Abstract
This study examined the selective influences of one-repetition maximum (1RM) values [assessed in the half-squat (HS)] and bar-power production [assessed in both HS and jump squat (JS) exercises] on the physical performance of male and female team sport athletes from four different sports. Three-hundred and three elite players (31 Olympians) from four different disciplines (47 male soccer players, 58 female soccer players, 28 male handball players, 58 female handball players, 49 male rugby players, and 63 male futsal players) participated in this study. The physical tests were performed over 2 consecutive days for soccer and rugby players, and in 1 day for the remaining athletes. On the first day, rugby and soccer athletes performed squat jumps (SJ), countermovement jumps (CMJ), and HS 1RM. On the second day, they executed HS and JS tests (to assess the maximum bar-power output) and the linear and change-of-direction (COD) speed tests. For the other players, the sequence of the measurements was the same; however, they did not perform the HS exercise. Athletes were separated, using a median split analysis, into two distinct groups, according to their bar-power output in both JS and HS exercises and their performance in HS 1RM. The magnitude-based inferences method was used to examine the differences between “higher” and “lower” performance groups. Overall, the bar-power outputs were better connected to improved acceleration, speed, and jump performance than the 1RM measures. From these findings, it is possible to infer that players able to produce higher bar-power outputs are likely to sprint faster and jump higher. Therefore, coaches involved in team sports are strongly encouraged to use the bar-power method to evaluate the athletic performance of their players.
Highlights
Strength and power capabilities play a key role in team sports performance
This study examined the selective influences of 1RM values and bar-power production on the physical performance of male and female team sport athletes of four different sports
The bar-power approach is a practical and useful strategy to assess the physical performance of elite team sport players
Summary
Strength and power capabilities play a key role in team sports performance. Several studies have shown that stronger and more powerful players of different sports are usually capable of accelerating faster, jumping higher, and changing direction more rapidly (Wilson et al, 1993; McBride et al, 2005; Newton et al, 2006; Loturco et al, 2016b; Freitas et al, 2018). Appleby et al (2012) showed that a long-term periodized training model with loads from 60 to 100% 1RM resulted in significant increases in body mass (BM), lean mass index, and upper-body strength in professional rugby union players Despite their popularity, some authors have raised concerns over the safety and usability of 1RM tests in professional sport settings (Chapman et al, 1998; Brown and Weir, 2001; Loturco et al, 2015d), where athletes regularly perform various concurrent and complementary activities, and time and resources are inherently limited (Bishop, 2008; Bishop et al, 2017; Freitas et al, 2018)
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