Search Results (77)

Baseball pitchers must reduce batters’ decision-making ability, locating pitches in zones where batters make weak contact. The purpose of this case study was to investigate potential pitching performance improvements when wearing a specialized intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) belt. Thirteen collegiate pitchers were randomly assigned to three bullpens of 40 pitches with visual encouragement from an integrated LED screen and a portable radar. Pitchers wore their typical belt, an IAP belt at regular length, and the IAP belt with a two-inch cinch for separate bullpen conditions. Fastball and change-up velocities, their average differences in velocity, and strike-throwing percentages were indexed and analyzed. A repeated measures ANOVA with an a priori of 0.05 and Tukey’s post hoc analyses evaluated significant differences amongst the case study population across pitch velocity, command, and deception, which was measured as the average velocity difference between fastballs and change-ups. Given the small sample size, subject-specific data were presented and showed the majority of pitchers threw faster, had greater accuracy, and displayed greater velocity ranges between fastballs and change-ups. The subject-specific results in this case study indicated that most pitchers improved performance across velocity, command, and deception metrics with the use of an intra-abdominal pressure belt designed to be worn in competition. Full article

The aim of the study was to record shoulder and trunk stability of elite female handball players and to investigate their effect on throwing velocity and accuracy. 151 female handball players (9 teams in total) from the Hungarian first league participated in a mid-season conditional survey. The study included tests of trunk and shoulder stability, and measurements of factors affecting shoulder stability, as well as throwing speed and throwing accuracy. After the conditional survey, 18 players were selected for the intervention group (IG) and 18 players for the control group (CG). Significant relationships were found between the medial stability of the shoulder joint (Y-balance) and throwing accuracy (upper right corner) (r = 0.766; p < 0.001), throwing accuracy (upper left corner) (r = 0.729; p < 0.001), total throwing accuracy (r = 0.907; p < 0.001). The IG showed significant improvement in trunk stability (p < 0.001), shoulder joint stability (p < 0.001), throwing velocity (p < 0.001), and throwing accuracy (p = 0.002), compared to the CG. These findings support the idea that trunk and shoulder stability are related to throwing performance of female handball players. Measuring and training these aforementioned factors, particularly medial shoulder stability, may be a valuable adjunct to improving throwing accuracy and throwing velocity. Full article

Objective: This study introduces a novel methodology combining rapid stretch compound training with blood flow restriction (BFR) to investigate post activation performance enhancement (PAPE) in basketball players, a field that has been predominantly explored for lower limbs. We aimed to assess the efficacy of this combined approach on upper limb muscle performance in athletes. Methods: We employed a randomized, self-controlled crossover trial with ten male basketball players. The bench press throw (BPT) served as the primary metric, with players undergoing four interventions post-baseline: (1) STR—plyometric training; (2) BFR—blood flow restriction; (3) COMB—STR integrated with BFR; and (4) CON—control. Innovatively, we utilized an intelligent tracking sensor to precisely measure peak power (PP), peak velocity (PV), mean power (MP), and mean velocity (MV) at 4, 8, and 12 min post-intervention, providing a detailed temporal analysis of PAPE. Results: The COMB intervention demonstrated superior PAPE effects at 4 min, significantly outperforming STR and BFR alone and the control group across all measured indices (p < 0.05). Notably, the COMB group maintained these improvements for PV, PP, and H up to 12 min post-intervention, suggesting a prolonged effect. Conclusion: (1) The COMB stimulation has been shown to successfully induce PAPE more effectively than STR and BFR modality alone. (2) It appears that the optimal effects of PAPE are achieved within 4 min of exercising under this COMB. By the 12 min mark, only the COMB group continued to show significant improvements in PV, PP, and H compared to both the baseline and the CON group, while the effects in the STR and BFR groups further diminished. This suggests that although the PAPE effect is maintained over time, its optimal performance may peak at the 4 min mark and then gradually weaken as time progresses. Full article

