scholarly journals Vertical Jump Testing in Rugby League: A Rationale for Calculating Take-Off Momentum

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 370-374
Author(s):  
John J. McMahon ◽  
Jason P. Lake ◽  
Nicholas J. Ripley ◽  
Paul Comfort

The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of calculating jump take-off momentum in rugby league (RL) by exploring its relationship with sprint momentum, due to the latter being an important attribute of this sport. Twenty-five male RL players performed 3 maximal-effort countermovement jumps on a force platform and 3 maximal effort 20-m sprints (with split times recorded). Jump take-off momentum and sprint momentum (between 0 and 5, 5 and 10, and 10 and 20 m) were calculated (mass multiplied by velocity) and their relationship determined. There was a very large positive relationship between both jump take-off and 0- to 5-m sprint momentum (r = .781, P < .001) and jump take-off and 5- to 10-m sprint momentum (r = .878, P < .001). There was a nearly perfect positive relationship between jump take-off and 10- to 20-m sprint momentum (r = .920, P < .001). Jump take-off and sprint momentum demonstrated good–excellent reliability and very large–nearly perfect associations (61%–85% common variance) in an RL cohort, enabling prediction equations to be created. Thus, it may be practically useful to calculate jump take-off momentum as part of routine countermovement jump testing of RL players and other collision-sport athletes to enable the indirect monitoring of sprint momentum.

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 803-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. McMahon ◽  
Shannon Murphy ◽  
Sophie J.E. Rej ◽  
Paul Comfort

Purpose:Gross measures of countermovement-jump (CMJ) performance are commonly used to track maturational changes in neuromuscular function in rugby league (RL). The purpose of this study was to conduct both a gross and a more detailed temporal-phase analysis of the CMJ performances of senior and academy RL players, to provide greater insight into how neuromuscular function differs between these groups.Methods:Twenty senior and 14 academy (under-19) male RL players performed 3 maximal-effort CMJs on a force platform, with forward dynamics subsequently employed to allow gross performance measures and entire kinetic– and kinematic–time curves to be compared between groups.Results:Jump height (JH), reactive strength index modified, concentric displacement, and relative concentric impulse (C-IMP) were the only gross measures that were greater for senior players (d = 0.58–0.91) than for academy players. The relative force- and displacement–time curves were similar between groups, but the relative power– and velocity–time curves were greater (d = 0.59–0.97) for the senior players at 94–96% and 89–100% of the total movement time, respectively.Conclusions:The CMJ distinguished between senior and academy RL players, with seniors demonstrating greater JH through applying a larger C-IMP and thus achieving greater velocity throughout the majority of the concentric phase and at takeoff. Therefore, academy RL players should train to improve triple (ie, ankle, knee, and hip) extension velocity during the CMJ to bring their JH scores in line with those attained by senior players.


2021 ◽  
pp. 149-157
Author(s):  
Manuel V. Garnacho-Castaño ◽  
Marcos Faundez-Zanuy ◽  
Noemí Serra-Payá ◽  
José L. Maté-Muñoz ◽  
Josep López-Xarbau ◽  
...  

This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Polar V800 to measure vertical jump height. Twenty-two physically active healthy men (age: 22.89 ± 4.23 years; body mass: 70.74 ± 8.04 kg; height: 1.74 ± 0.76 m) were recruited for the study. The reliability was evaluated by comparing measurements acquired by the Polar V800 in two identical testing sessions one week apart. Validity was assessed by comparing measurements simultaneously obtained using a force platform (gold standard), high-speed camera and the Polar V800 during squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) tests. In the test-retest reliability, high intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were observed (mean: 0.90, SJ and CMJ) in the Polar V800. There was no significant systematic bias ± random errors (p > 0.05) between test-retest. Low coefficients of variation (<5%) were detected in both jumps in the Polar V800. In the validity assessment, similar jump height was detected among devices (p > 0.05). There was almost perfect agreement between the Polar V800 compared to a force platform for the SJ and CMJ tests (Mean ICCs = 0.95; no systematic bias ± random errors in SJ mean: -0.38 ± 2.10 cm, p > 0.05). Mean ICC between the Polar V800 versus high-speed camera was 0.91 for the SJ and CMJ tests, however, a significant systematic bias ± random error (0.97 ± 2.60 cm; p = 0.01) was detected in CMJ test. The Polar V800 offers valid, compared to force platform, and reliable information about vertical jump height performance in physically active healthy young men.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 423-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Billy T. Hulin ◽  
Tim J. Gabbett ◽  
Nathan J. Pickworth ◽  
Rich D. Johnston ◽  
David G. Jenkins

