Linear Sprint Research Articles

Sprint kinematics of amateur soccer players post half-time of simulated soccer match

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of half-time simulated soccer matches on the sprint kinematics of amateur soccer players. This study was a pilot experimental study with a pre-test/post-test design. Eighteen amateur-level soccer players (age: 22.88±4.19 years) attending a preparatory camp for the senior national championship were recruited for the study. Baseline assessments of sprint kinematics using a 30 m linear sprint test were conducted before the simulated soccer match. The F-V profiling of the participants was the dependent variable. Post-assessments were conducted immediately after the simulation protocol. Although there were no statistically significant changes (p = 0.12 to 0.65) observed from pre- to post-test, trivial to small effect sizes were found, with percent changes ranging from 0% to 3.7%. The results showed that half-time simulation had a negative effect (i.e., trivial to small) on sprint kinematics in amateur-level soccer players. The findings of this study suggest that half-time simulated soccer matches negatively affect sprint kinematics in amateur-level soccer players.

Investigating the Relevance of Maximal Speed and Acceleration in Varsity-Level Female Ice Hockey Players.

To characterize and compare female ice hockey players' peak skating speed and acceleration ability during linear sprints and gameplay. We also sought to quantify the time spent at various speeds and the frequency of accelerations at different thresholds during games. Seventeen varsity-level female ice hockey players (20 [1.4]y, 68.9 [4.9]kg, 167.6 [4.7]cm) participated in an on-ice practice session (performing 3 × 40-m linear sprints) and 4 regular-season games while being monitored using a local positioning system. Speed and acceleration were recorded from the sprint and within-game monitoring. Time on ice spent in relative skating speed zones and the frequency of accelerations at different intensities were recorded. Players' greatest peak speeds (29.5 [1.3] vs 28.3 [1.1]km/h) and accelerations (4.39 [0.48] vs 3.34 [0.36]m/s2) reached during gameplay were higher than those reached in linear sprinting (both P < .01). Peak in-game values were moderately predicted by linear sprint values for speed (r = .69, P < .01) but not for acceleration (r < .01, P = .95). Players spent little time at near-peak linear sprint speeds (≥80% [22.7km/h], ∼3% time on ice; ≥90% [25.5km/h], <1% of time on ice) during gameplay. However, 26% to 35% of accelerations recorded during the 4 games were ≥90% of linear sprint acceleration. Although skating speed may be advantageous in specific game situations, our results suggest that players spend little time at near-maximal speeds while accelerating frequently during games. This warrants further investigation of direction changes, skating transitions, repeated sprints, and other determinant variables potentially related to on-ice success and the implementation of training strategies to improve repeated acceleration or qualities beyond maximal skating speed.

Effects of Complex-Contrast Versus Traditional Resistance Training on Linear Sprint, Change-of-Direction Speed, Jumps, and Maximal Strength of Physically Active Males

Effects of Complex-Contrast Versus Traditional Resistance Training on Linear Sprint, Change-of-Direction Speed, Jumps, and Maximal Strength of Physically Active Males

Linear Sprint Testing Methods in Gaelic Games: A Systematic Review

Linear Sprint Testing Methods in Gaelic Games: A Systematic Review

The Association between Countermovement Rebound Jump Metrics and Independent Measures of Athletic Performance

This study investigates the associations between countermovement rebound jump (CMRJ) performance metrics and various independent measures of athletic performance, including the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), 20 m linear sprint, and 505 change-of-direction (COD) speed tests. Pearson’s correlations were used to analyse the relationship between the CMRJ measures with athletic performance, with significance being set at p ≤ 0.006. Results showed large significant positive relationships between IMTP peak force and force at 300 milliseconds with the first jump height of the CMRJ (JH-1, r = 0.54 to 0.55, p ≤ 0.002). Additionally, inverse relationships were observed between reactive strength index modified (RSImod) and reactive strength index (RSI) with 20 m sprint total and split times (r = −0.55 to −0.66, p ≤ 0.001), and the 10 m and total sprint times were significantly correlated with JH-1 (r = −0.54, p = 0.003), indicating that greater vertical explosive power and reactive strength are associated with faster sprint performance. Finally, a significant inverse relationship was identified between CMRJ metrics (two JH values and RSImod) and 505 COD times in both the left and right sides (r = −0.51 to −0.68, p ≤ 0.006). These findings suggest that CMRJ performance metrics are valuable indicators of lower-limb explosive force production, with a strong link to both linear sprint and COD performance. The finding underscores the importance of including CMRJ assessments in athletic performance evaluations due to their dual assessment capacity of slow and fast stretch–shortening cycle mechanics.

