Samuel J. Callaghan

Relationship between unilateral jumping ability and asymmetry on multidirectional speed in team-sport athletes.

Abstract Lockie, RG, Callaghan, SJ, Berry, SP, Cooke, ERA, Jordan, CA, Luczo, TM, and Jeffriess, MD. Relationship between unilateral jumping ability and asymmetry on multidirectional speed in team-sport athletes. J Strength Cond Res 28(12): 3557–3566, 2014—The influence of unilateral jump performance, and between-leg asymmetries, on multidirectional speed has not been widely researched. This study analyzed how speed was related to unilateral jumping. Multidirectional speed was measured by 20-m sprint (0–5, 0–10, 0–20-m intervals), left- and right-leg turn 505, and modified T-test performance. Unilateral jump performance, and between-leg asymmetries, was measured by vertical (VJ), standing broad (SBJ), and lateral (LJ) jumping. Thirty male team-sport athletes (age = 22.60 ± 3.86 years; height = 1.80 ± 0.07 m; mass = 79.03 ± 12.26 kilograms) were recruited. Pearsons correlations (r) determined speed and jump performance relationships; stepwise regression ascertained jump predictors of speed (p ⩽ 0.05). Subjects were divided into lesser and greater asymmetry groups from each jump condition. A 1-way analysis of variance found between-group differences (p ⩽ 0.05). Left-leg VJ correlated with the 0–10 and 0–20-m intervals (r = −0.437 to −0.486). Right-leg VJ correlated with all sprint intervals and the T-test (r = −0.380 to −0.512). Left-leg SBJ and LJ correlated with all tests (r = −0.370 to −0.729). Right-leg SBJ and LJ related to all except the left-leg turn 505 (r = −0.415 to −0.650). Left-leg SBJ predicted the 20-m sprint. Left-leg LJ predicted the 505 and T-test. Regardless of the asymmetry used to form groups, no differences in speed were established. Horizontal and LJ performance related to multidirectional speed. Athletes with asymmetries similar to this study (VJ = ∼10%; SBJ = ∼3%; LJ = ∼5%) should not experience speed detriments.

A preliminary investigation into the relationship between functional movement screen scores and athletic physical performance in female team sport athletes

There is little research investigating relationships between the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and athletic performance in female athletes. This study analyzed the relationships between FMS (deep squat; hurdle step [HS]; in-line lunge [ILL]; shoulder mobility; active straight-leg raise [ASLR]; trunk stability push-up; rotary stability) scores, and performance tests (bilateral and unilateral sit-and-reach [flexibility]; 20-m sprint [linear speed]; 505 with turns from each leg; modified T-test with movement to left and right [change-of-direction speed]; bilateral and unilateral vertical and standing broad jumps; lateral jumps [leg power]). Nine healthy female recreational team sport athletes (age = 22.67 ± 5.12 years; height = 1.66 ± 0.05 m; body mass = 64.22 ± 4.44 kilograms) were screened in the FMS and completed the afore-mentioned tests. Percentage between-leg differences in unilateral sit-and-reach, 505 turns and the jumps, and difference between the T-test conditions, were also calculated. Spearmans correlations (p ≤ 0.05) examined relationships between the FMS and performance tests. Stepwise multiple regressions (p ≤ 0.05) were conducted for the performance tests to determine FMS predictors. Unilateral sit-and-reach positive correlated with the left-leg ASLR (r = 0.704-0.725). However, higher-scoring HS, ILL, and ASLR related to poorer 505 and T-test performance (r = 0.722-0.829). A higher-scored left-leg ASLR related to a poorer unilateral vertical and standing broad jump, which were the only significant relationships for jump performance. Predictive data tended to confirm the correlations. The results suggest limitations in using the FMS to identify movement deficiencies that could negatively impact athletic performance in female team sport athletes.

