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15 pages, 709 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Analysis of Upper- and Lower-Extremity Performance During Take-Offs and Landings in High-Wall Climbing: Effects of a Plyometric and Strength Training Intervention

by Wen-Lung Shih, Ming-Lang Yeh, Ming-Hsi Chuang and Cheng-En Wu

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(22), 10137; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142210137 - 5 Nov 2024

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Abstract

This study used a 12-week plyometric and strength training program as an intervention to improve upper- and lower-extremity muscle strength for jumping and landing when climbing high walls. Sixty general non-athlete male college students were openly recruited and divided into an experimental group [...] Read more.

This study used a 12-week plyometric and strength training program as an intervention to improve upper- and lower-extremity muscle strength for jumping and landing when climbing high walls. Sixty general non-athlete male college students were openly recruited and divided into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group underwent a plyometric and strength training program twice a week for 12 weeks (24 sessions). The intervention was divided into three phases, each lasting four weeks, with the training intensity gradually increasing in each phase. A hand grip dynamometer was used to measure grip strength, and a PASCO double-track force plate was used to assess upper-extremity push-up force and lower-extremity take-off and landing strength. The results of the 12-week intervention showed that the experimental group experienced significant increases in grip strength (both hands), hand-ground reaction force, and upper-extremity hang time. Additionally, the time of upper-extremity action on the force plate decreased. Lower-extremity take-off strength improved, as reflected in increased ground reaction force, rate of force development, and passage time. Upon landing, ground reaction force decreased by 3.2%, and cushioning time shortened by 52.7%. This study concludes that plyometric and strength training have promising effects in enhancing upper- and lower-extremity strength, particularly in climbing and landing tasks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Aspects, Biomechanics, and Technology in Sports and Exercise)

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15 pages, 4177 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Validity of Force and Power Measures from an Integrated Rotary Encoder in a HandyGym Portable Flywheel Exercise Device

by Víctor Illera-Domínguez, Xavier Font-Aragonés, Víctor Toro-Román, Samuel Díaz-Alejandre, Carla Pérez-Chirinos, Lluís Albesa-Albiol, Sara González-Millán and Bruno Fernández-Valdés

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(21), 9832; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14219832 - 28 Oct 2024

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Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the validity of the HandyGym portable flywheel device with an integrated rotary encoder in measuring force and power during iso-inertial exercises compared to a traditional reference system. Methods: In total, 10 trained volunteers (3 women, 7 men; [...] Read more.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the validity of the HandyGym portable flywheel device with an integrated rotary encoder in measuring force and power during iso-inertial exercises compared to a traditional reference system. Methods: In total, 10 trained volunteers (3 women, 7 men; age 25.2 ± 3.8 years) performed half-squats with five different load configurations using the HandyGym device. Concurrent measurements were obtained from HandyGym’s rotary encoder and a criterion system (MuscleLab 6000 strain gauge and linear encoder). Five load configurations were tested, with 15 repetitions recorded per condition. The validity of the HandyGym measurements was assessed through mean bias, typical error of estimation (TEE), and Pearson correlation coefficients, with Bland–Altman plots used to analyze the agreement between the two systems. Results: The HandyGym showed high correlations with the reference system for both force (r = 0.76–0.90) and power (r = 0.60–0.94). However, systematic biases were observed, with the HandyGym consistently underestimating force and power at lower loads and overestimating power at higher loads. The TEE values indicated moderate to large errors, particularly in power measurements. Conclusion: The HandyGym provides valid force measurements with moderate bias, suitable for general monitoring. However, power measurements are less consistent, especially at higher loads, limiting the device’s utility for precise assessments. Adjustments or corrections may be necessary for accurate application in professional contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Aspects, Biomechanics, and Technology in Sports and Exercise)

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11 pages, 1698 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Repetition of the Exhaustive Wrestling-Specific Test Leads to More Effective Differentiation between Quality Categories of Youth Wrestlers

by Kreso Skugor, Hrvoje Karnincic, Nenad Zugaj, Valdemar Stajer and Barbara Gilic

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3677; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093677 - 25 Apr 2024

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Abstract

This study aimed to investigate whether wrestlers of different competitive qualities (i.e., medalists vs. non-medallists) would differ in terms of specific test performance and cardiac and metabolic responses after a demanding testing protocol. The research included 29 wrestlers aged 17.62 ± 1.86 years [...] Read more.