The relationship between agility, linear sprinting, and vertical jumping performance in U-14 and professional senior team sports players.

The aim of this paper is to determine the relationship between the modified agility T-test (change of direction speed ability), 20-meter sprint test (linear speed ability), and countermovement jump test (vertical jumping performance) in U-14 and professional senior team sports players. The sample included 78 (59 female and 19 male) U-14 athletes (age 11.70 ± 1.33 years, height 153.00 ± 12.20 cm and body mass 47.10 ± 11.20 kg) and 43 (18 female and 25 male) senior professional athletes (age 24.80 ± 6.58 years, height 169.00 ± 9.13 cm and body mass 71.20 ± 15.10 kg). Both samples participated in different team sports including basketball, field hockey, and football. Participants underwent a series of tests to assess their speed, change of direction speed, and explosive power. Speed assessments involved 20-meter sprints (sec), while change of direction speed was measured using the modified agility T-test (sec). Explosive power was evaluated through countermovement jumps (CMJ), where concentric mean force (N), concentric peak force (N), concentric peak velocity (m/s), eccentric peak force (N), jump height (cm), peak power (W), peak power/BM (W/kg), RSI (m/s) and vertical velocity (m/s) were determined. Pearsońs product moment-correlation coefficient (r) served to determine correlations and linear regression was conducted to explain the relationship between the dependent variable (CODS) and independent variables (S20 m and CMJ). The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 and the confidence interval was 95%. The Pearson product-moment correlation analysis in the U-14 athletes indicated no correlation (r = 0.11, p = 0.34) between the 20-meter linear sprint speed and the modified change of direction T-test. Additionally, the results revealed that 4 out of 10 CMJ values showed a significant moderate correlation (r = 0.3, p < 0.05) between CMJ and the modified change of direction T-test. In contrast, senior players exhibited statistically significant correlations in all variables. A significant correlation (r = 0.90, p = 0.01) was found between 20-meter linear sprint speed and the modified change of direction T-test, while CMJ values showed a range of correlations from moderate to large. In both competitive categories, according to the linear regression model, only linear sprint speed over 20-meters significantly explained (p < 0.05) the CODS speed ability, while the other CMJ parameters did not reach the significance level (p > 0.05). The study emphasized the influence of explosive power performance (CMJ) and linear speed (S20 m) on agility (CODS) within the sample, particularly among professional senior team sports players. These findings indicate that agility, linear sprinting, and jumping abilities may share common underlying factors.

Jump height ingenerated by countermovement and arm swing better correlates with proagility shuttle run tests but not with change of direction deficits in collegiate female athletes.