Purpose: To examine relationships among physical performance, workload, and injury risk in professional rugby league players. Methods: Maximal-effort (n = 112) and submaximal (n = 1084) running performances of 45 players were recorded from 1 club over 2 consecutive seasons. Poorer and better submaximal running performance was determined by higher and lower exercise heart rates, respectively. Exponentially weighted moving averages and daily rolling averages were used to assess microtechnology-derived acute and chronic field-based workloads. The associations among within-individual submaximal running performance, workload, and noncontact lower-limb injury were then investigated. Results: The injury risk associated with poorer submaximal performance was “likely” greater than stable (relative risk = 1.8; 90% confidence interval, 0.9–3.7) and better submaximal performance (relative risk = 2.0; 90% confidence interval, 0.9–4.4). Compared with greater submaximal performance, poorer performance was associated with lower chronic workloads (effect size [d] = 0.82 [0.13], large) and higher acute:chronic workload ratios (d = 0.49 [0.14], small). Chronic workload demonstrated a “nearly perfect” positive relationship with maximal-effort running performance (exponentially weighted moving average, R2 = .91 [.15]; rolling average, R2 = .91 [.14]). At acute:chronic workload ratios >1.9, no differences in injury risk were found between rolling average and exponentially weighted moving average methods (relative risk = 1.1; 90% confidence interval, 0.3–3.8; unclear). Conclusions: Reductions in submaximal running performance are related with low chronic workloads, high acute:chronic workload ratios, and increased injury risk. These findings demonstrate that a submaximal running assessment can be used to provide information on physical performance and injury risk in professional rugby league players.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 1034-1038
Author(s):  
Alberto Franceschi ◽  
Daniele Conte ◽  
Marco Airale ◽  
Jaime Sampaio

Purpose: To describe and identify individual trends and changes in training load, neuromuscular readiness, and perceptual fatigue measures in 2 youth elite long jumpers, finalists at the European Athletics U18 (Under 18) Championships (athlete A, female, age 16.5 y, long-jump record 6.25 m; athlete B, male, age 16.0 y, long-jump record 7.28 m). Methods: Data were collected from both training sessions and athletics competitions during a 16-week period, divided into a preparation (weeks 1–8) and a competitive phase (weeks 9–16). Training load was computed through training diaries (training time, sprint, jumping, and weights volume). The countermovement jump and the 10-to-5 repeated-jump test were executed on a weekly basis to assess neuromuscular readiness, and perceptual fatigue measures were collected through a wellness questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted using a magnitude-based decisions approach. Results: The results highlighted a decrease in training load during the competitive period with moderate to large differences for training time, sprint, and jump volume. Moreover, data showed an upward trend and very likely higher scores in vertical-jump performance across the competitive phase together with a very likely lower perceptual fatigue. Conclusions: This scenario seemed to be favorable to achieve competition performance very close to the personal record during the competitive season. This study provided an example of application of a comprehensive monitoring system with young athletes involved in track-and-field jumping events.


Sports ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athos Trecroci ◽  
Marco Duca ◽  
Damiano Formenti ◽  
Giampietro Alberti ◽  
F. Marcello Iaia ◽  
...  

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a five-week compound training (with strength and plyometric exercises performed on separate days) on sprint, change of direction, and vertical jump in young soccer players. Eighteen novices in strength and plyometric training were assigned to either a compound training (CMPT) or a control condition (CNT). Both groups trained three times per week. One session was dedicated to soccer-specific drills. The other two weekly sessions were dedicated to circuit-based training routines employing on one-day strength exercises and on the other day plyometric exercises in the CMPT group. At the same time, the CNT group performed two weekly soccer-specific training sessions. All players were tested by 15-m sprint, change-of-direction and acceleration test (CODAT), squat jump, and countermovement jump with arms swing tests. CMPT group improved CODAT, squat jump and countermovement jump to a higher extent compared to CNT group (large vs small or trivial effects, p < 0.05), while both groups had similar 15-m sprint performance (p > 0.05). These results support the use of compound training to improve change of direction and vertical jump performances in young novice soccer players, which are unfamiliar with structured and advanced strength and plyometric training.


