A comparison of hip joint kinetics during the barbell hip thrust, deadlift and back squat.

The barbell hip thrust, deadlift and back squat are all exercises designed to strengthen the hip extensor muscles. The aim of this study was to directly compare hip joint kinetics in the lifting phase of the barbell hip thrust with those in the deadlift and back squat. Six resistance-trained men performed one set of three repetitions at 90% 1RM of each exercise. Kinematic (250 Hz) and kinetic data (1000 Hz) were used to calculate hip angle and moment throughout each lifting phase. Analysis of continuous data revealed that the hip extensor moment was significantly greater early in the lifting phase in the deadlift and later in the lifting phase in the hip thrust. All three exercises clearly facilitate the strengthening of the hip extensors, and careful consideration of the specific desired adaptation is recommended when selecting exercises for this purpose

POLE-ATHLETE INTERACTION DURING THE POLE VAULT APPROACH PHASE

The aim of this study was to assess whether pole vaulters interacted differently with the pole during normal and perturbed approach phase conditions. Six national and international level athletes performed nine jumps, which were recorded and analysed. Pole vaulters were found to produce different coordination patterns when interacting with the pole during normal and perturbed approach phase conditions. The variable nature of the highly skilled athletes enforces the need for degenerate behaviours in achieving consistent performance outcomes. Athletes produced different coordination patterns, and should be considered on an individual basis in order to effectively, efficiently and safely improve performance

Hip joint kinetics during the barbell hip thrust

The barbell hip thrust is thought to overload the hip extensors near full extension. The aim of this study was to quantify the hip joint kinetics of a full repetition of the barbell hip thrust. Seven participants performed 3x3x70% 1RM barbell hip thrusts, during which external force (1000 Hz) and full body kinematics (250 Hz) were captured. Inverse dynamic analysis revealed a double peak in the hip extensor moment through the repetition, with maximum hip extensor moment (3.13 ± 0.48 Nm/kg) occurring early in the movement, when the hip joint was close to 90° flexion. Despite the changes in magnitude of hip extensor moment during the repetition, the moment remained extensor dominant throughout, which provided some support for the force vector theory and the previous suggestion that the hip thrust effectively overloads the hip extensors near full extension

COMPARISON OF THE BILATERAL AND UNILATERAL BARBELL HIP THRUST

The purpose of this study was to quantify the kinetics and kinematics of the unilateral (UL) barbell hip thrust and compare UL biomechanics with the bilateral (BL) barbell hip thrust. Ten resistance trained males performed three sets of three repetitions UL and BL at 10 repetition maximum intensity. The biomechanics of each lift were analysed using 3D motion capture and force plates that were floor mounted and instrumented in to a bespoke rig. Joint kinetics and kinematics were calculated in the sagittal, frontal and transverse planes. It was concluded that UL loaded the hip joint to a greater extent than the BL across all three planes. The current study offers novel insight to the biomechanical demand of the unilateral hip thrust and has implications for exercise selection within the physical preparation of athletes

LOCOMOTOR CONTROL PATTERNS DURING THE POLE VAULT APPROACH PHASE

The aim of this study was to investigate the visual regulation of locomotion during the pole vault approach phase on athletes of differing skill levels. Seven well-trained athletes performed six jumps which were recorded and analysed. Pole vaulters utilised three locomotor control patterns. However, these were not associated with skill level. The non-stable nature of footfall Variability in athletes enforces the need for degeneracy in approach phase movement patterns. Coaches should include training exercises that require intentional use of visual regulation to aid athletes in achieving the flexibility to adapt to changing constraints during the approach phase. Athletes should be considered on an individual basis in order to effectively, efficiently and safely improve performance. Practical solutions are offered which provide examples of how individual locomotor patterns can be interpreted to inform the prescription of training interventions