Abstract
The reactive strength index (RSI) is used to assess reactive strength in the lower limbs. Since previous studies have mostly focused on vertical RSI (derived from drop jumps), we investigated the RSI across eight consecutive unilateral horizontal hops and its associations with sprint performance. A sample of 104 male kinesiology students (age: 19.2 ± 1.1 years) performed unilateral hops and 100 m sprints with split times recorded. RSI was determined as the ratio between contact time and subsequent flight time for each hop. On a group level, the horizontal RSI was statistically significantly (p < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.49) and increased from hop 1 (1.04 ± 0.17) to hop 5 (1.41 ± 0.22), but then plateaued (1.43–1.44) for hops 6–8. However, on an individual level, variations in RSI were present all the way to the last hop. All sprint split times were in small-to-moderate correlation with RSI variables (r = 0.25–0.40), implying that individuals with higher hopping RSI presented with shorter sprint times. Future studies should expand the research on the relationship between horizontal hopping RSI and sports performance, and examine if unilateral RSI tests can provide practitioners with valuable information when performed alongside more common vertical RSI tests.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.