Author(s):  
Jonathan Sinclair ◽  
Christopher James Edmundson ◽  
John Metcalfe ◽  
Lindsay Bottoms ◽  
Stephen Atkins ◽  
...  

The aim of the current study was to examine the efficacy of resisted sled-based training compared to traditional unresisted sprint training in terms of mediating improvements in speed, agility, and power during an eight-week period of in-season training in elite rugby league players. Participants were randomly separated into either resisted sled or traditional sprint-based training groups and they completed an eight-week in-season training block with training prescribed based on the group to which they were assigned. Measures of 5 m, 10 m, and 20 m sprint times in addition to countermovement jump height and 505-agility test time were measured at baseline, four-weeks and eight-weeks. For sprint-based outcomes, although both groups improved significantly, there were no statistical differences between the two training methods. However, at the eight-week time point there were significant improvements in 505-agility test (sprint group: baseline = 2.45 and eight-weeks = 2.42 s/sled group: baseline = 2.43 and eight-weeks = 2.37 s) and countermovement jump (sprint group: baseline = 39.18 and eight-weeks = 39.49 cm/sled group: baseline = 40.43 and eight-weeks = 43.07 cm) performance in the sled training group. Therefore, the findings from this investigation may be important to strength and conditioning coaches working in an elite rugby league in that resisted sled training may represent a more effective method of sprint training prescription.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 292
Author(s):  
Cristiane Blausius Salvi Hübner ◽  
Cristiano André Hübner ◽  
Martim Gomes Weber ◽  
Fernando De Souza Campos ◽  
Renan Felipe Hartmann Nunes ◽  
...  

The present study aims to analyze the effects of consecutive futsal games on neuromuscular performance and rating of perceived exertion in athletes. Fourteen male futsal players (16.5 ± 0.51 years, 67.5 ± 11.1 kg; 1.73 ± 0.08 cm; 22.5 ± 2.3kg/m²) from a youth futsal team took part at the study. Our research monitored the team throughout the 4-day qualifying phase of the Campeonato Paranaense de Futsal (the Youth Futsal Championship of the State of Paraná, Brazil). The athletes underwent the following tests immediately after each futsal match: vertical jump test (Squat Jump (SJ)), Countermovement Jump test (CMJ), and a rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) session. Magnitude based inference analysis reported CMJ values likely lower after the 2nd match when compared with the results obtained after the 1st and 4th matches: (ES= -0.46 low) and (ES= -0.53 moderate), respectively. Furthermore, SJ values reported after the 2nd match are likely lower if compared with the outcomes obtained after the 1st match (ES= -0.56 moderate) and possibly lower when compared with the 3rd matches (ES= -0.45 low). PSE results were significantly different comparing the 1st and 2nd matches (p=0.04); the 1st and 3rd matches (p=0.01); and the 3rd and 4th matches (p=0.01). Moreover, the outcomes research obtained after the 1st match are very likely to be lower when compared with the results from the 2nd (ES= -0.97 high) and 3rd matches (ES= high); and almost certain lower when compared with the 2nd and 3rd matches (ES= -0.45 low). Test results research obtained after the 4th match are very likely to be lower than the ones from the 2nd (EF=-0.83 high) and 3rd matches (ES= 1.01 high). Thus, by investigating the youth futsal tournament, the study could observe under-17 athletes delivered a decreased performance in vertical jump tests throughout the 4-consecutive-day championship, which can be associated with an increased rating of perceived exertion.Keywords: team sports, physical performance, fatigue, muscle damage.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Dello Iacono ◽  
Marco Beato ◽  
Israel Halperin