Jumping and linear sprinting performances show a moderate correlation with change of direction (COD) ability. However, the extent of these correlations remains unknown through statistical analysis. Thus, this study statistically compared correlation coefficients between COD, COD deficit (CODD), and jumping and linear sprint performances. National-level basketball (29) and baseball (18) intercollegiate female athletes performed 20-m linear sprint, proagility (5-10-5) test, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump with (CMJarm) and without (CMJ) arm swing and modified reactive strength index (RSImod). Correlation analysis was used to assess factors correlated with COD performance and CODD; subsequently, correlation coefficient comparison test was used to determine better correlations with COD and CODD performance. CMJ (r=-0.483) and CMJarm (r=-0.446) had stronger correlations with 10-m COD (both, P<0.018) than with 10-m linear sprint (r=0.431, P=0.002). For 20-m COD, RSImod, CMJ, and CMJarm (r=-0.491--0.543, P<0.001) better correlated with 20-m COD than with 20-m linear sprints (r=0.436, P=0.002), while RSI (both r=-0.317, P<0.030) and SJ (r=-0.359, r=-0.293, P=0.046) were weakly correlated with 10- and 20-m COD. The differences in correlation coefficients for RSImod, CMJ, and CMJarm were not significant in both 10- and 20-m COD. Ten-meter linear sprint performance only correlated with 10-m CODD, while no correlation was observed with 20-m CODD. Stronger correlations of RSImod, CMJ, and CMJarm with 10-/20-m COD than with linear sprinting, RSI, and SJ suggest that training focused on improving countermovement and arm swings with jumping may enhance COD performance in female athletes.

Exploring the relationship between lower limb strength, strength asymmetries, and curvilinear sprint performance: Findings from a pilot study.

Team sports involve various sprinting actions, including curvilinear sprints, yet their neuromuscular factors have been understudied. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between lower limb muscle strength, strength asymmetries, linear sprint and curvilinear sprint performance. At two visits 12 male (age: 24.8 ± 4.7 years, height: 1.82 ± 0.06 m, body mass: 80 ± 6.58 kg) and 6 female (age: 20.8 ± 1.33 years, body height: 1.60 ± 0.02 m, body mass: 55.3 ± 2.88 kg) student-athletes completed isometric strength measurements of the knee flexors (KF), knee extensors (KE), hip abductors (HABD), hip adductors (HADD), as well as linear sprint and curvilinear sprint to the right and left. Sprint split times over 30 m (t30) were measured and curvilinear sprint split time deficits (t30deficit) and inter-limb strength asymmetries were calculated. Very large negative correlations were observed between HADD and HABD strength on one side and t30 of curvilinear sprint to the left (r = -0.75 and -0.71; p < 0.001) and right (ρ = -0.81 and -0.70; p < 0.001) on the other. The regression model consisting of HADD, HABD, and KF explained 76% and 67% of the variance in left and right curvilinear sprint t30, respectively. Similarly, 59% of the left curvilinear sprint t30deficit variance was explained by the HABD and KF strength. High inter-limb HABD strength symmetry was related to better left and right curvilinear sprint t30 (r = 0.71 and ρ = 0.75, p < 0.001). These results highlight the pivotal role of hip strength for curvilinear sprint speed, and emphasize the need of symmetrical HABD muscle strength to optimize neuromuscular function during curvilinear sprint.

Investigating the Effectiveness of Six-Week Plyometric Training Intervention on Speed-Strength Fitness Abilities of Male Team Handball Players

Background and study aim: Plyometric training is widely acknowledged as an effective option for athletes to attain improved physical performance. A variety of exercises involving the lower limb's stretch-shortening cycle can be used for plyometric training. Numerous studies have examined the impact of plyometric training on various outcomes in various populations over the past few decades. Objective: This study set out to ascertain how a six-week plyometric training programme affected the development of speed-strength fitness measurements in male team handball athletes. Material and methods: Total of thirty intercollegiate level team handball athletes were randomly assigned to 2 groups i.e. plyometric training group with an average age of 20.7 ± 0.7 years, height of 175.3 ±4.2, weight of 75.1 ± 4.1 and BMI of 24.43 ± 0.97; control group with an average age of 20.8 ± 0.7, height of 175.1 ± 4., weight of 74.9 ± 3.1 and BMI of 24.47 ± 1.37. The linear sprint (10 m and 30 m), standing long jump (SLJ), and change of direction sprint (CODS) were evaluated before and after the intervention for thirty male team handball athletes who were randomly assigned to either the plyometric training group (PTG) (n = 15) or the control group (CG) (n = 15). Results: Within group changes were analyzed using paired t-test. The significant differences obtained between the tests in all dependent variables. Conclusion: When it comes to linear sprints, standing long jumps, and change of direction sprints, plyometric training works better than CG. Consequently, adding either plyometric training or sport-specific training to an athlete's regimen may help male team handball players achieve greater speed-strength fitness.

