Anthony N. Turner

Relationship between Repeated Sprint Ability and Aerobic Capacity in Professional Soccer Players

Aim. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between maximal aerobic capacity (VO2 max) and repeated sprint ability (RSA) in a group of professional soccer players. Methods. Forty-one professional soccer players (age 23 ± 4 yrs, height 180.0 ± 5.3 cm, weight 79.6 ± 5.3 kg) were required to perform tests to assess RSA and VO2 max on two separate days with at least 48 hr rest between testing sessions. Each player performed a treadmill test to determine their VO2 max and a test for RSA involving the players completing 6 × 40 m sprints (turn after 20 m) with 20 s active recovery between each sprint. Results. There was a significant negative correlation between body mass normalised VO2 max and mean sprint time (RSAmean) (r = −0.655; P < 0.01) and total sprint time (RSAtotal) (r = −0.591, P < 0.01). Conclusion. Results of the current study indicate that VO2 max is one important factor aiding soccer players in the recovery from repeated sprint type activities.

Reliability, factorial validity, and interrelationships of five commonly used change of direction speed tests

Change of direction speed (CODS) is often considered a main determinant of successful performance in many team sports and is routinely measured using field‐based tests. However, controversy regarding test selection still exists based upon the reliability and specificity of the tests. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the reliability, factorial validity, and interrelationships of five frequently used CODS tests (Illinois, L‐Run, Pro‐Agility, T‐test, and 505). Forty‐four physical education students (male n = 24; female n = 20; age; 16.7 ± 0.6), who compete within team sports, to varying levels of competition, participated in this study. Three trials for each of the five tests were recorded. All tests had high (intraclass correlation coefficient) test–retest reliability (r = 0.88–0.95) and low typical percentage error (1.95–2.40%). The principle component factor analysis resulted in the extraction of one significant component which explained 89.52% of the total variance. All selected tests were positively and strongly correlated (r = 0.84–0.89). Based upon the results of this study, it was concluded that all tests are highly reliable and valid measures of CODS, with all tests assessing a general athletic ability to change direction. Future research should investigate the factorial validity of the CODS test within homogenous samples.

Determinants of olympic fencing performance and implications for strength and conditioning training.

Fencing is one of only a few sports that have featured at every modern Olympic games. Despite this, there is still much the sport science team does not know regarding competition demands and athlete physical characteristics. This review aims to undertake an analysis of the current literature to identify what is known, and questions that must be answered to optimize athlete support in this context. In summary, fencing is an explosive sport requiring energy production predominately from anaerobic sources. Lunging and change-of-direction speed seem vital to performance, and strength and power qualities underpin this. In the elimination rounds, fencers are likely to accumulate high levels of blood lactate, and so high-intensity interval training is recommended to reduce the intolerance to and the accumulation of hydrogen ions. Injury data report the hamstrings as a muscle group that should be strengthened and address imbalances caused by continuous fencing in an asymmetrical stance.

The Usefulness and Reliability of Fitness Testing Protocols for Ice Hockey Players: A Literature Review

Abstract Nightingale, SC, Miller, S, and Turner, A. The usefulness and reliability of fitness testing protocols for ice hockey players: A literature review. J Strength Cond Res 27(6): 1742–1748, 2013—Ice hockey, like most sports, uses fitness testing to assess athletes. This study reviews the current commonly used fitness testing protocols for ice hockey players, discussing their predictive values and reliability. It also discusses a range of less commonly used measures and limitations in current testing protocols. The article concludes with a proposed testing program suitable for ice hockey players.

Strength and conditioning for fencing

SUMMARY SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH INTO FENCING IS SPARSE AND LITTLE RELATES TO STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING. IN OUR EXPERIENCE OF WORKING WITHIN FENCING, IT IS A PREDOMINATELY ANAEROBIC SPORT CHARACTERISED BY EXPLOSIVE HIGH-POWER MOVEMENTS. CONSEQUENTLY, FENCERS SHOULD BE CAUTIOUS OF SOME OF THE TRADITIONAL TRAINING METHODS CURRENTLY USED SUCH AS LONG SLOW DISTANCE RUNNING BECAUSE THIS IS LIKELY TO BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO PERFORMANCE. INSTEAD, EXERCISES AND CONDITIONING DRILLS THAT DEVELOP REPEAT LUNGE ABILITY, STRENGTH, AND POWER SHOULD BE USED. THE HIGH PROPORTION OF LUNGING ALSO DICTATES THE NEED FOR ECCENTRIC STRENGTH AND CONTROL AND THE ABILITY TO REDUCE MUSCLE DAMAGE.

Increasing the Impact Force of the Rear Hand Punch

ONE OF THE MOST RENOWNED STRIKES WITHIN COMBAT SPORTS IS THE REAR HAND PUNCH. ITS IMPACT FORCE IS SUBJECT TO 5 TRAINABLE VARIABLES: (A) INCREASE REAR LEG DRIVE, (B) FOLLOWING THE STEP FORWARD, LAND WITH A RIGID LEG TO INCREASE BREAKING AND TRANSMISSION OF FORCES, (C) INCREASE THE STRETCH-SHORTENING CYCLE ACTION OF THE TRUNK MUSCULATURE, (D) INCREASE THE VELOCITY OF THE PUNCH, AND (E) INCREASE THE EFFECTIVE MASS. IT IS POSSIBLE, THROUGH APPROPRIATE STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PROGRAMMING, TO TARGET THE DEVELOPMENT OF EACH.

