared
... It is used as an indicator for forearm strength (4), whole body skeletal muscle mass (5,6), lower extremity strength (7,8), onset of sarcopenia (9), nutritional index, cardiovascular health and diseases (10), health of rotator cuff muscles (11), and overall body physical activity performance (4). On the other hand, lep is a determinant of successful sporting performance in basketball players (12). The measurement of lep by coaches through strength and conditioning programs has been used as an indicator to determine athlete`s performance level to workload during the training regime (12). ...
... On the other hand, lep is a determinant of successful sporting performance in basketball players (12). The measurement of lep by coaches through strength and conditioning programs has been used as an indicator to determine athlete`s performance level to workload during the training regime (12). Quite commonly, the vertical jump performance (vjp) is used to measure both vertical jumping distance and power output of athletes (12,13). ...
... The measurement of lep by coaches through strength and conditioning programs has been used as an indicator to determine athlete`s performance level to workload during the training regime (12). Quite commonly, the vertical jump performance (vjp) is used to measure both vertical jumping distance and power output of athletes (12,13). The lep measured by means of vertical jump is said to be highly dependent on the maximum power of the leg extensor muscles in basketball players (14). ...
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The aim of the present study was to examine how to speed, explosive strength, and kicking speed are affected by a 10-week plyometric training (PT) program in elite female soccer players. Twenty adult players from Women First League (age=19.3±1.6year, height=163.3±4.7cm, body mass=56.6±6.1kg) were divided into plyometric group (PG) and control group (CG). Both the groups performed technical and tactical training and matches together. PG performed PT 2 times per week for 10 weeks. No significant difference was found between the groups at pretest variable (p>0.05). The significant improvement was found in the posttest of both groups (p<0.05), except for 10-20-m sprint test in the CG (p>0.05). Sprint, counter movement jump, standing broad jump, peak power and kicking speed test values were all significantly improved in the PG, as compared with the CG (p<0.05). The results indicated that safe and effective PT can be useful to strength and conditioning coaches for explosive strength.
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different rest intervals following whole-body vibration on counter-movement vertical jump performance. Sixteen females, eight recreationally trained and eight varsity athletes volunteered to participate in four testing visits separated by 24 h. Visit one acted as a familiarization visit where subjects were introduced to the counter-movement vertical jump and whole-body vibration protocols. Visits 2–4 contained 2 randomized conditions. Whole-body vibration was administered in four bouts of 30 s with 30 s rest between bouts. During whole-body vibration subjects performed a quarter squat every 5 s, simulating a counter-movement vertical jump. Whole-body vibration was followed by three counter-movement vertical jumps with five different rest intervals between the vibration exposure and jumping. For a control condition, subjects performed squats with no whole-body vibration. There was a significant (p < 0.05) main effect for time for vertical jump height, peak power output, and relative ground reaction forces, where a majority of individuals max jump from all whole-body vibration conditions was greater than the control condition. There were significant (p < 0.05) group differences, showing that varsity athletes had a greater vertical jump height and peak power output OPEN ACCESS Sports 2015, 3 259 compared to recreationally trained females. There were no significant (p > 0.05) group differences for relative ground reaction forces. Practitioners and/or strength and conditioning coaches may utilize whole-body vibration to enhance acute counter-movement vertical jump performance after identifying individuals optimal rest time in order to maximize the potentiating effects.
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Introduction. Table tennis is an individual and asymmetric sport in which a great number of shots are performed at high speed developing high levels of muscular power. The aim of this study was to determine the power of leg extensor muscles in young top-level table tennis players. Methods. A total of 63 players (38 males and 25 females), aged between 10 and 13 years and members of Spanish National Team have been included in the study. After 15-min of easy cycling (cycloergometer Monark 810) subjects randomly carried out three attempts on SJ test and three more on CMJ test (Newtest® contact map). A rest period of two minutes was established between attempts. The test was executed for both jumps following the original protocol. The measured variables were jump height (cm), flight time (ms), power (W), and elasticity index. A t-test for independent samples was performed to examine statistical differences between sex groups. Results. All variables measured on SJ and CMJ tests showed higher values in female than in male players (with exception of the flight time). Also, data related to CMJ were higher than those registered in SJ, independently from the sex factor (see table below). The elasticity index was higher in female players than in male players. Conclusions. Although within the tested age interval, sex differences in generating muscle power are not clear, higher values in female players have been registered for all variables measured, with exception of the elasticity index.
