Clin Physiol Funct Imaging (2015) 35, pp314–322
doi: 10.1111/cpf.12167
The influence of athletic status on maximal and rapid isometric torque characteristics and postural balance performance in Division I female soccer athletes and non-athlete controls Ty B. Palmer1, Matt J. Hawkey1, Ryan M. Thiele1, Eric C. Conchola1, Bailey M. Adams1, Kazuma Akehi2, Doug B. Smith1 and Brennan J. Thompson3 1
Applied Musculoskeletal and Human Physiology Research Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Performance, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK,, 2Department of Kinesiology and Sports Science, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Kearney, NE, and 3Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
Summary Correspondence Brennan J. Thompson Department of Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences Texas Tech University 3204 Main Street, Box 43011 Room 104 Lubbock, TX 79409-3011, USA E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted for publication Received 21 January 2014; accepted 28 April 2014
Key words hamstrings; hip extension; peak torque; rate of torque development; static stability; strength testing
The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of maximal and rapid isometric torque characteristics of the hip extensor muscles and postural balance performance to discriminate between female collegiate soccer athletes and non-athlete controls. Ten athletes (mean SE: age = 1920 036 year; mass = 6223 312 kg; height = 16243 170 cm) and 10 non-athletes (age = 2030 040 year; mass = 6964 320 kg; height = 16322 210 cm) performed two isometric maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) of the hip extensor muscles. Peak torque (PT) and absolute and relative rate of torque development (RTD) at early (0–50 ms) and late (100–200 ms) phases of muscle contraction were examined during each MVC. Postural balance was assessed using a commercially designed balance testing device, which provides a measurement of static stability based on sway index (SI). Results indicated that absolute and relative RTD at 0–50 ms (RTD50 and RTD50norm) were greater (P = 0007 and 0026), and postural SI was lower (P = 0022) in the athletes compared with the non-athletes. However, no differences (P = 0375–0709) were observed for PT nor absolute and relative RTD at 100–200 ms (RTD100–200 and RTD100– 200norm). Significant relationships were also observed between RTD50 and RTD50norm and SI (r = 0559 and 0521; P = 0010 and 0019). These findings suggest that early rapid torque characteristics of the hip extensor muscles and postural balance performance may be sensitive and effective measures for discriminating between college-aged athletes and non-athletes. Coaches and practitioners may use these findings as performance evaluation tools to help in identifying athletes with both superior early rapid torque and balance performance abilities, which may possibly be an indicator of overall athletic potential.
Introduction The identification of athletic-related performance characteristics that are exhibited in individuals of higher versus lower athletic ability is critical for improved understanding of the most relevant, sensitive and discriminatory physiological features associated with successful sport performance. Distinguishing key characteristics of athletic-related performances not only improves our understanding of the involved mechanisms linked to such athletic performances, but also provides important information that may be used by coaches and prac314
titioners who have a need to identify prospective talent. Given the importance of identifying athletic abilities/potential in virtually all types and levels of athletic programmes, numerous research studies have investigated the ability to identify and discriminate athletic-related talent using traditional laboratoryand/or field-based performance measurements such as vertical jump performance (Sawyer et al., 2002), VO2max (Wisloff et al., 1998), peak power output (Baker & Newton, 2008; Palmer et al., 2013c), flexibility (Kirby et al., 1981), body composition (Can et al., 2004) and repeated sprint ability (Edge et al., 2006).