Kicking strikes are fundamental in combat sports such as Taekwondo, karate, kickboxing, Muay Thai, and mixed martial arts. This review aimed to explore the measurement methods, kinematics such as velocities, kinetics such as impact force, determinants, and injury potential of kicking strikes in combat sports. Searches of Academic Search Premier, The Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, CINAHL Plus, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were conducted for studies that measured kicking velocity and impact force. A total of 88 studies were included in the review. Studies most frequently involved only male participants (49%) aged between 18 and 30 years of age (68%). Studies measuring velocity predominantly implemented camera-based motion capture systems (96%), whereas studies measuring impact force displayed considerable heterogeneity in their measurement methods. Five primary strikes were identified for which foot velocities ranged from 5.2 to 18.3 m/s and mean impact force ranged from 122.6 to 9015 N. Among the techniques analysed, the roundhouse kick exhibited the highest kicking velocity at 18.3 m/s, whilst the side kick produced the highest impact force at 9015 N. Diverse investigation methodologies contributed to a wide value range for kicking velocities and impact forces being reported, making direct comparisons difficult. Kicking strikes can be categorised into throw-style or push-style kicks, which modulate impact through different mechanisms. Kicking velocity and impact force are determined by several factors, including technical proficiency, lower body strength and flexibility, effective mass, and target factors. The impact force generated by kicking strikes is sufficient to cause injury, including fracture. Protective equipment can partially attenuate these forces, although more research is required in this area. Athletes and coaches are advised to carefully consider the properties and potential limitations of measurement devices used to assess impact force. Full article

This study investigates the influence of the quality of the “deep squat” movement, adapted from the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) system, on the lower extremity movement pattern during baseball throwing, and its potential impact on throwing performance and propulsion efficiency. Twenty-two baseball players were recruited and categorized into two groups: 13 in the high-score squat group (HSS) and 9 in the low-score squat group (LSS), based on their deep squat screening results. This research explored disparities in ball velocity, propulsion efficiency, propulsion ground reaction force (GRF) characteristics, and throwing kinematics between these two groups. The findings revealed no significant difference in ball velocity between the groups. However, the LSS group demonstrated a lower propulsion GRF efficiency (p < 0.030, ES = 0.46), along with a higher vertical peak GRF (p < 0.002, ES = 0.66). In the pivot leg, the HSS group exhibited significantly lower impulse forces in the Impulse Fresultant (p < 0.035, ES = 0.45), throwing direction (p < 0.049, ES = 0.42), and vertical direction (p < 0.048, ES = 0.42). Additionally, the contribution to the ball velocity of the pivot leg was significantly greater in the HSS group, along with significantly better efficiency in Impulse Fresultant (p < 0.035, ES = 0.45), throwing direction (p < 0.053, ES = 0.41), and vertical direction (p < 0.032, ES = 0.46). In the leading leg, the HSS group demonstrated significantly lower impulse forces in the Impulse Fresultant (p < 0.001, ES = 0.69), throwing direction (p < 0.007, ES = 0.58), and vertical direction (p < 0.001, ES = 0.70). Moreover, the contribution to the ball velocity of the leading leg was significantly greater in the HSS group, accompanied by significantly better efficiency in Impulse Fresultant (p < 0.003, ES = 0.63), throwing direction (p < 0.005, ES = 0.60), and vertical direction (p < 0.021, ES = 0.49). In conclusion, this study suggests that squat screening is a valuable tool for assessing propulsion efficiency. Coaches and trainers should be mindful of players with low squat quality but high throwing performance, as they may face increased impact and injury risks in the future. Full article

The sirtuins (SIRT) protein family and the mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) are intracellular molecules that have been involved in the regulation of several biological processes, as well as in various aging-related processes. This pilot study, in small scale, aimed to analyze the effects of an 8-week physical exercise program on SIRT3 and mTOR levels in lymphocytes, as well as on lipid peroxidation in middle aged and older men. A total of 9 participants aged between 56 and 73 years were enrolled in an 8-week physical exercise program comprising cardiovascular and high-intensity interval training. The program involved three sessions per week, each lasting 45–60 min, conducted on non-consecutive days. Tests were conducted before and after the experimental period (pre- and post-training). Assessments included a vertical jump, 20 m velocity, ball throwing, and an aerobic capacity test. Lipid peroxidation (MDA) was measured in plasma as an oxidative stress biomarker. Additionally, sirtuin 3 (SIRT3/β-actin) and mTOR (mTOR/β-actin) levels were measured in isolated lymphocytes extracted from venous blood. Following the exercise training period, our results demonstrated a significant improvement in aerobic capacity (pre-training: 615.4 ± 45.3 m; post-training: 687.2 ± 34.6 m; t = −2.521; p = 0.012) and 20 m velocity (pre-training: 4.6 ± 0.5 s; post-training: 4.3 ± 0.3 s; t = −2.023; p = 0.04). Concerning blood variables, there was a significant decrease in mTOR levels (pre-training: 0.857 ± 0.593; post-training: 0.214 ± 0.097; t = −2.547; p = 0.011), while no changes were observed in SIRT3 (pre-training: 0.608 ± 0.404; post-training: 0.516 ± 0.390; t = 0.533; p = 0.594) and MDA (pre-training: 8420 ± 4615; post-training: 8800 ± 3163; t = −0.533; p = 0.594). The notable reduction in mTOR levels in lymphocytes following the 8-week physical exercise program suggests a potential role of exercise in modulating immune cell dynamics, particularly in middle-aged and older individuals. Furthermore, the exercise regimen resulted in improvements in physical function, including enhanced aerobic capacity and walking velocity. Full article