Purpose. To compare the acute effects of two post activation potentiation (PAP) protocols using traditional or cluster-set configurations on countermovement jump (CMJ) performance. Methods. Twenty-six male basketball players were evaluated on three occasions separated by 72 hours. On the first session, athletes performed barbell squat jumps with progressively heavier loads to determine their individual optimum power loads. On the second and third sessions, athletes completed two PAP protocols in a randomized, counterbalanced order: 3 sets of 6 repetitions of squat jumps using optimum power loads performed with either a traditional (no inter-repetition rest) or a cluster-set (20 s rest every 2 repetitions) configurations. After a comprehensive warm-up, CMJ height was measured using a force platform before, 30 s, 4 min, and 8 min after completing the PAP protocols. Results. While at post-30 s athletes jumped lower compared to baseline in both conditions, jump heights were 0.71 cm higher following the cluster-set compared to the traditional condition (95% CI: 0.37, 1.05 cm). While athletes jumped higher compared to baseline at post-4 and post-8 min in both conditioning, jump heights were higher following the cluster-set compared to the traditional condition in post-4 min by 1.33 cm (95% CI: 1.02, 1.65 cm) and in post-8 min by 1.64 cm (95% CI: 1.41, 1.88 cm). Conclusions. Both traditional and cluster-set configurations induced a PAP response in vertical jump performance using optimum power loaded squat jumps, but the cluster-set configuration led to superior performance likely due to the reduced accumulation of muscular fatigue.


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 511
Author(s):  
Filipe Conceição ◽  
Martin Lewis ◽  
Hernâni Lopes ◽  
Elza M. M. Fonseca

This study aims to comprehensively assess the accuracy and precision of five different devices and by incorporating a variety of analytical approaches for measuring countermovement jump height: Qualisys motion system; Force platform; Ergojump; an Accelerometer, and self-made Abalakow jump belt. Twenty-seven male and female physical education students (23.5 ± 3.8 years; height 170 ± 9.1 cm and body mass 69.1 ± 11.4 kg) performed three countermovement jumps simultaneously measured using five devices. The 3D measured displacement obtained through the Qualisys device was considered in this study as the reference value. The best accuracy (difference from 3D measured displacement) and precision (standard deviation of differences) for countermovement jump measurement was found using the Abalakow jump belt (0.8 ± 14.7 mm); followed by the Force platform when employing a double integration method (1.5 ± 13.9 mm) and a flight-time method employed using Qualisys motion system data (6.1 ± 17.1 mm). The least accuracy was obtained for the Ergojump (−72.9 mm) employing its analytical tools and then for the accelerometer and Force platform using flight time approximations (−52.8 mm and −45.3 mm, respectively). The worst precision (±122.7 mm) was obtained through double integration of accelerometer acceleration data. This study demonstrated that jump height measurement accuracy is both device and analytical-approach-dependent and that accuracy and precision in jump height measurement are achievable with simple, inexpensive equipment such as the Abalakow jump belt.


Author(s):  
Emily M. Partridge ◽  
Julie Cooke ◽  
Andrew J. McKune ◽  
David B. Pyne

Purpose: To determine whether a single acute preexercise bout of partial-body cryotherapy (PBC) enhanced maximal-effort shuttle run performance, salivary enzyme concentration, and self-reported performance readiness. Methods: A total of 18 male rugby league players (age = 20.1 [0.5] y; mass = 91.4 [12.4] kg) were exposed to either PBC for 3 minutes at −136°C (1°C) or a control condition prior to a continuous, high-intensity 6 × 40-m shuttle run test. Passive saliva samples were collected to determine salivary alpha amylase (sAA) concentration. Perceived performance readiness and well-being questionnaires were completed using a 1-to-7 Likert scale. Results: The PBC exposure did not elicit a greater improvement in 6 × 40-m shuttle run performance in comparison with the control condition (standardized difference; +0.4 [5.9%]; P = .881; mean ± 90% confidence limits). The increase in sAA concentration was moderately greater 15 minutes after PBC compared with the control group (+67 [32%], P = .012) and remained moderately higher up to 2 hours post-PBC exposure compared with the control condition (+41 [40%], P = .045). There were greater improvements in self-reported perceptions of muscle soreness (+0.6 [0.4%], P = .043; units ±90% confidence limits) and mood (+0.6 [0.7%], P = .038) after PBC compared with control. Conclusions: It appears that a single 3-minute bout of PBC does not augment maximal effort shuttle run performance in elite rugby league players. Beneficial increases in sAA concentration, coupled with improved perceptions of muscle soreness and mood, should be explored further for alternative training or precompetition practices.


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