Differences in Force Gradation between Tug-of-War Athletes and Non-Athletes during Rhythmic Force Tracking at High Exertion Levels

Abstract

There is little knowledge regarding the force production capacities of tug-of-war athletes, who undergo years of high-load strength training on handgrip muscles. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the force-grading strategies of tug-of-war athletes by examining force fluctuation properties at high exertion levels. Sixteen tug-of-war athletes and sixteen sedentary non-athletes performed sinusoidal handgrip grip at 50%-100% of maximal effort at 0.5 Hz under visual guidance. Force outputs of the designate task were recorded with a strain gauge. Force fluctuations were separated from the rhythmic output of the target rate in the handgrip force. In addition to a comparable normalized tracking error, the tug-of-war athletes exhibited a greater mean force output (Fmean) and a higher ratio of mean force output (Fmean) to body mass than the non-athletes. The athletes also had lower approximate entropy (ApEn) and a lower mean frequency of force fluctuations than the non-athletes, despite a similar relative size of force fluctuations for the two groups. The scaling of the fundamental element (force pulses) of force fluctuations was also group-dependent, with a greater pulse gain (duration-amplitude regression slope) than the non-athletes. The tug-of-war athletes exhibited superior force-generating capacity and more economic force-grading as compared with the non-athletes, without additional costs to task accuracy and force steadiness, during a highly-demanding rhythmic force task.

Analysis of Tug of War Competition: A Narrative Complete Review

“…The main conclusion is that variation in the type, intensity, and volume of arm training throughout a year hardly affected the course of the force-velocity curve of the arm flexors of well-trained athletes [ 24 ]. The second research study analyzed the plyometric strength training effects of elite male tuggers, related to Defend Fast Break (DFB) and Attack Fast Break (AFB), before and after practice [ 25 ]. The parameters of DFB, which were the time of the peak pull force, the minimal pull force, the action response time and the average amount of force before and after the training, presented at significant levels.…”

Analysis of Tug of War Competition. A Narrative Complete Review

“…The first, analyzed the influence of specific types of muscle training, performed by previously well-trained competitive athletes, on the force-velocity of the arm flexors. In particular, 4 rowers, 5 athletes competing in TOW and 6 middle-and long-distance runners, were measured at different stages of their training program during the period of one training year [24]. The main conclusion described that variation in the type, intensity, and volume of arm training throughout a year hardly affected the course of the force-velocity curve of the arm flexors of well-trained athletes [24].…”

“…In particular, 4 rowers, 5 athletes competing in TOW and 6 middle-and long-distance runners, were measured at different stages of their training program during the period of one training year [24]. The main conclusion described that variation in the type, intensity, and volume of arm training throughout a year hardly affected the course of the force-velocity curve of the arm flexors of well-trained athletes [24]. The second research analyzed the plyometric strength training effects of elite male tuggers, related to Defend Fast Break (DFB), and Attack Fast Break (AFB) before and after practice [25].…”

Analysis of Tug of War Competition. A Narrative Complete Review

“…The first, analyzed the influence of specific types of muscle training, performed by previously well-trained competitive athletes, on the force-velocity of the arm flexors. In particular, 4 rowers, 5 athletes competing in TOW and 6 middle-and long-distance runners, were measured at different stages of their training program during the period of one training year [24]. The main conclusion described that variation in the type, intensity, and volume of arm training throughout a year hardly affected the course of the forcevelocity curve of the arm flexors of well-trained athletes [24].…”

“…In particular, 4 rowers, 5 athletes competing in TOW and 6 middle-and long-distance runners, were measured at different stages of their training program during the period of one training year [24]. The main conclusion described that variation in the type, intensity, and volume of arm training throughout a year hardly affected the course of the forcevelocity curve of the arm flexors of well-trained athletes [24]. The second research analyzed the plyometric strength training effects of elite male tuggers, related to Defend Fast Break (DFB), and Attack Fast Break (AFB) before and after practice [25].…”