The effect of training with weightlifting catching or pulling derivatives on squat jump and countermovement jump force–time adaptations

The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) force−time curve characteristics following 10 weeks of training with either load-matched weightlifting catching (CATCH) or pulling derivatives (PULL) or pulling derivatives that included force- and velocity-specific loading (OL). Twenty-five resistance-trained men were randomly assigned to the CATCH, PULL, or OL groups. Participants completed a 10 week, group-specific training program. SJ and CMJ height, propulsion mean force, and propulsion time were compared at baseline and after 3, 7, and 10 weeks. In addition, time-normalized SJ and CMJ force−time curves were compared between baseline and after 10 weeks. No between-group differences were present for any of the examined variables, and only trivial to small changes existed within each group. The greatest improvements in SJ and CMJ height were produced by the OL and PULL groups, respectively, while only trivial changes were present for the CATCH group. These changes were underpinned by greater propulsion forces and reduced propulsion times. The OL group displayed significantly greater relative force during the SJ and CMJ compared to the PULL and CATCH groups, respectively. Training with weightlifting pulling derivatives may produce greater vertical jump adaptations compared to training with catching derivatives

Sex differences in countermovement jump phase characteristics

The countermovement jump (CMJ) is commonly used to explore sex differences in neuromuscular function, but previous studies have only reported gross CMJ measures or have partly examined CMJ phase characteristics. The purpose of this study was to explore differences in CMJ phase characteristics between male and female athletes by comparing the force-, power-, velocity-, and displacement-time curves throughout the entire CMJ, in addition to gross measures. Fourteen men and fourteen women performed three CMJs on a force platform from which a range of kinetic and kinematic variables were calculated via forward dynamics. Jump height (JH), reactive strength index modified, relative peak concentric power, and eccentric and concentric displacement, velocity, and relative impulse were all greater for men (g = 0.58–1.79). Relative force-time curves were similar between sexes, but relative power-, velocity-, and displacement-time curves were greater for men at 90%–95% (immediately before and after peak power), 47%–54% (start of eccentric phase) and 85%–100% (latter half of concentric phase), and 65%–87% (bottom of countermovement and initial concentric phase) of normalized jump time, respectively. The CMJ distinguished between sexes, with men demonstrating greater JH through applying a larger concentric impulse and, thus, achieving greater velocity throughout most of the concentric phase, including take-off

Reliability of and relationship between flight time to contraction time ratio and reactive strength index modified

Countermovement jump (CMJ) force-time testing is commonly used to monitor seasonal alterations in athletes’ CMJ strategy (to infer alterations in neuromuscular function). The flight time to contraction time (FT:CT) ratio and reactive strength index modified (RSImod) are considered to be two primary CMJ variables of interest. Due to similar calculations, it is likely that the FT:CT ratio and RSImod share similar reliability and an almost perfect relationship. Consequently, there may be no requirement to include both variables in CMJ monitoring reports. This study aimed to investigate this by recruiting twenty-five males to perform three CMJs on a force platform across two sessions that were separated by one week. The FT:CT ratio and two calculations of RSImod (based on the jump height from either flight time or take-off velocity) were then calculated using robust methods. The between-day reliability was good-excellent for all of the variables (95% confidence interval range of the coefficient of variation = 2.02–9.22%) with no significant between-day differences noted (p ≥ 0.231). There was an almost perfect positive relationship between the FT:CT ratio and RSImod regardless of the calculation method (r = 0.944–0.947, p < 0.001). As the FT:CT ratio and RSImod yield similar absolute reliability and share 90% of common variance, there is little reason to include both variables in CMJ monitoring reports

Changes in strength, power, and speed across a season in English county cricketers

PURPOSE: Previous research has investigated changes in athletes' strength, power, and speed performances across the competitive season of many sports, although this has not been explored in cricketers. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in lower-body strength and jump and sprint performances across an English county cricket season. METHODS: Male cricketers (N = 12; age 24.4 ± 2.3 y, body mass 84.3 ± 9.9 kg, height 184.1 ± 8.1 cm) performed countermovement jumps (CMJs) and 20-m sprints on 4 separate occasions and back-squat strength testing on 3 separate occasions across a competitive season. RESULTS: Both absolute (12.9%, P = .005, effect size [ES] = 0.53) and relative lower-body strength (15.8%, P = .004, ES = 0.69) and CMJ height (5.3%, P = .037, ES = 0.42) improved significantly over the preseason training period, although no significant change (1.7%, P > .05) in sprint performance was observed. In contrast, absolute (14.3%, P = .001, ES = 0.72) and relative strength (15.0%, P = .001, ES = 0.77), CMJ height (4.2%, P = .023, ES = 0.40), and sprint performance (3.8%, P = .012, ES = 0.94) declined significantly across the season. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that neither the demands of the competitive cricket season nor current in-season training practices provide a sufficient stimulus to maintain strength, jump, and sprint performances in these cricketers. Therefore, coaches should implement a more-frequent, higher-load strength-training program across the competitive cricket season