The importance of core strength for change of direction speed.

Change of direction speed (CODS) is determined by several physical aspects, such as linear sprint speed, reactive strength and power of leg muscles. It appears that core strength may also play a role in CODS, however, its relationship to CODS remains unclear. The aim of this narrative review was to analyze the literature addressing a) the relationship between core strength and CODS and b) the effect of core strength training on CODS. This analysis revealed a significant relationship between the parameters of core strength and stability (the pressure of the activated core muscles during lower limb movement and the greatest mean force output of maximum volunteered contraction) and the time in the Agility T-Test. However, this parameter was not significantly related to the strength endurance of core muscles (total time in the plank test). Core training provides a sufficient stimulus for the development of CODS in less-skilled middle-adolescent athletes, while its effectiveness decreases in higher-skilled adult athletes. These findings indicate that core muscle strength contributes significantly to the change of direction speed. Core training is therefore useful for improving CODS.

Association between Sprint and Jump Performance and Maximum Strength in Standing Calf Raise or Squat in Elite Youth Soccer Players.

Soccer is a complex sports discipline that requires players to engage in diverse high-intensity and multidirectional activities. The optimization of strength and conditioning programs requires a comprehensive understanding of the physical attributes influencing player performance. While previous research has demonstrated the influence of knee and hip extensor muscles on the performance in sprints and other explosive movements, this study aimed to establish the relationship between plantar flexor muscle strength and high-intensity actions. Back squat (BS) and calf raise (CR) one-repetition maxima as well as linear sprint (5-, 10-, 30 m) and drop jump performance from different heights (15, 30, 45 and 60 cm) were measured in 45 elite youth players (age: 16.62 ± 1.1 years). Results showed significant negative correlations between BS strength and sprint times (r = -0.60 to -0.61), confirming the importance of lower limb extensor muscle strength in short-distance sprints. While no significant correlations were found with sprint performances, CR strength was significantly associated with drop jump test results from 45 and 60 cm drop height (r = 0.36 to 0.46). These findings demonstrate that isolated CR strength positively influences the performance in actions involving rapid stretch-shortening cycles, which suggests that current strength and conditioning programs for youth soccer players should be extended to also include exercises specifically targeting the plantar flexor muscles. While this cross-sectional study provides novel insights into the complex interplay between muscle strength and soccer-specific performance, its findings need to be corroborated in longitudinal studies directly testing the impact of plantar flexor strength training.

Monitoring of sprint and change of direction velocity, vertical jump height, and repeated sprint ability in sub-elite female football players throughout their menstrual cycle

ABSTRACT Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between the early follicular (EF, i.e., menstruation), late follicular (LF), and middle luteal (ML) phases of the menstrual cycle and different factors that may influence football performance. Methods To this end, 11 eumenorrheic sub-elite female football players underwent field tests to assess sprint speed, lower extremity power, repeated sprint ability, velocity on change of direction, and technical skills at each cycle phase. Results Performance during the 15-m change of direction ability test, 15-m ball dribbling test, squat jump height, total sprint time [sum of 7 sprints] and decrement score [(mean sprint time/best sprint time × 100) − 100], maximum and mean heart rate, and perceived exertion did not significantly differ among menstrual cycle phases. Conversely, the linear sprint velocity over 10, 20, 30-m distances was decreased in EF vs LF (10-, 20- and 30-m) and in ML vs LF (10- and 20-m) (p < 0.05). The 40-m sprint velocity did not change in the different menstrual cycle phases. Conclusion Overall, our study suggests that sex hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle are not associated with vertical jump, velocity on change of direction, and repeated sprint ability, but may influence linear sprint velocity over short distances (10, 20, and 30 m).

