Relationships between Unilateral Muscle Strength Qualities and Change of Direction in Adolescent Team-Sport Athletes

Abstract

Previous studies have reported an association between global measures of bilateral strength and change of direction (COD) ability. Yet, little is known about the association between unilateral muscle strength qualities and COD ability. The aim of this study was to explore the associations between unilateral muscle strength qualities and COD measures (COD speed (CODS) and COD deficit) when matched limb-for-limb (i.e., right limb vs. right limb, left limb vs. left limb) in adolescent team-sport athletes. One hundred and fifteen athletes (56 males, 59 females) active in cricket, netball, and basketball participated in this investigation. Each player performed trials of countermovement jump (CMJ), single-leg hop (SLH), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and eccentric knee extensor torque (ECC-EXT) to assess muscle strength qualities and 505 and modified 505 (505mod) to evaluate COD ability. Moderate-to-large correlations were observed between SLH and CODS (r = −0.43 to −0.67). Another important finding was that CMJ measures demonstrated moderate-to-large correlations with CODS (r = −0.38 to −0.69) and small-to-moderate correlations with COD deficit (r = −0.24 to −0.45). COD is underpinned by distinct muscle strength qualities and each contribute to specific phases of a COD task. It is therefore likely that such connections exist between muscle strength qualities and COD, with all qualities contributing to overall COD ability.

Comparison of Change of Direction Speed Performance and Asymmetries between Team-Sport Athletes: Application of Change of Direction Deficit

“…A 505 test was used to assess COD speed performance [14]. The 505 procedures were in line with previously reported methods [6,24,33]; thus, a brief overview is provided. Testing took place on a third-generation artificial rubber crumb surface (Mondo, SportsFlex, 10 mm; Mondo America Inc., Mondo, Summit, NJ, USA) using single beam “Brower photocell timing Gates” (model number BRO001; Brower, Draper, UT, USA) placed at approximate hip height [37].…”

“…505 completion times for each trial were recorded to the nearest 0.001 s. COD deficit was calculated using the formula: mean 505 time − mean 10 m sprint time [6,16]. Sprint testing was performed on the same surface as the COD trials with timing gates placed at 0–10m, in line with previously reported procedures [6,33]. Subjects performed three sprint trials, with two minutes’ rest between trials.…”

“…Despite the recent popularity of the COD deficit [21,23,32,33], to the best of our knowledge, only one study has explored asymmetries in COD deficit during the 505 and this was limited to youth female netballers [24]. Further understanding of COD ability and asymmetries in athletes from different athletic populations is needed to improve a coach’s ability to prescribe and monitor training for their athletes [34].…”

Reliability of Change of Direction and Agility Assessments in Youth Soccer Players

“…Approach velocity, acceleration and deceleration, and strength requirements can be challenged to varying degrees, dependent on the test selected [10,15,16]. When assessing COD performance, versions of the "505" test are most commonly selected due to their ability to challenge deceleration and reacceleration qualities, alongside providing comparative data between turn legs [10,[17][18][19]. When assessing agility performance, however, versions of the Y-sprint drill are often implemented to maintain high sprint velocity and mimic the "cut" action, commonly observed during team and invasion sports [12,[20][21][22].…”

Optimizing athlete assessment of maximal force and rate of development: A comparison of the isometric squat and mid-thigh pull

“…Numerous studies have included the IMTP, 6,9,25 with fewer employing the ISQ. 2,21 Nuzzo et al 21 utilized both assessment modes and showed they were significantly correlated (r = 0.76); however, peak force and RFD were higher in the ISQ.…”