Andrea Fusco

Biomechanical Analysis of Suspension Training Push-up

Abstract Giancotti, GF, Fusco, A, Varalda, C, Capranica, L, and Cortis, C. Biomechanical analysis of suspension training push-up. J Strength Cond Res 32(3): 602–609, 2018—The aims of this study were to evaluate the load distribution between upper and lower extremities during suspension training (ST) push-up at different lengths of ST device and to predict useful equations to estimate the training load. After giving informed consent for participation, 25 subjects (17 men and 8 women; age = 28.1 ± 5.2 years; body mass = 69.4 ± 14.3 kg; height = 171.6 ± 11.3 cm; body mass index (BMI) = 23.4 ± 3.3 kg·m−2) were involved in the study. Each subject performed 14 static push-ups at 7 different lengths of ST device in 2 different elbow positions. The load distribution between upper and lower extremities was evaluated through a load cell and a force platform, respectively. To evaluate body inclination, all tests were recorded and analyzed through motion analysis software. To estimate the training load, a multilevel model regression (p ⩽ 0.05) was used. Results showed that when the length of the ST device increased, the body inclination decreased, whereas the ground reaction force decreased and the load on the ST device increased. Moreover, when subjects moved from extended to flexed elbow, the ground reaction force decreased and the load on the ST device increased. In the created regression model (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.24), the reaction force was the dependent variable, whereas the length of the ST device, BMI, and elbow position were the independent variables. The main findings were that the load distribution between upper and lower extremities changes both when modifying the body inclination and the length of the straps. The use of predicted equations could help practitioners to personalize the workouts according to different specific aims by modifying the length of the ST device to guarantee load progression.

Short-Term Effects of Suspension Training on Strength and Power Performances

Suspension Training (ST) workouts include a variety of movements requiring the individual to maintain balance while performing various resistance exercises in an interval fashion. Although ST is thought to elicit higher muscle activations than traditional exercises, only limited information is available on its acute effects on strength and power performances, especially in relation to gender. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the strength and power acute responses after ST, also in relation to gender. Eighty-eight (46 males, 42 females) participants were administered countermovement jumps (CMJ), squat jumps (SJ), lower limb Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) at 90° angle knee extension, and grip strength (handgrip) before (PRE) and after (POST) a 50 min ST session involving upper, lower body and core exercises. ANOVA for repeated measures was used to evaluate the differences (p < 0.05) in relation to gender and experimental session. After ST session, significantly higher values emerged in males, whereas no significant changes were found in females. Findings indicate that ST as a form of exercise is useful to maintain and improve acute strength and power performances, especially in male participants. Future studies should be carried out to explore the gender-related differences in response to acute bout of ST exercises.

Physical Performance in Elite Male and Female Team Handball Players

PURPOSE Biological differences between men and women are well known; however, literature-addressing knowledge about the influence of sex to specific and general performance in team handball is almost nonexistent. Consequently, the aim of the study was to assess and compare specific and general physical performance in male and female elite team handball players, to determine if the differences are consequential for general compared to specific physical performance characteristics and the relationship between general and specific physical performance. METHODS Twelve male and ten female elite team handball players performed a game based performance test, upper- und lower-body strength and power tests, a sprinting test, and an incremental treadmill-running test. RESULTS Significant differences (P<.05) between male and female players were found for peak oxygen uptake and total running time during the treadmill test, 30m sprinting time, leg extension strength, trunk and shoulder rotation torque, counter movement jump height as well as offense and defense time, ball velocity and jump height in the game based performance test. An interaction (sex × test) was found for time and oxygen uptake and except shoulder rotation torque and ball velocity in females, we found only a low relationship between specific and general physical performance. CONCLUSION The results of the study revealed that male players are heavier, taller, faster, stronger, jump higher and have a better aerobic performance. However, female players performed relatively better in the team handball specific tests compared to the general tests. Our findings also suggest that female players should focus more on strength training.

Relationship between Anthropometrics and Dynamic Balance Performances

Dynamic balance performances are highly affected by the base of support, the center of gravity and its projection within the base of support. Although anthropometric characteristics could be expected to affect dynamic balance performances1, there is a need to substantiate this relationship. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between anthropometric measurements and dynamic balance performances. After signing an informed consent, 26 (female, n=14; male, n=12) college students (25.7±3.4years) were involved in the study. Body mass, height, sitting height, and foot size were measured, whereas lower limbs length was calculated as the difference between standing and sitting height. Dynamic balance performance was assessed on a wobble board (Balance Board WSP, GSJ Service, Rome, Italy; diameter=40cm) as the time spent in the target zone (diameter=6.3cm) displayed on a screen. Participants were asked to stand barefoot on the wobble board with a comfortable double leg stance, keeping their hands on the hip and looking at the screen (displaying performance in real time). After a 3-minute familiarization, three 30-second trials were performed with one minute sitting recovery in between. A correlation analysis (p<0.05) was applied to anthropometrics and balance performances (the best score out of three trials). Time in the target zone (12.7±5.9s) was significantly related to weight (63.8±12.6kg; r=-0.46, p=0.02) and foot size (25.3±1.5cm; r=-0.42, p=0.03), whereas no significant correlation emerged with respect to height (167.0±10.3cm) and lower limbs length (79.6±6.7cm). Therefore, individual anthropometric characteristics should be considered when evaluating dynamic balance performances. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between anthropometric characteristics and the length and area of sways, and lateral movements of the center of mass.