Fit to Race: Identifying the balance, type and sources of knowledge in fitness for Motorsport

In Motorsport, due perhaps to a lack of empirical evidence, it is not always clear what fitness training is required and what roles specific fitness components play, particularly outside the elite levels. Consequently, drivers and their trainers are often left to their own devices, placing reliance on anecdotal information. Accordingly, using a large sample of racing drivers, coaches and fitness trainers, the aim of this investigation was to identify the perceived importance and contribution of fitness components, the sources of information used to reach these conclusions and levels of confidence in the views reported. Survey data from 166 drivers (151 males, 15 females) showed that, in general, cardiovascular fitness, upper body strength, coordination and reactions were perceived as being the most important. Data on sources of information used supported the conjecture that training can often be based on “word of mouth”. Despite a fairly high level of confidence in the views expressed, there is clearly a significant opportunity for practitioners working within Motorsport to provide clearer, proven information so that drivers can feel confident that they are training optimally

SEX-BASED ANALYSIS OF THE BIOMECHANICS OF PITCHING

Madison J. Blankenship1, Hunter L. Frisk1, Evan M. Martin1, and William P. Ebben1 1Lakeland University, Plymouth, WI Understanding pitching biomechanics and sex-based differences is necessary for training pitchers in the most sport specific method possible. PURPOSE: This study assessed sex-based differences in the propulsive and landing phase kinetics, athlete whole body velocity, and the relationship between these variables and pitched ball velocity. METHODS:15 men (age = 19.47 ± 1.18 years) and 15 women (age = 20.07 ± 2.17 years) served as subjects and provided informed written consent. The study was approved by the IRB. Subjects threw six fastballs from the wind-up. Subjects pitched from a pitching rubber bolted to the first of two force platforms, flush mounted and deployed in series. The first and second force platforms captured the propulsive and landing phases of the pitcher, respectively. Kinetic data analysis included horizontal and vertical peak ground reaction forces (GRF), the ratio of both (H:V), and the rate of force development (RFD). Ball velocity was determined by Doppler radar. Independent samples t-tests were used to assess differences in subject background, pitch velocity, propulsive and landing phase GRF, H:V, and RFD. Paired samples t-tests was used to determine differences between propulsive and landing phase GRF, H:V, and RFD. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to assess the relationship between the kinetic variables and ball velocity. RESULTS: Subject age, weight, and years of pitching experiences were not statistically different between men and women (p ≥ 0.05). Men were taller than women (p = 0.001). Fastball velocity was significantly greater (p = 0.001) for men (33.17 ± 2.21 m·s-1) than women (22.52 ± 1.47 m·s-1). During the propulsive phase, the H:V of men (0.37:1 ± 0.05:1) was greater (p \u3c 0.05) than women (0.32:1 ± 0.07:1). During the landing phase, women demonstrate higher (p \u3c 0.05) vertical GRF/body mass (1.91 ± 0.13 N) and RFD/body mass (23.36 ± 2.59 N·s-1) than men (1.43 ± 0.13 N) and (17.45 ± 1.53 N·s-1). There was no correlation between any biomechanical variables and ball velocity for either men or women (p ≥ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Training strategies for men should emphasize horizontal rather than vertical force production during the propulsive phase. Training strategies for women should increase their capability to manage large vertical GRF and RFD during the landing phase of pitching

SPATIAL, TEMPORAL, AND KINETIC VARIABLES DURING SPRINTING WITH ACCELERATION LADDERS

Hunter L. Frisk1, Alicia L. Thone1, Randall L. Jensen FACSM2, and William P. Ebben1 Lakeland University, Plymouth WI; Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI A variety of biomechanical factors, experience level, and training specificity may influence sprinting acceleration. PURPOSE: This study evaluated kinetic and kinematic variables during the early acceleration phase of sprinting with an acceleration ladder. METHODS: Ten women (age = 19.3 ± 1.06 years) and ten men (age = 20.01 ± 0.99 years) served as subjects and provided written consent. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. Subjects performed 10-meter sprints in sprinter (SP) and standing (ST) start conditions, across two flush-mounted force platforms in series, using an acceleration ladder. Subject’s horizontal ground reaction force (H-GRF), vertical ground reaction force (V-GRF), H-GRF to V-GRF ratio (H:V), time between steps, stride frequency, and speed were assessed. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to determine the relationship between sprinting velocity during each start condition and H-GRF, V-GRF, H:V, time between steps, average stride frequency (SF), duration of foot contact, and stride distance, between steps and across all four steps. RESULTS: For the SP start condition, significant (p ≤ 0.05) correlations were found between the overall velocity of the four steps and H-GRF (r = -0.46), V-GRF (r = -0.71), H:V (r = 0.46), and step distances between the third to fourth step (r = 0.65). For the ST start condition, significant (p ≤ 0.05) correlations were found between the overall velocity of the four steps and V-GRF (r = -0.51), SF (r = -0.92), and foot contact duration (r = -0.56). No other significant correlations (p ≥ 0.05) were found. CONCLUSION: Training the optimal ratio of H-GRF to V-GRF seems to be more important than the magnitude of force in either plane, since H-GRF and V-GRF were not positively correlated with sprint velocity, but H:V was for the sprint start. While longer foot contact time theoretically would facilitate greater force production, predictably the duration of foot contact was negatively correlated with velocity. Additionally, high stride frequency and step distances that are too short impair velocity. Athletes should be trained to develop brief foot contact time and use sufficient step distance when sprinting with acceleration ladders. Acceleration ladders configured with rung spacing that is too close likely inhibits optimal sprinting velocity

Selective muscle contraction during plantarflexion is incompatible with maximal voluntary torque assessment

International audienceObjective: Large variations in maximal voluntary torque are reported in the literature during isometric plantarflexion contractions. We propose that these differences, which could reach 40 % across similar studies, could be explained by differences in the instructions provided, and notably by instructions as to favoring or not multi-joint contractions.Method: Sixteen participants were placed on an isokinetic ergometer in 3 different positions, supine, prone and seated, with the ankle in the neutral position, and instructed to create maximal force on the footplate by conforming to instructions that favored either isolated (ISOL) or multi-joint (ALL) isometric contractions. Torque, foot kinematics and the electromyographic activity of seven muscles of the lower limb have been recorded.Results: Joint torques were greater in ALL compared to ISOL (p < 0.05) with gains of 43.5 (25.4–170.6) %, 42.5 (1.4–194.6) % and 15.3 (9.3–71.9) % in the supine, prone and seated position, respectively [values are given as median (range)]. The results of this study suggested that forces created by muscles that do not span over the ankle joint significantly influenced the measured joint torque. Nevertheless, the observed gains in torque were associated with greater plantarflexor muscles activation, showing that the ISOL condition may have induced a form of inhibition of these muscles.Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that using isolated contractions, hence constrained testing protocols, cannot provide optimal conditions for MVC testing, notably for plantarflexor muscles, which seem to be extremely sensitive to such constrained conditions