Strength and Reaction Time Capabilities of New Zealand Polo Players and Their Association with Polo Playing Handicap

Abstract

Polo is an equestrian team sport consisting of four players per team, with level of play determined by cumulative player handicap (−2 to +10 goals), with a higher handicap denoting a better player. There is minimal literature investigating Polo players’ physical attributes, hence the understanding of the physical characteristics that may contribute to an improved handicap are unknown. This study sought to identify the relationship between pertinent strength measures (left and right hand grip strength; absolute and relative isometric mid-thigh pull) and reaction time in Polo handicap in 19 New Zealand Polo players, and ascertain whether handicap could be predicted by these measures. Correlation coefficients were expressed using R values, accompanying descriptors and 90% confidence intervals (C.I.). Variance explained was expressed via the R2 statistic, and statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Right hand grip strength, isometric mid-thigh pull values were found to significantly correlate to and explain variance within Polo player handicap (all moderate to large correlations; p < 0.05). Whereas left hand grip strength (R: 0.380; 90% C.I. −0.011 to 0.670) and reaction time (0.020; −0.372 to 0.406) were non-significant, moderate and trivial correlates and predictors of handicap respectively. Practically, these findings highlight the differing roles between rein and mallet hands of Polo players and emphasise the importance of a strong and stable platform when riding and striking the ball. Lack of association with reaction time may be explained in part by higher handicapped Polo players employing a more proactive approach to the game.

Repeated Menthol Mouth Swilling Affects Neither Strength nor Power Performance

“…Average and peak isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) values were assessed using a customised testing rig consisting of two portable force plates (Pasco, Roseville, CA, USA) and perpendicular vertical uprights; uprights were pre-drilled at 2.5 cm increments to allow adjustment of a steel dowel to participants’ mid-thigh [ 24 ]. Dowel height was established during familiarisation testing and all testing was performed unshod to reduce variability brought about by the cushioning properties of participants’ footwear noted in pilot testing.…”

“…Participants mean best values from each activity, in each condition were used for analyses. Mean best scores were calculated as a mean of participants’ best two efforts per test, per condition [ 24 , 30 ]. Data were analysed using SPSS (v24; IBM, New York, NY, USA); data were considered normally distributed as per the following criteria: Shapiro-Wilks test p > 0.05, skewness and kurtosis were within ± 1, if the mean and median were within 10% of each other, or if 2 × SD > mean [ 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

All things being equal: spatiotemporal differences between Open and Women’s 16-goal Polo

“…greater rates of acceleration) and serve a different tactical purpose in comparison to Women's Polo. Speed shows a more polarised distribution (Fig.1) of a seemingly stochastic nature in Women's Polo; accompanying error margins ( Fig.1 and 2) highlight that whilst players may be physically and technically proficient [16], their ponies must also be physically conditioned to cope with a slow/fast playing style. Such conditioning may take the form of high intensity interval training [13,17,18], although this has been noted to be potentially injurious in thoroughbreds [18].…”

Player Heart Rate Responses and Pony External Load Measures during 16-Goal Polo

“…These data and future datasets may inform sport-specific nutrition and recovery strategies, tactical decisions, and coaching strategies, and may facilitate the design of a Polo-specific fitness test. As per previous recommendations [9], this dataset provides a platform to build upon this previous work by allowing Polo player heart rate (internal load) to be contextualized against the work performed (external load) by their mounts, thus we can examine how players' physiology and ponies' performance interact, and how this may contribute to game outcome or be affected by environmental factors. Future investigations may wish to pair Data 2020, 5, 34 2 of 5 other data with the (internal and external) load characteristics described below, to further quantify the responses to exercise upon a wide array of physiological systems e.g., equine or human blood analyses or temperature changes assessed through thermography or thermometry.…”