SAQ training on sprint, change-of-direction speed, and agility in U-20 female football players.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week speed, agility, and quickness (SAQ) training on performance changes in linear sprint speed, change-of-direction (COD) speed, and reactive agility of U-20 female football players. Nineteen female football players randomly served as either experimental (n = 9) or control groups (n = 10). The players were tested for physical fitness tests: linear sprint speed including both short and long distances (5- and 10-m sprints without a ball and 20- and 30-m sprints with and without dribbling), COD speed (arrowhead agility test with and without dribbling a ball, Southeast Missouri [SEMO] agility test, and 22-m repeated slalom dribbling test), and reactive agility. Significant group × time interactions were observed for sprint over long distances and COD speed but not for short sprint and reactive agility performances. Paired t-tests revealed considerable improvements in all performances from the pre-test to post-test for the SAQ group, except for the arrowhead agility (left; p = .07). The control group only exhibited significant improvements in 10-m sprint performance after general football training. Eight weeks of SAQ training were effective at enhancing acceleration, maximum sprint speed, and agility performances amongst highly trained U-20 female football players.

Effects of Postactivation Potentiation enhacement on sprint and change–of–direction performance in athletes: A systematic review

BackgroundTraining interventions like Resisted Sled Training, Complex Training, Plyometric training, and recently, Postactivation Potentiation Enhancement (PAPE) protocols are being employed by sportsmen for performance enhancement. Currently, there is no conclusive evidence on the effectiveness of the PAPE protocols and methods to integrate them into the training. The current systematic review aims to critically summarize the current evidence on PAPE protocols’ effect on Sprint and Change of Direction (COD) performance in Athletes and study the influence of the Type of PAPE protocols, Recovery duration, Volumes, and loads of PAPE protocols. MethodsA systematic computerized literature search was performed from December 2020 to June 2022 on the databases: MEDLINE (assessed by PubMed), CENTRAL (Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials), PeDro, and Science direct. The major criteria for inclusion were Athletes (Population) who performed PAPE protocol as Intervention before Sprint and/or COD assessment tests. The studies were individually assessed for Risk of Bias using EPHPP (Effective Public Health Practice Project) Tool. ResultsA total of sixteen studies were included. For Linear sprint, nine studies reported a significant PAPE effect whereas, six studies reported insignificant effects. Whereas, for COD performance, two studies reported insignificant results and one study reported significant CODS enhancements The recovery duration ranged from 15 s up to 16 min. ConclusionPAPE protocols can be incorporated provided the recovery duration is of Moderate duration (3–8mins) or Individualized durations, using multiple sets (2–6), moderate-high loads (>85% 1-RM), type of protocol is Barbell Hip Thrust, Plyometrics or Unilateral biomechanically similar exercises to Running.

Effects of Plyometric Training on Physical Fitness Attributes in Handball Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This meta-analysis aimed to examine the effects of plyometric training on physical fitness attributes in handball players. A systematic literature search across PubMed, SCOPUS, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science identified 20 studies with 563 players. Plyometric training showed significant medium-to-large effects on various attributes: countermovement jump with arms (ES = 1.84), countermovement jump (ES = 1.33), squat jump (ES = 1.17), and horizontal jump (ES = 0.83), ≤ 10-m linear sprint time (ES = -1.12), > 10-m linear sprint time (ES = -1.46), repeated sprint ability with change-of-direction time (ES = -1.53), agility (ES = -1.60), maximal strength (ES = 0.52), and force-velocity (muscle power) (ES = 1.13). No significant impact on balance was found. Subgroup analysis indicated more pronounced agility improvements in players ≤ 66.6 kg compared to > 66.6 kg (ES = -1.93 vs. -0.23, p = 0.014). Additionally, greater improvements were observed in linear sprint and repeat sprint ability when comparing training durations of > 8 weeks with those ≤ 8 weeks (ES = -2.30 to -2.89 vs. ES = -0.92 to -0.97). In conclusion, plyometric training effectively improves various physical fitness attributes, including jump performance, linear sprint ability, maximal strength, muscle power and agility.

