Sport-Specific Differences in Power–Velocity–Force Profiling during Trunk Rotations at Different Loads

Abstract

This study investigates differences in power and velocity at different loads and power and force at different velocities during trunk rotations in athletes who practice sports with rotational demands on the trunk. Athletes of combat (n = 23), fighting (n = 39), ball (n = 52) and water sports (n = 19) with a mean age of 23.8 ± 1.5 years performed standing trunk rotations on each side with bars of different weights (from 1 kg up to 50 kg) placed on their shoulders. The findings showed significant between-group differences in mean power in the acceleration phase of trunk rotations, especially at higher weights (≥10.5 kg) or lower velocities (≤334.2 rad/s). The power at 10.5 kg was significantly higher in fighting than water (p = 0.035; d = 0.86), combat (p = 0.001; d = 1.53) and ball sports athletes (p = 0.001; d = 1.48), with no significant differences between the two latter groups; at 15.5 kg, it was higher in water than combat (p = 0.027; d = 0.91) and ball sports athletes (p = 0.009; d = 1.17) but not those in fighting sports; and at 20 kg, it was higher in water than combat (p = 0.013; d = 0.98) and ball sports athletes (p = 0.006; d = 1.33), with no significant differences with those in fighting sports. This testing is sensitive in discriminating between athletes of various sports, which may reflect the specificity of their training, including trunk rotations at various velocities under different load conditions.

Strength and Power-Related Measures in Assessing Core Muscle Performance in Sport and Rehabilitation

“…This assumption may be corroborated by significant differences between groups of athletes in power generated during trunk rotations at lower velocities (≤334.2 rad/s) or at higher weights (≥10.5 kg). The highest power is achieved in combat sports athletes (maximum at 10.5 kg), then in water sports athletes (maximum at 20.0 kg), grappling sports athletes (maximum at a 15.5 kg), and ball sports athletes (maximum at a 10.5 kg) ( Zemková et al, 2020 ). Additionally, angular velocity is the highest at lower weights in combat sports athletes and at higher weights in water sports athletes.…”

Trunk Rotational Power in Female and Male Athletes of Gymnastics and Dance Sports

“…Indeed, sport-specific differences in power-velocity-force profiling during trunk rotations were revealed at loads ≥10.5 kg (Zemková et al 2020). The highest power is produced by combat sports athletes (boxing, thai boxing, karate, tae kwon do) with a maximum achieved at 10.5 kg, followed by water sports athletes (canoeing, kayaking) with a maximum at 20.0 kg, grappling sports athletes (judo, wrestling) with a maximum at 15.5 kg, and ball sports athletes (golf, hockey, tennis) with a maximum at 10.5 kg (Zemková et al 2020). Additionally, angular velocity is the highest at lower weights in combat sports athletes and at higher weights in water sports athletes.…”