Handball is a team sport that involves fourteen players who are attempting to score more goals than their opponent within two thirty-minute halves. A biomechanical analysis based on measuring the kinematics of jump throws could provide us with information on the ball’s velocity, the maximal internal rotation of the trunk, and the trunk’s flexion, as well as the angular velocity of the ball during shoulder rotation. The main aim of this study was to determine the wrist velocity during jump throws and standing throws without a run-up. The trunk, arm rotation, and wrist velocity will influence the speed of the ball during throwing. This case study included a senior-grade male handball player aged 18.75 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 25.5. The biomechanical evaluation was carried out using a three-dimensional Vicon system. The biomechanical analysis consisted of an evaluation of angular trunk velocity, angular arm rotation velocity, and wrist velocity during two types of throwing: jump throws and standing throws without a run-up. The data were recorded for standing throws without a run-up (S1) and jump throws (S2). For each situation, we measured two phases due to the great variation in the kinematic parameters. Phase 1 (F1) occurred when the elbow angle was 90°, up to the moment when the wrist had an inflection of its trajectory, and Phase 2 (F2) finished when the wrist’s velocity reached its maximum. The results regarding the angular velocity of the trunk torsion showed a high value of this parameter during Phase F2 compared to Phase F1 for both types of throws (S1 and S2). The angular velocity of the arm rotation achieved its maximum value in F2 during S2, and the wrist velocity was highest during Phases F2 and S2. The correlation analysis demonstrated that there was a good correlation between the angular velocity of the trunk torsion and the angular velocity of the arm rotation for S1 in Phase F1; however, in Phase F2, we found a good correlation between the angular velocity of the trunk torsion and wrist velocity. For S2, we found that in Phase F1, there was a good correlation between the angular velocity of the trunk torsion and wrist velocity; however, for Phase F2, there was a good correlation between the angular velocity of the arm’s rotation and wrist velocity. Therefore, the results from this case study indicate that the wrist velocity is influenced by the other two kinematic parameters, especially the angular velocity of the arm’s rotation. This means that the development of explosive force in the muscles of the trunk and arm could improve the wrist’s velocity and also increase the optimization of throwing in handball. Full article

This cross-sectional study investigated the impact of age and playing position, controlling for maturity, on physical fitness indicators in 303 adolescent female netball players aged 12.0 to 15.9 years. Assessments included estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) via the 20 m shuttle run test, 10 m and 20 m sprints, change of direction speed (CODS) using the 505 test, and muscle power via the medicine ball chest throw (MBCT) and countermovement vertical jump (CMJ). Participants were grouped by age (12 to 15 years) and playing position (non-circle and circle players), with age at peak height velocity as a covariate for maturity. Results revealed that, at 15 years, CMJ height was greater than at 12 years and 13 years (p < 0.05, partial η² = 0.048). MBCT distance increased across age groups (p < 0.01, partial η² = 0.323). Age had no impact on sprints, VO₂max, or CODS. Non-circle players outperformed circle players in the 10 m sprint (p = 0.042, partial η² = 0.016) and 20 m sprints (p = 0.010, partial η² = 0.025) and displayed higher VO₂max (p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.036). Circle players were taller (p = 0.046, partial η² = 0.014) and heavier (p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.040) than non-circle players. Playing positions showed no differences in CMJ and MBCT. In adolescent female netball players, only muscle power is influenced by age, while non-circle players exhibit superior aerobic fitness and speed compared to circle players. Coaches may be able to utilize the distinct age and playing position traits of adolescent netballers to inform player selection and design targeted training programs. Full article