Influence of the Stick Grasping in Sprint and Change of Direction Performance in Elite Youth Rink Hockey Players

This study aimed to investigate the influence of stick grasping on the performance of elite youth rink hockey players in 10 m linear sprints and 180° change of direction (COD) tasks. Forty-nine rink hockey players (age = 18.40 ± 2.12 year; body mass = 73.52 ± 6.02 kg; height = 1.82 ± 0.07 m; BMI = 23.61 ± 1.69; sports experience = 6.42 ± 1.41 years; 4.89 ± 0.68 years’ post-peak height velocity) participated in this cross-sectional study. Measurements included 10 m sprint time and COD 180° performance with and without stick grasping. Results revealed non-significant differences when carrying a stick in the 10 m linear sprint (1.90 s ± 0.08 with stick vs. 1.89 s ± 0.08 without stick; p = 0.71; d = 0.05), neither did COD 180° for the left limb (2.75s ± 0.11 with stick vs. 2.76 s ± 0.11 without stick; p = 0.91; d = 0.02). However, for the right limb, significantly better performance in COD 180° was found when players held the stick (2.72 s ± 0.11 with stick vs. 2.75 s ± 0.09 without stick; p = 0.03; d = 0.32). These findings imply that the distinctive biomechanics and requirements of rink hockey, especially the lateral movements inherent in skating, might alleviate the negative impacts associated with implement grasping observed in other sports. This study highlights that stick grasping did not hinder COD ability and may even have a facilitating effect on certain movements, emphasizing the importance of considering sport-specific biomechanics in rink hockey performance analysis.

The Inclusion of Preplanned and Random and Unanticipated/Unexpected Events During Strength Training Improves the Ability to Repeat High-Intensity Efforts Under Uncertainty.

To compare the effects of unilateral flywheel training (FT), using a rotational conical pulley, including multidirectional movements with either preplanned or random unanticipated/unexpected executions on functional performance in football players. A total of 32 young male football players were randomly assigned to an FT program including preplanned unilateral multidirectional movements (PTG, n = 11), an FT executing the same unilateral movements through random (ie,right or left leg) unanticipated (ie,verbal or visual cue) or unexpected (ie,moment where the cue was provided) situations (UTG, n = 11), or a control group (n = 10) that followed their football training routine. FT consisted of 1 set × 5-12 repetitions of 4 exercises performed once a week for 10weeks. Intermittent endurance performance, repeated unilateral and bilateral jumping ability, change-of-direction (COD) ability, linear sprint velocity, preplanned repeated-sprint ability (RSA), and uncertainty RSA (RSA-RANDOM) were assessed preintervention and postintervention. Significant improvements were found in RSA-RANDOM performance (P < .05, effect size [ES] range: UTG [1.83-2.16], PTG [0.69-0.73]) and COD (P < .05, ES: UTG = 1.34, PTG = 0.98]) in both training groups. Furthermore, significant improvements were also found in intermittent endurance performance (P = .016, ES = 0.37) and sprinting (P = .006, ES = 0.45) in UTG. No changes in any variable were found in the control group. No significant between-groups differences (P > .05) were reported between UTG and PTG, while differences were observed to the control group in unilateral jumping ability, COD, and RSA-RANDOM for UTG, and in RSA-RANDOM for PTG. A 10-week unilateral FT improved RSA-RANDOM and COD ability in youth football players, so both preplanned and unexpected situations should be included on strength training.