Influence of protein concentration and coagulation temperature on rennet-induced gelation characteristics and curd microstructure

peer-reviewedThis study characterized the coagulation properties and defined the cutting window (CW; time between storage modulus values of 35 and 70 Pa) using rheometry for milk standardized to 4, 5, or 6% protein and set at 28, 32, or 36°C. Milks were standardized to a protein-to-fat ratio of approximately 1 by blending ultrafiltration retentate, skim milk, and whole milk. The internal curd microstructure for selected curd samples was analyzed with transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Lowering the coagulation temperature caused longer rennet coagulation time and time to reach storage modulus of 35 Pa, translating into a wider CW. It also led to a lower maximum curd-firming rate (MCFR) with lower firmness at 40 min at a given protein level. Increasing protein levels resulted in the opposite effect, although without an effect on rennet coagulation time at a given temperature. On coagulation at 28°C, milk with 5% protein resulted in a similar MCFR (∼4 Pa/min) and CW (∼8.25 min) compared with milk with 4% protein at 32°C, which reflects more standard conditions, whereas increasing milk to 6% protein resulted in more than doubling of the curd-firming rate (MCFR = 9.20 Pa/min) and a shorter CW (4.60 min). Gels set at 28°C had lower levels of rearrangement of protein network after 40 min compared with those set at 36°C. Protein levels, on the other hand, had no influence on the levels of protein network rearrangement, as indicated by loss tangent values. The internal structure of curd particles, as investigated by both scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, appeared to have less cross-linking and smaller casein aggregates when coagulated at 28°C compared with 36°C, whereas varying protein levels did not show a marked effect on aggregate formation. Overall, this study showed a marked interactive effect between coagulation temperature and protein standardization of milk on coagulation properties, which subsequently requires adjustment of the CW during cheesemaking. Lowering of the coagulation temperature greatly altered the curd microstructure, with a tendency for less syneresis during cutting. Further research is required to quantify the changes in syneresis and in fat and protein losses to whey due to changes in the microstructure of curd particles arising from the different coagulation conditions applied to the protein-fortified milk

Understanding the key phases of the countermovement jump force-time curve

The countermovement jump (CMJ) test is commonly conducted to assess neuromuscular function and is being increasingly performed using force platforms. Comprehensive insight into athletes’ neuromuscular function can be gained through detailed analyses of force-time curves throughout specific phases of the CMJ, beyond jump height alone. Confusingly, however, many different terms and methods have been used to describe the different phases of the CMJ. This article describes how six key phases of the CMJ (weighing, unweighting, braking, propulsion, flight, and landing) can be derived from force-time records to facilitate researchers’ and practitioners’ understanding and application to their own practice

The effect of hip joint angle on isometric midthigh pull kinetics

The aim of this study were to compare isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) peak force (PF), time-specific force values (100-, 150-, and 200 ms), rate of force development (RFD) at predetermined time bands (0–100, 0–150, and 0–200 ms) and net forces between 2 commonly adopted hip joint angles (145°[hip145] and 175°[hip175]) with a 145° standardized knee angle. Twenty-eight collegiate athletes (age: 21.7 ± 1.5 years, height: 1.75 ± 0.08 m, mass: 81.5 ± 8.4 kg) performed 2 IMTP trials at each hip joint angle in a randomized counterbalanced order. A subgroup (n = 10) performed the IMTP testing 7 days later to establish the between-session reliability. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and coefficient of variation (CV) demonstrated high within-session reliability and acceptable variability for all IMTP kinetics at each posture (ICC ≥ 0.86, CV ≤ 13.7%), excluding hip175 RFD 0–100 ms and net force at 100 ms which demonstrated greater variability (CV = 18.1–18.5%). High between-session reliability and acceptable variability were observed for all IMTP kinetics at each posture (ICC = 0.72–0.97, CV = 4.5–12.8%), excluding RFD 0–100 ms which demonstrated greater variability for both postures. Hip145 produced significantly greater time-specific force values (p ≤ 0.025, g = 0.25–0.28), RFD at predetermined time bands (p ≤ 0.001, g = 0.59–0.78), and net forces (p ≤ 0.001, g = 0.57–0.74) compared with hip175. Trivial nonsignificant differences were demonstrated between postures for PF and force at 100 ms (p > 0.05, g ≤ 0.14). Significantly greater body weights (weighing period force) were observed with hip175 compared with hip145 (p < 0.001, g = 0.74). Coaches should consider administering a hip145 for IMTP testing as greater IMTP kinetics and lower levels of pretension during the weighing period are achieved with this posture

