Relationship between Isometric Strength, Sprint, and Change of Direction Speed in Male Academy Cricketers

Abstract

Objectives:The aim of this investigation was to determine the relationships between isometric strength, sprint, and change of direction speed (CODS) performance in academy cricketers. Design and Methods:Eighteen male academy cricketers (mean ± SD; age = 17.1 ± 0.7 years; height = 175.8 ± 6.1 cm; mass = 71.7 ± 11.3 kg) performed tests of bilateral and unilateral stance isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), sprint, and change of direction speed (CODS) across two separate testing sessions. Isometric mid-thigh pull testing involved trials with relative peak force (PF [N•kgˉ¹]) determined for bilateral stance (IMTP PF), left leg (IMTP L PF), and right leg (IMTP R PF). Sprint and CODS performances was measured using 5-, 10-, and 20-m sprint performance, and traditional 505 (505) and modified 505 (505mod) tests. Relationships between variables (IMTP, sprint and CODS performances) were analysed using Pearson's product -moment correlation. Results:Results suggest that IMTP R PF displayed the strongest relationships with sprint performance (r = − 0.49 to − 0.52).Times to complete 505 CODS were significantly correlated with bilateral and unilateral stance IMTP PF (r = − 0.47 to − 0.65), whereas modified 505mod CODS performance demonstrated no correlation to either bilateral or unilateral stance IMTP PF (r = − 0.31 to − 0.44). Conclusions:There are no significant relationships between bilateral and unilateral stance IMTP PF and 505mod CODS.Furthermore, there are no significant relationships between bilateral stance IMTP PF and sprint performance. However, this study identified bilateral and unilateral stance IMTP PF to relate to 505 CODS.(Journal of Trainology 2016;5:18-23)

Force generation and neuromuscular activity in multi-joint isometric exercises: comparison between unilateral and bilateral stance

“…In this study, we chose the IMT-PUni as unilateral stance isometric exercise, since IMTPUni is becoming a general tool to safely evaluate muscle strength in detail 15) . Furthermore, there is a significant correlation between the variables of IMTPUni and sprint time 9) .…”

“…However, in IMTPUni, even though only one leg contributed to producing force, GRF of IMTPUni achieved 80% of GRF of IMTPBi. Similarly, Thomas et al 9) demonstrated that IMTPUni could achieve approximately 90% of the force generation of the bilateral stance, whereas another previous study demonstrated that the force exerted by a single leg during a knee extension exercise was approximately 60% of the bilateral stance 8) . Although both studies demonstrated that unilateral stance exercise could achieve more than 50% of the force production as compared with bilateral exercise, the results of the present study and that of Thomas et al 9) demonstrated that the increment ratios were much larger in IMTP than knee extension.…”

“…Similarly, Thomas et al 9) demonstrated that IMTPUni could achieve approximately 90% of the force generation of the bilateral stance, whereas another previous study demonstrated that the force exerted by a single leg during a knee extension exercise was approximately 60% of the bilateral stance 8) . Although both studies demonstrated that unilateral stance exercise could achieve more than 50% of the force production as compared with bilateral exercise, the results of the present study and that of Thomas et al 9) demonstrated that the increment ratios were much larger in IMTP than knee extension. The difference between these studies might be associated with the form of exercise: knee extension exercise is classified as an open kinetic chain exercise, whereas IMTPUni is classified as a closed kinetic chain exercise, as the leg is fixed on the ground during activity.…”

“…Furthermore, Ebben et al 7) also demonstrated that the activ-ity of hamstrings and rectus femoris (RF) was greater in step-up exercise, a form of unilateral stance exercise, than in double leg squat and deadlift. Indeed, previous studies demonstrated that more muscles were able to be recruited without reduction of strength exertion during unilateral stance exercise 8,9) . On the other hand, co-contraction, which is the simultaneous activation of agonist and antagonist around a joint, contributes to maintaining balance 10) .…”

Determining Bilateral Strength Imbalances in Youth Basketball Athletes

“…Recent research has found PF recorded during unilateral stance IMTP testing performed in a custom rig to reveal statistically significant (p < 0.001) differences in IMTP PF between D and ND limbs identifying the unilateral IMTP to be able to detect MSA, in addition to assessing one's isometric force-production capabilities. Additionally, unilateral IMTP PF has also shown a strong relationship with 505 performance (r = − 0.65) indicating the importance of strength of both limbs during change of direction tasks [41].…”