This study aimed to investigate whether wrestlers of different competitive qualities (i.e., medalists vs. non-medallists) would differ in terms of specific test performance and cardiac and metabolic responses after a demanding testing protocol. The research included 29 wrestlers aged 17.62 ± 1.86 years divided into two performance categories: successful (medallists at the National Championships; n = 13) and less successful (non-medallists; n = 16). The variables included anthropometric indices and specific wrestling fitness test (SWFT) parameters, including the number of throws, heart rate, lactate concentration and calculated cardiac and metabolic indexes. To show differences between quality categories, Student’s t-test and receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were calculated. Two-way ANOVA for repeated measurements was used to evaluate the differences in performance, cardiac, and metabolic characteristics between the test trials and quality categories. Wrestlers differed in the total number of throws (p < 0.01, AUC = 0.82), cardiac indices (p < 0.03, AUC = 0.73), and metabolic indices (p < 0.04, AUC = 0.75) after the second SWFT trial, with successful wrestlers reaching better results. There were no differences in the first testing trial. The findings of this study indicate that wrestlers exhibit differences in specific performance variables after undergoing an exhaustive testing protocol. Therefore, this study suggests that future research on sport-specific performance in wrestlers should include exhaustive exercise or testing protocols. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Aspects, Biomechanics, and Technology in Sports and Exercise)

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11 pages, 845 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Physical Fitness on FRAN CrossFit^® Workout Performance

by Rafaellos Polydorou, Andreas Kyriacou-Rossi, Andreas Hadjipantelis, Christos Ioannides and Nikolaos Zaras

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 3317; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14083317 - 15 Apr 2024

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of physical fitness on the FRAN CrossFit^® workout time-trial. Twenty male athletes were divided into a fast group (FG) and a slow group (SG) according to the median value of the FRAN [...] Read more.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of physical fitness on the FRAN CrossFit^® workout time-trial. Twenty male athletes were divided into a fast group (FG) and a slow group (SG) according to the median value of the FRAN time-trial. Measurements included the FRAN time-trial, body composition analysis, isometric handgrip and isometric mid-thigh pull strength, countermovement jump (CMJ), 30 s continuous jumping test (CJ₃₀), and one repetition maximum (1-RM) strength in the squat, thrusters, snatch, clean and jerk, and dead-lift. The FG had significantly lower body fat (p < 0.018), higher CMJ (p < 0.05), lower percentage decrement in CJ₃₀ height (p = 0.023), and higher 1-RM strength (p < 0.05) compared to the SG. A significant correlation was found between the FRAN time-trial with percentage body fat (r = 0.512, p = 0.021) and with percentage decrement in CJ₃₀ height (r = 0.454, p = 0.044). Performance in the FRAN time-trial was also correlated with CMJ variables (r ranged from 0.634 to 0.663, p < 0.05) and 1-RM strength (r ranged from 0.510 to 0.701, p < 0.05). These results suggest that the FG has a higher tolerance to fatigue and is stronger, more powerful, and has less body fat compared to the SG. Consequently, body fat, 1-RM strength, power, and anaerobic capacity may predict the FRAN time-trial in CrossFit^® athletes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Aspects, Biomechanics, and Technology in Sports and Exercise)

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12 pages, 425 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cognitive and Motor Capacities Are Poorly Correlated with Agility in Early Pubertal Children: Gender-Stratified Analysis

by Vladimir Pavlinović, Nikola Foretić, Neven Kovačević, Tea Galić, Linda Lušić Kalcina, Frane Mihanović and Toni Modric

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 3148; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14083148 - 9 Apr 2024

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Abstract

This research aimed to identify relations of cognitive and power capacities with reactive agility in pubescent boys (n = 55) and girls (n = 46). Cognitive abilities were evaluated by the Stroop test, while the BlazePod system was used to evaluate [...] Read more.

This research aimed to identify relations of cognitive and power capacities with reactive agility in pubescent boys (n = 55) and girls (n = 46). Cognitive abilities were evaluated by the Stroop test, while the BlazePod system was used to evaluate agility performance conducting 20 yard shuttle and triangle tests of non-reactive (TCODS) and reactive agility (TRAG), respectively. Performance in jumping power was assessed through the squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and drop jump (DHJ) utilising the Opto Jump system (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy), while sprinting ability over distances of 10 and 20 m was measured using a photocells system. A principal component was extracted from the four Stroop test variables using factor analysis. Forward stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted separately for boys and girls to evaluate the multivariate relationships among the predictors and the criterion. Among boys, 80% of the TRAG variance was explained (MultipleR = 0.9), with TCODS and SJ as significant predictors (β = 0.53 and −1.01, respectively). For girls, the TCODS was the significant predictor (β = 0.65), explaining 43% of the variance (MultipleR = 0.65). These results show that (i) cognitive abilities measured with the Stroop test were not a reliable tool for predicting TRAG, (ii) jumping power was a significant predictor of TRAG in boys, and (iii) TCODS was a significant predictor of TRAG in girls. The findings indicated that cognitive abilities do not significantly influence reactive agility in pubescent children. It seems that power features have a greater influence on reactive agility, particularly in boys who have more developed motor skills at this age compared to girls. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Aspects, Biomechanics, and Technology in Sports and Exercise)

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12 pages, 1505 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Adding Mechanical Vibration and a Stick on Acceleration and Movement Variability during a Slide-Board Skating Exercise: Differences between the Dominant and Non-Dominant Legs

by Jose F. Gisbert-Orozco, Gerard Moras, Víctor Illera-Domínguez, Víctor Toro-Román, Carla Pérez-Chirinos Buxadé and Bruno Fernández-Valdés

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(4), 1481; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14041481 - 12 Feb 2024

Viewed by 954

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to analyse differences in acceleration and movement variability caused by adding whole-body vibration (WBV) and an implement (stick) while performing a slide-board (SB) skating exercise. A total of 10 professional ice-hockey players (age 20.4 ± 2.07 [...] Read more.