The effects of a four week jump-training program on frontal plane projection angle in female gymnasts

Objectives: To investigate the effects of a four week jump training program on frontal plane projection angle (FPPA) in young female gymnasts. Design: Intervention study, consisting of a four week jump training program performed for 15 minutes as part of a warm-up, three days per week for four weeks. Setting: Gymnastics training center. Participants: Fourteen youth female gymnasts (age: 13.5 ± 2.14 years, height: 1.54 ± 0.11 m, body mass: 46.23 ± 7.68 kg). Main Outcome Measures: Change in FPPA during a 30 cm drop landing and tuck back somersault. Results: Large and significant decreases (p &lt; 0.001) in FPPA of 6.8° (39%) and 8.4° (37%) during the drop landing and tuck back somersault, respectively. Conclusion: The jump training program was successful in improving FPPA in female gymnasts and is advised to be implemented into the warm-ups and training programs of competitive female gymnasts to improve FPPA and therefore reduce the risk factors associated with knee injuries

An investigation into the effects of excluding the catch phase of the power clean on force-time characteristics during isometric and dynamic tasks

The aims of this study were to compare the effects of the exclusion or inclusion of the catch phase during power clean (PC) derivatives on force-time characteristics during isometric and dynamic tasks, after two 4-week mesocycles of resistance training. Two strength matched groups completed the twice-weekly training sessions either including the catch phase of the PC derivatives (Catch group: n = 16; age 19.3 ± 2.1 years; height 1.79 ± 0.08 m; body mass 71.14 ± 11.79 kg; PC 1 repetition maximum [1RM] 0.93 ± 0.15 kg·kg-1) or excluding the catch phase (Pull group: n = 18; age 19.8 ± 2.5 years; height 1.73 ± 0.10 m; body mass 66.43 ± 10.13 kg; PC 1RM 0.91 ± 0.18 kg·kg-1). The Catch and Pull groups both demonstrated significant (p ≤ 0.007, power ≥0.834) and meaningful improvements in countermovement jump height (10.8 ± 12.3%, 5.2 ± 9.2%), isometric mid-thigh pull performance (force [F]100: 14.9 ± 17.2%, 15.5 ± 16.0%, F150: 16.0 ± 17.6%, 16.2 ± 18.4%, F200: 15.8 ± 17.6%, 17.9 ± 18.3%, F250: 10.0 ± 16.1%,10.9 ± 14.4%, peak force: 13.7 ± 18.7%, 9.7 ± 16.3%), and PC 1RM (9.5 ± 6.2%, 8.4 ± 6.1%), before and after intervention, respectively. In contrast to the hypotheses, there were no meaningful or significant differences in the percentage change for any variables between groups. This study clearly demonstrates that neither the inclusion nor exclusion of the catch phase of the PC derivatives results in any preferential adaptations over two 4-week, in-season strength and power, mesocycles

Assessment of loaded squat jump height with a free-weight barbell and Smith machine : comparison of the take-off velocity and flight time procedures

The aims of this study were to compare the reliability and magnitude of jump height between the two standard procedures of analysing force platform data to estimate jump height (take-off velocity [TOV] and flight time [FT]) in the loaded squat jump (SJ) exercise performed with a free-weight barbell and in a Smith machine. Twenty-three collegiate men (age 23.1 +/- 3.2 years, body mass 74.7 +/- 7.3 kg, height 177.1 +/- 7.0 cm) were tested twice for each SJ type (free-weight barbell and Smith machine) with 17, 30, 45, 60, and 75 kg loads. No substantial differences in reliability were observed between the TOV (Coefficient of variation [CV]: 9.88%; Intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]: 0.82) and FT (CV: 8.68%; ICC: 0.88) procedures (CV ratio: 1.14), while the Smith SJ (CV: 7.74%; ICC: 0.87) revealed a higher reliability than the free-weight SJ (CV: 9.88%; ICC: 0.81) (CV ratio: 1.28). The TOV procedure provided higher magnitudes of jump height than the FT procedure for the loaded Smith machine SJ (systematic bias: 2.64 cm; P0.05). Heteroscedasticity of the errors was observed for the Smith machine SJ (r2: 0.177) with increasing differences in favour of the TOV procedure for the trials with lower jump height (i.e. higher external loads). Based on these results the use of a Smith machine in conjunction with the FT more accurately determine jump height during the loaded SJ