The relationship between lower limb maximal and explosive strength and change of direction ability: Comparison of basketball and tennis players, and long-distance runners.

Žiga Kozinc,Darjan Smajla,Nejc Šarabon,Peter Andreas Federolf

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0256347

Abstract

Change-of-direction (CoD) ability is an important determinant of athletic performance. Muscle strength is among the most important determinants of CoD ability. However, previous studies investigating the relationship between CoD ability and muscle strength focused mostly on flexor and extensor muscle groups, or used multi-joint exercises, such as jumps, squats or mid-thigh pull. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between CoD ability and strength of ankle, knee, hip and trunk maximal and explosive strength. The participants (n = 327), consisting of male and female basketball players, tennis players and long-distance runners completed isometric strength assessments and CoD testing (90° and 180° turn tests). The times of both CoD tests were associated with muscle strength (peak torques and the rate of torque development variables), with correlation coefficients being mostly weak to moderate (r = 0.2–0.6). Strength variables explained 33%, 62% and 48% of the variance in the 90° turn task, and 42%, 36% and 59% of the variance in the 180° turn task, in basketball players, long-distance runners and tennis players, respectively. Hip and trunk muscle strength variables were the most prevalent in the regression models, especially hip adduction and abduction strength. Our results suggest that the strength of several lower limb muscles, in particular of the hip abductors and adductors, and trunk muscles, but also hip rotators, extensors and flexors, as well as knee and ankle flexors and extensors should be considered when aiming to improve CoD performance.

Highlights

Change-of-direction (CoD) ability is an important determinant of athletic performance within several sports [1, 2], with various CoD maneuvers being routinely executed during gameplay and training
We investigated a larger sample of athletes from basketball and tennis, as CoD performance is an important determinant of performance in these sports [3, 14], and a group of long-distance runners for comparison
The novel finding of this study is that the strength of Hip ABD, ADD, IR and ER, as well as trunk muscles, show moderate positive associations with CoD performance

Summary

Introduction

Change-of-direction (CoD) ability is an important determinant of athletic performance within several sports [1, 2], with various CoD maneuvers being routinely executed during gameplay and training. Soccer players were reported to perform up to 800 cutting movements per game and basketball players show a very high frequency of lateral movements (up to 450 per game) [3]. It is not surprising that a considerable amount of research has been. Change of direction ability and strength interventions for primary and tertiary preventive care). He funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript Change of direction ability and strength interventions for primary and tertiary preventive care). he funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

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