Can Selected Functional Movement Screen Assessments Be Used to Identify Movement Deficiencies That Could Affect Multidirectional Speed and Jump Performance

Abstract Lockie, RG, Schultz, AB, Jordan, CA, Callaghan, SJ, Jeffriess, MD, and Luczo, TM. Can selected functional movement screen assessments be used to identify movement deficiencies that could affect multidirectional speed and jump performance? J Strength Cond Res 29(1): 195–205, 2015—The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) includes lower-body focused tests (deep squat [DS], hurdle step, in-line lunge) that could assist in identifying movement deficiencies affecting multidirectional sprinting and jumping, which are important qualities for team sports. However, the hypothesized relationship with athletic performance lacks supportive research. This study investigated relationships between the lower-body focused screens and overall FMS performance and multidirectional speed and jumping capabilities in team sport athletes. Twenty-two healthy men were assessed in the FMS, and multidirectional speed (0- to 5-m, 0- to 10-m, 0- to 20-m sprint intervals; 505 and between-leg turn differences, modified T-test and differences between initial movement to the left or right); and bilateral and unilateral multidirectional jumping (vertical [VJ], standing long [SLJ], and lateral jump) tests. Pearsons correlations (r) were used to calculate relationships between screening scores and performance tests (p ⩽ 0.05). After the determination of any screens relating to athletic performance, subjects were stratified into groups (3 = high-performing group; 2 = intermediate-performing group; 1 = low-performing group) to investigate movement compensations. A 1-way analysis of variance (p ⩽ 0.05) determined any between-group differences. There were few significant correlations. The DS did moderately correlate with between-leg 505 difference (r = −0.423), and bilateral VJ (r = −0.428) and SLJ (r = −0.457). When stratified into groups according to DS score, high performers had a 13% greater SLJ when compared with intermediate performers, which was the only significant result. The FMS seems to have minimal capabilities for identifying movement deficiencies that could affect multidirectional speed and jumping in male team sport athletes.

Influence of Sprint Acceleration Stance Kinetics on Velocity and Step Kinematics in Field Sport Athletes

Abstract Lockie, RG, Murphy, AJ, Schultz, AB, Jeffriess, MD, and Callaghan, SJ. Influence of sprint acceleration stance kinetics on velocity and step kinematics in field sport athletes. J Strength Cond Res 27(9): 2494–2503, 2013—The interaction between step kinematics and stance kinetics determines sprint velocity. However, the influence that stance kinetics has on effective acceleration in field sport athletes requires clarification. About 25 men (age = 22.4 ± 3.2 years; mass = 82.8 ± 7.2 kg; height = 1.81 ± 0.07 m) completed twelve 10-m sprints, 6 sprints each for kinematic and kinetic assessment. Pearsons correlations (p ⩽ 0.05) examined relationships between 0–5, 5–10, and 0–10 m velocity; step kinematics (mean step length [SL], step frequency, contact time [CT], flight time over each interval); and stance kinetics (relative vertical, horizontal, and resultant force and impulse; resultant force angle; ratio of horizontal to resultant force [RatF] for the first, second, and last contacts within the 10-m sprint). Relationships were found between 0–5, 5–10, and 0–10 m SL and 0–5 and 0–10 m velocity (r = 0.397–0.535). CT of 0–5 and 0–10 m correlated with 5–10 m velocity (r = −0.506 and −0.477, respectively). Last contact vertical force correlated with 5–10 m velocity (r = 0.405). Relationships were established between the second and last contact vertical and resultant force and CT over all intervals (r = −0.398 to 0.569). First and second contact vertical impulse correlated with 0–5 m SL (r = 0.434 and 0.442, respectively). Subjects produced resultant force angles and RatF suitable for horizontal force production. Faster acceleration in field sport athletes involved longer steps, with shorter CT. Greater vertical force production was linked with shorter CT, illustrating efficient force production. Greater SLs during acceleration were facilitated by higher vertical impulse and appropriate horizontal force. Speed training for field sport athletes should be tailored to encourage these technique adaptations.

The relationship between bilateral differences of knee flexor and extensor isokinetic strength and multi-directional speed