The aim of the present study was to analyse differences in acceleration and movement variability caused by adding whole-body vibration (WBV) and an implement (stick) while performing a slide-board (SB) skating exercise. A total of 10 professional ice-hockey players (age 20.4 ± 2.07 years) participated in the study. Participants performed 30 s of lateral sliding on a slide vibration board (SVB). Four conditions were analysed: no vibration and no stick (NVNS), no vibration with a stick (NVS), vibration without a stick (VNS) and vibration with a stick (VS). Peak acceleration, mean acceleration and movement variability (MV) were analysed in the dominant and non-dominant legs in each condition. Peak acceleration was higher in the non-dominant leg (p < 0.01). However, MV was higher in the dominant leg (p < 0.01). Regarding differences between conditions, mean acceleration was higher in VNS and VS than in NVS (p < 0.05). Regarding MV (sample entropy), there were differences in NVNS compared to VNS and VS (p < 0.01) and in NVS compared to VNS and VS (p < 0.01), with the values being superior in VNS and VS. The addition of WBV during an SB skating exercise results in an increase in MV and mean acceleration. The dominant leg shows greater MV regardless of the addition of vibration and a stick during sliding on an SVB. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Aspects, Biomechanics, and Technology in Sports and Exercise)

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13 pages, 1487 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Mechanical Vibration during an Incremental Slide Board Skating Test on Physiological and Movement Variability Parameters

by Jose F. Gisbert-Orozco, Gerard Moras, Víctor Toro-Román, Víctor Illera-Domínguez, Carla Pérez-Chirinos Buxadé and Bruno Fernández-Valdés

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(4), 1342; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14041342 - 6 Feb 2024

Viewed by 990

Abstract

The physiological, kinematic, and performance benefits of slide board (SB) training are well established. However, there is limited research investigating the potential effects offered by combining SB training with whole-body vibration (WBV). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of WBV on movement [...] Read more.

The physiological, kinematic, and performance benefits of slide board (SB) training are well established. However, there is limited research investigating the potential effects offered by combining SB training with whole-body vibration (WBV). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of WBV on movement variability (MV) and physiological parameters during an incremental SB skating test. Ten elite ice hockey players (20.4 ± 2.07 years; 1.79 ± 0.05 m; 75.97 ± 5.44 kg; 23.64 ± 1.64 body mass index) participated in this study. An incremental test was conducted on the SB under two conditions, randomized in order: WBV (30 Hz) and non-WBV (0 Hz). The incremental test rhythms were established at 30, 35, 40, and 45 Hz. Participants performed the exercise on the SB at each rhythm for four minutes, for a total of 16 mins. MV, subjective perception of effort (RPE), heart rate (HR), and ergospirometric parameters were assessed. Differences were observed between rhythms in ergospirometric parameters and HR, increasing directly with rhythm (p < 0.05). Regarding differences between conditions, MV was higher when the incremental test was performed with WBV (p < 0.01). The addition of WBV during SB training resulted in a rise in MV without affecting physiological parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Aspects, Biomechanics, and Technology in Sports and Exercise)

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Review

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11 pages, 1641 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Systematic Review on Utilizing the Acute to Chronic Workload Ratio for Injury Prevention among Professional Soccer Players

by Yiannis Michailidis

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4449; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114449 - 23 May 2024

Viewed by 1357

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a surge in research examining the correlation between training load and injury risk among professional football players. One prominent model proposed for this purpose is the acute-to-chronic workload ratio (ACWR). This review aimed to compile studies focusing [...] Read more.

In recent years, there has been a surge in research examining the correlation between training load and injury risk among professional football players. One prominent model proposed for this purpose is the acute-to-chronic workload ratio (ACWR). This review aimed to compile studies focusing on professional footballers that explored the association between the ACWR and injury risk, offering specific usage guidelines. The findings revealed that the relationship between the ACWR and injury risk in professional football remains inconclusive. Among studies supporting this relationship, many utilized a coupled ACWR derived from GPS data. Interestingly, the duration of the ACWR (1:2, 1:3, 1:4) did not seem to significantly impact this association. In conclusion, the pool of relevant studies is limited, warranting further research for more definitive conclusions. While the ratio shows promise in its connection with injury risk, establishing precise thresholds (e.g., reduced injury likelihood) remains challenging given the current research landscape. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Aspects, Biomechanics, and Technology in Sports and Exercise)

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