Lower extremity stiffness: effects on performance and injury and implications for training

ABSTRACT THIS ARTICLE REVIEWS RESEARCH TO DATE ON LOWER EXTREMITY STIFFNESS RELATIVE TO ITS EFFECTS ON PERFORMANCE AND INJURY. EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT AN OPTIMAL AMOUNT OF LOWER EXTREMITY STIFFNESS IS REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE, AS TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE CAN BE DETRIMENTAL AND POSSIBLY INJURY INDUCING. METHODS OF MEASURING LOWER EXTREMITY STIFFNESS AND FAST STRETCH-SHORTENING CYCLE PERFORMANCE ARE SUGGESTED. IN TERMS OF TRAINING, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A COMBINATION OF STRENGTH AND PLYOMETRIC TRAINING BE PERFORMED, AS WELL AS CORRECT EXECUTION OF LANDING MECHANICS TO IMPROVE INTERMUSCULAR COORDINATION AND TO AVOID INJURY-PROVOKING DOMINANT AGONIST-TO-ANTAGONIST COACTIVATION RATIOS.

A Testing Battery for the Assessment of Fitness in Soccer Players

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH SOCCER TEAMS MUST BE ABLE TO ADMINISTER A TIME-EFFICIENT, VALID, AND RELIABLE FITNESS TEST, WITH HIGH CONTENT VALIDITY. BASED ON THESE CRITERIA AND THE RESEARCH HEREIN, THE FOLLOWING BATTERY IS ADVISED: ANTHROPOMETRY, SQUAT JUMP, COUNTER MOVEMENT JUMP, REACTIVE STRENGTH, 1 REPETITION MAXIMUM (1RM) POWER CLEAN, 1RM SQUAT, PRO-AGILITY, LINEAR SPEED, AND YO-YO INTERMITTENT RECOVERY TEST. THE RESULTS CAN GUIDE THE STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PROFESSIONALS AND TECHNICAL COACHES IN PROGRAM DESIGN, LEADING TO MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT GOAL ACHIEVEMENT.

Bone mineral density, rib pain and other features of the female athlete triad in elite lightweight rowers

Objective To determine bone mineral density (BMD) and the associations among BMD, menstrual history, disordered eating (DE), training history, intentional weight loss (IWL) and rib pain for the first time in female lightweight rowers. Setting 9 lightweight rowing clubs, UK. Participants 29 Caucasian female lightweight rowers volunteered. 21 (12 active, 9 retired) completed the study. Inclusion criteria: female lightweight rowers aged over 18 years. Exclusion criteria: participants with a history of bone disease, used medications known to influence BMD or if they were pregnant, lactating or postmenopausal. Main outcome measures Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measured total body (TB) composition and BMD at the spine, femoral neck (FN), radius and TB. DE, oligomenorrhoea/amenorrhoea years; rib pain and training history. Results DE was reported in six of the rowers. The active with DE started rowing younger (p<0.05) than those without, and their amount of IWL was associated with Eating Attitudes Test-26 score (p<0.05). Some participants reported a history of oligomenorrhoea/amenorrhoea 17 (76%) and/or rib pain 7 (32%) with those with rib pain having lower spine and TB Z-scores (p<0.05) than those without. Those with oligomenorrhoea/amenorrhoea had lower spine Z-scores (p<0.01) than those without. Twelve participants had low BMD; three at spine; one at FN; and eight at radius. Thirteen per cent of mean total training hours (18.6±9.1 h/week) were spent strength training (2.4±2.2 h/week). Conclusions Upper body exercises incorporating multidimensional high peak bone strain were not reported and may need to be considered in their strength training to improve radial BMD. Results suggest IWL and high-level training at a young age increases the likelihood of DE and there may be a lack of quality nutritional support for these athletes. Thus, multidisciplinary sport science support should be offered at a young age and perhaps also to consider changing the weight rules to prevent the development of the Triad.

The effects of postactivation potentiation on golf club head speed.

Abstract Read, PJ, Miller, SC, and Turner, AN. The effects of postactivation potentiation on golf club head speed. J Strength Cond Res 27(6): 1579–1582, 2013—In golf, an increase in club head speed (CHS) has been shown to increase driving distance and is correlated with handicap. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a postactivation potentiation (PAP) intervention on CHS. A FlightScope launch monitor was used to record CHS in 16 golfers (aged 20.1 ± 3.24 years, handicap 5.8 ± 2.26) during 2 testing sessions that were separated by 1 hour, using a counterbalanced design. The mean CHS of 3 swings was recorded with (experimental) and without (control) 3 preceding countermovement jumps (CMJs). An increase in CHS of 2.25 mph (effect size, 0.16; p < 0.05) 1 minute after the CMJ intervention was recorded. Therefore, acute enhancements in CHS are possible when performing a CMJ before a golf drive. This may have implications for training and on-course performance enhancement as a result of increased driving distance and possible reductions in handicap; this PAP intervention is practically viable.