This study analyzed relationships between bilateral concentric (60 ◦ /s, 180 ◦ /s, 240 ◦ /s) and eccentric (30 ◦ /s) knee extensor and flexor strength differences, and linear (40-meter sprint), and change-of-direction (T-test) speed in 16 male team sport athletes. It was hypothesized that lower between-leg strength differences would be associated with faster speeds. Subjects were divided into faster and slower groups based on total time; a one-way analysis of variance (p 0.05) determined bilateral torque and work differences that distinguished the groups. All data was combined to correlate (p 0.05) torque and work differences with sprint times. The faster group exhibited greater differences in concentric knee extensor torque at 240 ◦ /s (faster = 11.74 ± 8.65%; slower = 4.13 ± 4.34%), and smaller differences in eccentric knee flexor torque (faster = 5.64 ± 4.10%; slower = 12.41 ± 7.55%) and work (faster = 6.36 ± 6.65%; slower = 15.55 ± 6.05%). Negative correlations were found between concentric 180 ◦ /s and 240 ◦ /s knee extensor torque differences and sprint times; however, speed was not negatively affected. Positive correlations existed between eccentric knee flexor work differences and sprint times. Eccentric strength differences negatively impacted multi-directional speed, as balanced eccentric strength is necessary for effective sprinting, deceleration, and changing direction.

Analysis of specific speed testing for cricketers.

Abstract Lockie, RG, Callaghan, SJ, and Jeffriess, MD. Analysis of specific speed testing for cricketers. J Strength Cond Res 27(11): 2981–2988, 2013—A characteristic of cricket sprints, which may require specific assessment, is that players carry a bat when running between the wickets. This study analyzed the relationships between general and specific cricket speed tests, which included 30-m sprint (0- to 5-, 0- to 10-, 0- to 30-m intervals; general); 505 change-of-direction speed test with left and right foot turns (general); 17.68-m sprint without and with (WB) a cricket bat (0- to 5-, 0- to 17.68-m intervals; specific); and run-a-three (specific). Seventeen male cricketers (age = 24.4 ± 5.0 years; height = 1.84 ± 0.06 m; mass = 86.9 ± 13.9 kg) completed the tests, which were correlated (p < 0.05) to determine if they assessed different physical qualities. The subjects were also split into faster and slower groups based on the 17.68-m WB sprint time. A 1-way analysis of variance ascertained between-group differences in the tests (p < 0.05). The 17.68-m WB sprint correlated with the 0- to 10- and 0- to 30-m sprint intervals (r = 0.63–0.78) but not with the 0- to 5-m interval. The run-a-three correlated with the 505 and 17.68-m WB sprint (r = 0.62–0.90) but not with the 0- to 5-m interval. Poor relationships between the 0- to 5-m interval and cricket-specific tests may be because of the bat inclusion, as the sprints with a bat began with the subject ahead of the start line, and bat placed behind it. Furthermore, although the 17.68-m WB sprint and run-a-three differentiated faster and slower subjects, the 0- to 5-m sprint interval, and left foot 505, did not. The results indicated the necessity for cricket-specific speed testing. The 17.68-m WB sprint and run-a-three are potentially valuable tests for assessing cricket-specific speed. A bat should be incorporated when testing the running between the wickets ability.

The effects of isokinetic knee extensor and flexor strength on dynamic stability as measured by functional reaching

BACKGROUND: Team sport athletes require dynamic stability in unilateral activities for their sports, which necessitates some degree of knee flexion and extension strength. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the possible association of knee extension and flexion strength with dynamic stability, as measured by the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). METHODS: Sixteen male team sport athletes completed the SEBT, which involves a series of unilateral squats with the subject maximally reaching with the other leg in eight directions. Knee muscle strength was measured isokinetically both concentrically (60 ◦ /s, 180 ◦ /s, 240 ◦ /s) and eccentrically (30 ◦ /s). Subjects were divided into better and lesser groups based on mean functional reach distance. A 1-way analysis of variance (p 0.05) determined between-group differences in reach distances and relative torque. RESULTS: Subjects with better dynamic stability generated greater knee extensor torque concentrically at 180 ◦ /s for the right leg, and at all speeds for the left leg. The effects of knee strength were particularly noteworthy for the left leg, as subjects with better dynamic stability reached significantly further across all 8 directions. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that greater knee extensor strength may enhance unilateral dynamic stability in team sport athletes.

Change of direction deficit: A more isolated measure of change of direction performance than total 505 time.