Bat swing velocity (BSV) is an imperative element of a successful baseball hitting performance. This study aimed to investigate the anthropometric and physiological variables associated with BSV and explore strength and conditioning programs to increase BSV in collegiate baseball players. Seventy-eight collegiate baseball players (mean age ± SD, 19.4 ± 1.0 years) participated in this study. Maximum BSV (km/h) was measured using Blast Baseball (Blast Motion Inc., Carlsbad, CA, USA). The anthropometric and physiological variables measured were height, body mass, lean body mass, grip strength, back muscle strength, the 30 m sprint, standing long jump, and backward overhead medicine ball throwing. Analysis using Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient showed a weak but significant positive correlation between all anthropometric measurements to BSV. Significant relationships existed between physiological variables of hand grip, back muscle strength, and backward overhead medicine ball throwing, but not the standing long jump and 30 m sprint. These data show that BSV is related to anthropometric and physiological variables, particularly upper and lower body strength and full-body explosive power. Based on the results of this study, we designed examples of sound training programs to increase BSV. Strength and conditioning coaches may want to consider using this information when designing a training program for collegiate baseball players. Full article

The aim of this study was to determine the anthropometric and physical fitness profiles of inter-county female Gaelic football players from under-14 to under-18 age levels. A total of 156 athletes (U14, n = 33; U16, n = 64; U18, n = 59) participated in this study. Testing was conducted in a single session for each group and included anthropometric measures of standing and sitting height, weight, estimated age of peak height velocity (PHV), and maturity offset. Physical performance tests included squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ), 0–5 m and 0–20 m sprint times, pro-agility test, medicine ball chest-pass throw, and YoYo intermittent recovery test level 1 (YoYoIR1). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to investigate differences between the age groups. Significant differences were identified between age groups for measures of height (p < 0.001, ES = 0.127), body mass (p.002, ES = 0.076), and estimated age of PHV (p < 0.001, ES = 0.612). No significant differences were found between age groups for any of the physical fitness tests except for the YoYoIR1, where a significant difference was found between the U14 and U18 age groups (p.029, η2p = 0.048). These findings may assist coaches to better understand female athletic development, provide insight on talent identification and development programmes, and provide reference data when working with this cohort so that realistic and attainable training goals can be achieved. Full article

Background: Velocity-based training (VBT) requires measurement of the velocity at which the barbell is moved in the concentric phase with regard to different resistance exercises, which provides accurate, indirect estimations of 1 RM. However, for assessing punch performance, no study has been carried out to date. The purpose of this study was to analyse the reliability of the GymAware linear transducer for the measurement of barbell velocity during the landmine push throw (LPT) test using four loads. Methods: Twenty-five healthy, physically active male students, aged 24.13 ± 2.82 years, volunteered to take part in this study. The reliability of the LPT test was measured at two separate visits, with a 2-day interval between them. One series of the test protocol included four parts of the LPT test with progressively increasing loads (20, 25, 30, and 35 kg) and 5 min intervals for rests between loads. Results: For all four loads, excellent intra-rater and test–retest reliability was noted for the mean force variable (ICC = 0.97–0.99). Additionally, very strong and significant correlations were established between measurements (r = 0.96–0.99). Poor reliability was observed for barbell height and total work (ICC below 0.5). A trend of decreasing reliability was detected with increasing barbell load. Furthermore, measurements without the barbell throw were more reliable than those with it. Conclusions: These results support the use of the GymAware linear transducer to track barbell velocity during the LPT test. This device may have valuable practical applications for strength and conditioning coaches. Therefore, we suggest that the LPT assessed with the GymAware linear transducer may be a useful method for evaluating upper limb strength and power during boxing punches. Full article

The shoulder is a unique and complex joint in the human body with three bones and four joints, which makes it the most unstable joint in the body due to the amount of motion. To improve approaches toward understanding the performance of overhead throwing movements, this systematic review summarizes the type of analysis related to shoulder biomechanics involving overhead sporting motions. A search of seven databases identified 33 eligible studies, which were subsequently scored using the Modified Coleman Methodology Score scale. A total of nine articles from badminton, seven from baseball, five from volleyball, five from tennis, three from cricket, and one from softball were reviewed. All 33 studies evaluated shoulder kinematics and 12 of them also investigated the forces and torques (kinetics). The most common methods used were 3D motion analysis (76%), digital video cameras (15%), electromagnetic tracking system (6%), and finally 3% used IMU sensors. Overall, shoulder external rotation during the back swing, internal rotation, and elbow extension during the forward acceleration phase were the strongest predictors of high velocity overhead throwing movement. The findings provide some useful insights and guidance to researchers in their future contribution to the existing body of literature on shoulder overhead throwing movement biomechanics. Full article