Selection-Dependent Differences in Youth Elite Basketball Players’ Relative Age, Maturation-Related Characteristics, and Motor Performance

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of players’ relative age, maturation-related characteristics, and motor performance tests on two different stages of talent selection (regional and national level) in youth elite basketball. Methods: Relative age, maturation-related variables (height, weight, maturity offset, maturity timing) and motor performance (Countermovement jump, Standing long jump, Modified agility T-test, Linear sprint 20 m) of N = 68 male youth basketball players (M age = 14.39 ± 0.28 years) were assessed during the initial selection tournament for the German U15 national team. Pre-selection biases regarding relative age and maturity timing on the regional level were investigated utilizing one-sample t-tests. Differences in relative age, maturation-related characteristics and motor performance between players selected (n = 27) and non-selected (n = 41) for the youth national team were examined via independent samples’ t-tests and logistic regression analyses. Results: Strong pre-selection biases toward early-born and early-maturing players were confirmed on the regional level. Significant advantages in height and weight and higher values in maturity offset and maturity timing were found for selected players. Among the motor variables, only Countermovement jump performance was significantly better in selected players. When controlling for relative age and biological maturation regression models including motor performance variables did not significantly discriminate players’ selection status. Conclusion: Coaches working in national, but also preceding selection stages (regional and club level) should raise their awareness to relative age and biological maturation when evaluating players’ potential and current (motor) performance.

Maximum Strength and Power as Determinants of Match Skating Performance in Elite Youth Ice Hockey Players.

Keiner, M, Kierot, M, Stendahl, M, Brauner, T, and Suchomel, TJ. Maximum strength and power as determinants of match skating performance in elite youth ice hockey players. J Strength Cond Res 38(6): 1090-1094, 2024-Maximum strength has a strong influence on speed-strength performances such as sprints and jumps. Important for sports practice is whether these findings are also reflected in game performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the influence of maximum strength and power performance on linear on-ice skating performance in testing and during game play. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and 24 highly trained male youth ice hockey players participated. Jump performances (countermovement jump [CMJ], drop jumps), maximum strength (1 repetition maximum [1RM] squat and isometric trap bar pull [ITBP]), and on-ice linear sprints (15 m [LS15], 30 m [LS30], flying 15 m [FLY15]) were measured. Match performances (among others: peak skating speed) were collected of 4 regular league games using a local positioning system. Correlation coefficient and explained variance were calculated ( ρ ≤ 0.05). Correlations between maximum strength and jump with on-ice linear sprint performance showed 1-35% explained variance. Correlations between "off ice" test (CMJ, relative 1RM) and game data (peak skating speed) showed 22-30% explained variance, respectively, while ITBP and DJ missed significant level. Between linear sprint and game performance showed 15-59% explained variance. In this study, a clear influence of 1RM in squatting and CMJ performance on on-ice linear sprint as well as in-game peak skating speed was observed. These findings show that strength and jumping performance can be valuable tests within a comprehensive test battery and indicate the relevance of strength and jumping tasks within the regular exercise program to improve in-game skating performance.

An 8-week injury prevention exercise program combined with change-of-direction technique training limits movement patterns associated with anterior cruciate ligament injury risk

Knee ligament sprains are common during change-of-direction (COD) maneuvers in multidirectional team sports. This study aimed to compare the effects of an 8-week injury prevention exercise program containing COD-specific exercises and a similar program containing linear sprint exercises on injury- and performance-related variables during a 135° COD task. We hypothesized that the COD-specific training would lead to (H1) stronger reductions in biomechanical variables associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk during COD, i.e. knee abduction moment and angle, hip internal rotation angle and lateral trunk lean, and (H2) more effective improvements in COD performance according to the COD completion time, executed angle, ground contact time, and approach speed. Twenty-two sports science students (40% female) completed biomechanical assessments of COD movement strategies before and after participating in two supervised 25-min training sessions per week over 8 weeks. We observed significant ‘training x group’ interaction effects in support of H1: the COD-specific training but not the linear sprint training led to reduced peak knee abduction moments (interaction, p = 0.027), initial knee abduction (interaction, p < 0.001), and initial lateral trunk lean angles (interaction, p < 0.001) compared to baseline. Although the COD-specific training resulted in sharper executed angles (interaction, p < 0.001), the sprint-specific training group showed reduced COD completion (interaction, p = 0.037) and ground contact times (interaction, p < 0.001). In conclusion, a combination of generic and COD-specific injury prevention training resulted in COD technique adaptations that can help to avoid ACL injury-prone COD movements but may negatively affect COD speed.