Abstract Nimphius, S, Callaghan, SJ, Spiteri, T, and Lockie, RG. Change of direction deficit: A more isolated measure of change of direction performance than total 505 time. J Strength Cond Res 30 (11): 3024–3032, 2016—Most change of direction (COD) tests use total time to evaluate COD performance. This makes it difficult to identify COD ability because the majority of time is a function of linear running. The COD deficit has been proposed as a practical measure to isolate COD ability independent of sprint speed. This study evaluated relationships between sprint time, 505 time, and COD deficit, and whether the COD deficit identified a different and more isolated measure of COD ability compared with 505 time. Seventeen cricketers performed the 505 for both left and right sides and 30-m sprint tests (with 10-m split time). The COD deficit for both sides was calculated as the difference between average 505 and 10-m time. Correlations were calculated between all variables (p ⩽ 0.05). To compare 505 time and COD deficit, z-scores were calculated; the difference in these scores was evaluated for each subject. The COD deficit correlated to 505 (r = 0.74–0.81) but not sprint time (r = −0.11 to 0.10). In contrast, 505 time did correlate with sprint time (r = 0.52–0.70). Five of 17 subjects were classified differently for COD ability when comparing standardized scores for 505 time vs. COD deficit. Most subjects (88–94%) had a meaningful difference between 505 time and COD deficit. Using 505 time to determine COD ability may result in a large amount of replication to linear speed assessments. The COD deficit may be a practical tool to better isolate and identify an athletes ability to change direction.

Effects of Sprint and Plyometrics Training on Field Sport Acceleration Technique

Abstract Lockie, RG, Murphy, AJ, Callaghan, SJ, and Jeffriess, MD. Effects of sprint and plyometrics training on field sport acceleration technique. J Strength Cond Res 28(7): 1790–1801, 2014—The mechanisms for speed performance improvement from sprint training and plyometrics training, especially relating to stance kinetics, require investigation in field sport athletes. This study determined the effects of sprint training and plyometrics training on 10-m sprint time (0–5, 5–10, and 0–10 m intervals), step kinematics (step length and frequency, contact and flight time), and stance kinetics (first, second, and last contact relative vertical [VF, VI], horizontal [HF, HI], and resultant [RF, RI] force and impulse; resultant ground reaction force angle [RF&thgr;]; ratio of horizontal to resultant force [RatF]) during a 10-m sprint. Sixteen male field sport athletes were allocated into sprint training (ST) and plyometrics training (PT) groups according to 10-m sprint time; independent samples t-tests (p ⩽ 0.05) indicated no between-group differences. Training involved 2 sessions per week for 6 weeks. A repeated measures analysis of variance (p ⩽ 0.05) determined within- and between-subject differences. Both groups decreased 0–5 and 0–10 m time. The ST group increased step length by ∼15%, which tended to be greater than step length gains for the PT group (∼7%). The ST group reduced first and second contact RF&thgr; and RatF, and second contact HF. Second contact HI decreased for both groups. Results indicated a higher post-training emphasis on VF production. Vertical force changes were more pronounced for the PT group for the last contact, who increased or maintained last contact VI, RF, and RI to a greater extent than the ST group. Sprint and plyometrics training can improve acceleration, primarily through increased step length and a greater emphasis on VF.

Planned and reactive agility performance in semiprofessional and amateur basketball players

CONTEXT Research indicates that planned and reactive agility are different athletic skills. These skills have not been adequately assessed in male basketball players. PURPOSE To define whether 10-m-sprint performance and planned and reactive agility measured by the Y-shaped agility test can discriminate between semiprofessional and amateur basketball players. METHODS Ten semiprofessional and 10 amateur basketball players completed 10-m sprints and planned- and reactive-agility tests. The Y-shaped agility test involved subjects sprinting 5 m through a trigger timing gate, followed by a 45° cut and 5-m sprint to the left or right through a target gate. In the planned condition, subjects knew the cut direction. For reactive trials, subjects visually scanned to find the illuminated gate. A 1-way analysis of variance (P < .05) determined between-groups differences. Data were pooled (N = 20) for a correlation analysis (P < .05). RESULTS The reactive tests differentiated between the groups; semiprofessional players were 6% faster for the reactive left (P = .036) and right (P = .029) cuts. The strongest correlations were between the 10-m sprints and planned-agility tests (r = .590-.860). The reactive left cut did not correlate with the planned tests. The reactive right cut moderately correlated with the 10-m sprint and planned right cut (r = .487-.485). CONCLUSIONS The results reemphasized that planned and reactive agility are separate physical qualities. Reactive agility discriminated between the semiprofessional and amateur basketball players; planned agility did not. To distinguish between male basketball players of different ability levels, agility tests should include a perceptual and decision-making component.