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The aim of this study was to examine the effect of an 8-week combined jump and ball throwing training program in the performance of upper and lower extremities among young female volleyball players of the high school. A total of 20 young female volleyball players playing at Scholar Sport in High School at the district level were divided in two groups: the experimental group (n=10; 14.0±0.0 years; 1.6±0.1m; 52.0±7.0kg and 20.7±2.4% body mass) and the control group (n=10; 13.8±0.4 years, 1.6±0.1m; 53.5±4.7kg and 20.3±1.7% body mass). The experimental group received additional plyometric and ball throwing exercises besides their normal volleyball practice. The control group underwent only their regular session of training. Strength performance in the experimental group significantly improved (medicine ball and volleyball ball throwing: P=0.00; and counter movement jump: P=0.05), with the improvement ranging from 5.3% to 20.1%. No significant changes in strength performance were observed in the control group (P>0.05). The 8-week combined jump and ball throwing training can significantly improve muscular performance in young female volleyball players. These findings may be useful for all physical education teachers and volleyball coaches. Copyright © 2015 Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. Production and hosting by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.
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O propósito deste estudo foi verificar a existência de diferenças entre o teste de salto vertical com natureza contínua de 60 segundos (TSVC) e o teste de salto vertical com natureza intermitente de quatro séries de 15 segundos (TSVI). Os dados foram obtidos através de amostra composta por 10 voleibolistas do sexo masculino (19,01 ± 1,36 anos; 191,5 ± 5,36cm; e 81,74 ± 7,45kg), todos com participação voluntária. As variáveis estudadas foram: as estimativas do pico de potência (PP), potência média (PM) e o índice de fadiga (IF). O desempenho estimado através dos testes TSVC, com duração de 60 segundos, e o TSVI foi determinado em quatro séries de 15 segundos, com 10 segundos de recuperação entre cada série. Os dados foram determinados através da estatística descritiva e do teste de Wilcoxon; o nível de significância utilizado foi de p < 0,05. Foi possível averiguar entre os testes diferenças estatisticamente significantes no desempenho da PM (p < 0,05) e o IF (p < 0,01). A PM apresentou valores médios no TSVI significativamente superiores aos do TSVC. No entanto, os testes TSVC e o TSVI diferiram na estimativa da resistência de força explosiva.
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Of particular interest in this study was identifying the critical determinants of court performance as measured by multidirectional agility, single leg jump and lunge performance. Flexibility, strength, power and anthropometric assessments were performed on forty athletic subjects these measurements used as the independent variables in multiple regression analysis. A forward lunge, modified T-test and single leg jump were used as measures of functional court performance and used as the dependent variables in the regression analysis. The models differed however, according to whether each dependent variable was expressed relative to body mass or taken as an absolute value. The best single predictors of functional court performance included peak power (r = 0.62), relative strength (r = 0.44), time to peak force (r = -0.61 to -0.74), leg length (r = -0.59) and mean power (r = -0.77). The best two and three predictor statistical models accounted for 49-86% of the common variance associated with agility, single leg jump and lunge performance. Relative strength and mean and peak power were common in most models. Thus assessment and development of these strength components would seem fundamental to successful improvement of those functional tasks associated with court play. The models also indicated that flexibility and leg length were important determinants of success. It was concluded that the preoccupation of correlational studies to find the best strength predictors of functional performance is fundamentally flawed due to other factors such as body mass, flexibility and leg length having diverse effects on the statistical models.
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POWER-GENERATING CAPACITY SHOULD BE A PRIMARY TRAINING OUTCOME FOR FOOTBALL ATHLETES. THE ABILITY TO BE EXPLOSIVE AND USE HIGH LEVELS OF STRENGTH SEEMS TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN ATHLETES AND TEAMS. DEVELOPING TRAINING INTERVENTIONS THAT CAN IMPROVE BOTH STRENGTH- AND POWER-GENERATING CAPACITY WOULD THEREFORE BE CONSIDERED A PARAMOUNT ENDEAVOR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPTIMIZE THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PERFORMANCE ADAPTATIONS NECESSARY FOR COMPETITIVE SUCCESS. TOO OFTEN, STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACHES FORGET THAT THE FOUNDATION OF POWER-GENERATING CAPACITY IS IN FACT HIGH LEVELS OF MUSCULAR STRENGTH. WHEN THE DEVELOPMENT OF STRENGTH IS MINIMIZED OR EXCLUDED FROM THE TRAINING PLAN, THE ABILITY TO EXPRESS HIGH-POWER OUTPUTS IS COMPROMISED. IN ADDITION, A FAILURE TO USE SEQUENCED AND INTEGRATED TRAINING PROGRAMS DECREASES THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCCESSFULLY INCREASING STRENGTH- AND POWER-GENERATING CAPACITY, THUS DECREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR COMPETITIVE SUCCESS. THEREFORE, THIS BRIEF REVIEW ATTEMPTS TO EXPLAIN HOW STRENGTH- AND POWER-GENERATING CAPACITY CAN BE ENHANCED TO INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPING THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PERFORMANCE FOUNDATION NECESSARY FOR COMPETITIVE SUCCESS WITH THE FOOTBALL ATHLETE.