Exploring resistance training methods is crucial for optimizing performance programs. Isometric muscle actions have gained popularity in athletic training, but their impact on dynamic performance is uncertain. Isolated isometric actions also lack ecological validity. We compared the effects of 8-week combined isometric and plyometric (COMB) training and contrast strength training (CST) programs on junior male handball players. Thirty-six male first national division players (17.6 ± 1.0 years) were enrolled and randomly assigned to COMB, CST, or control (CONT) groups (all n = 12). Sprinting, change of direction, ball throwing velocity, jumping, and strength were assessed pre- and post-intervention. A significant group × time interaction was observed between the COMB and CONT groups for 20 and 30 m sprints (p ≤ 0.002) and between the COMB and CST groups (p ≤ 0.042). The COMB group had the largest improvements in change of direction and the modified T-test, with significant group × time interactions between the COMB and CONT groups (p ≤ 0.021). Significant group × time interactions were observed between the COMB and CST groups and between the COMB and CONT groups for 3 step running throw (p = 0.003; p < 0.001), running throw (p = 0.02; p = 0.031), and jumping throw (p = 0.001; p < 0.001). Countermovement jump showed a significant group × time interaction (p = 0.014), with the COMB group outperforming the other groups. Generally, COMB yielded larger improvements than CST. Coaches should consider incorporating a combination of isometric and plyometric exercises for in-season strength training. Full article

The sport of axe throwing has gained popularity. Axe throwing is defined as a striking sport in which competitors are required to throw an axe with accuracy and appropriate velocity. However, evidence on the role of the trunk center of mass (CoM) in axe throwing, based on in-the-field experimental settings, is lacking. The aim of this study was to understand the variation in the magnitude of trunk CoM acceleration between male and female axe throwers and its relationship to throwing accuracy. The sample consisted of 10 adult axe throwers (five males: 35.9 ± 7.5 years; five females: 25.2 ± 3.2 years) of varying skill level and experience. The axe throwers completed five single-handed overarm axe throws using their right hand. The accuracy of the axe throws was recorded, along with CoM acceleration. The overall magnitudes of trunk CoM acceleration were significantly different between the male and female axe throwers (male CoM acceleration vector: 3.6 ± 1.1; female CoM acceleration vector: 2.2 ± 0.4; p = 0.001), with males recording a higher level of accuracy (males: 76%; females: 36%) in the axe throwing task combined with greater magnitudes of vertical acceleration. Female kinematics of the trunk were observed to have significantly higher magnitudes of mediolateral acceleration (3.55 ± 1.78, p = 0.016). The overall results identified that the vector magnitude of trunk CoM acceleration was significantly correlated (r = 0.87) to performance accuracy in the male throwers. It is suggested that axe throwers should consider using trunk CoM acceleration as a viable performance metric. Full article

The aim of this study was to determine if specific physical tests are sufficiently discriminant to differentiate players of similar anthropometric characteristics, but of different playing levels. Physical tests were conducted analyzing specific strength, throwing velocity, and running speed tests. Thirty-six male junior handball players (n = 36; age 19.7 ± 1.8 years; 185.6 ± 6.9 cm; 83.1 ± 10.3 kg; 10.6 ± 3.2 years of experience) from two different levels of competition participated in the study: NT = 18 were world top-level elite players, belonging to the Spanish junior men’s national team (National Team = NT) and A = 18 players of the same age and anthropometric conditions, who were selected from Spanish third league men’s teams (Amateur = A). The results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between the two groups in all physical tests, except for two-step-test velocity and shoulder internal rotation. We conclude that a battery combining the Specific Performance Test and the Force Development Standing Test is useful in identifying talent and differentiating between elite and sub-elite players. The current findings suggest that running speed tests and throwing tests are essential in selecting players, regardless of age, sex, or type of competition. The results shed light on the factors that differentiate players of different levels and can help coaches in selecting players. Full article