© 2014 Scandinavian Society of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd 35, 4, 314–322
Isometric testing and athletic status, T. B. Palmer et al. 315
Strength-based performance measurements, such as maximal and rapid isometric torque production as measured during a maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), may also be potentially useful for distinguishing between athletes versus non-athletes. For example, Rousanoglou et al. (2006) reported that maximal torque production (i.e. peak torque; PT) of the leg extensor muscles was significantly greater in female track and field jumpers and pole vaulters compared with non-athlete controls, demonstrating that maximal strength capacities may be an important characteristic of successful performance in these types of powerrelated sporting events. However, because maximal strength requires >300 ms to be achieved (Thorstensson et al., 1976), it has been suggested that maximal torque may be a less sensitive measure for identifying athletic talent in sports/activities that include movement durations shorter than ~100–200 ms (i.e. soccer, sprinting, accelerating; Andersen et al., 2010; Thompson et al., 2013b). Accordingly, previous authors have revealed that using rapid torque characteristics, such as the rate of torque development (RTD), to assess one’s explosive strength capacities may provide a more sensitive athletic discriminating measure in sports that include high-intensity sprints and quick changes of direction (Andersen & Aagaard, 2006; Andersen et al., 2010; Thompson et al., 2013b). For example, Thompson et al. (2013b) recently demonstrated that rapid torque characteristics within the early (
doi: 10.1111/cpf.12167
The influence of athletic status on maximal and rapid isometric torque characteristics and postural balance performance in Division I female soccer athletes and non-athlete controls Ty B. Palmer1, Matt J. Hawkey1, Ryan M. Thiele1, Eric C. Conchola1, Bailey M. Adams1, Kazuma Akehi2, Doug B. Smith1 and Brennan J. Thompson3 1
Applied Musculoskeletal and Human Physiology Research Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Performance, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK,, 2Department of Kinesiology and Sports Science, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Kearney, NE, and 3Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
Summary Correspondence Brennan J. Thompson Department of Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences Texas Tech University 3204 Main Street, Box 43011 Room 104 Lubbock, TX 79409-3011, USA E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted for publication Received 21 January 2014; accepted 28 April 2014
Key words hamstrings; hip extension; peak torque; rate of torque development; static stability; strength testing
The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of maximal and rapid isometric torque characteristics of the hip extensor muscles and postural balance performance to discriminate between female collegiate soccer athletes and non-athlete controls. Ten athletes (mean SE: age = 1920 036 year; mass = 6223 312 kg; height = 16243 170 cm) and 10 non-athletes (age = 2030 040 year; mass = 6964 320 kg; height = 16322 210 cm) performed two isometric maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) of the hip extensor muscles. Peak torque (PT) and absolute and relative rate of torque development (RTD) at early (0–50 ms) and late (100–200 ms) phases of muscle contraction were examined during each MVC. Postural balance was assessed using a commercially designed balance testing device, which provides a measurement of static stability based on sway index (SI). Results indicated that absolute and relative RTD at 0–50 ms (RTD50 and RTD50norm) were greater (P = 0007 and 0026), and postural SI was lower (P = 0022) in the athletes compared with the non-athletes. However, no differences (P = 0375–0709) were observed for PT nor absolute and relative RTD at 100–200 ms (RTD100–200 and RTD100– 200norm). Significant relationships were also observed between RTD50 and RTD50norm and SI (r = 0559 and 0521; P = 0010 and 0019). These findings suggest that early rapid torque characteristics of the hip extensor muscles and postural balance performance may be sensitive and effective measures for discriminating between college-aged athletes and non-athletes. Coaches and practitioners may use these findings as performance evaluation tools to help in identifying athletes with both superior early rapid torque and balance performance abilities, which may possibly be an indicator of overall athletic potential.
Introduction The identification of athletic-related performance characteristics that are exhibited in individuals of higher versus lower athletic ability is critical for improved understanding of the most relevant, sensitive and discriminatory physiological features associated with successful sport performance. Distinguishing key characteristics of athletic-related performances not only improves our understanding of the involved mechanisms linked to such athletic performances, but also provides important information that may be used by coaches and prac314
titioners who have a need to identify prospective talent. Given the importance of identifying athletic abilities/potential in virtually all types and levels of athletic programmes, numerous research studies have investigated the ability to identify and discriminate athletic-related talent using traditional laboratoryand/or field-based performance measurements such as vertical jump performance (Sawyer et al., 2002), VO2max (Wisloff et al., 1998), peak power output (Baker & Newton, 2008; Palmer et al., 2013c), flexibility (Kirby et al., 1981), body composition (Can et al., 2004) and repeated sprint ability (Edge et al., 2006).
© 2014 Scandinavian Society of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd 35, 4, 314–322
Isometric testing and athletic status, T. B. Palmer et al. 315
Strength-based performance measurements, such as maximal and rapid isometric torque production as measured during a maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), may also be potentially useful for distinguishing between athletes versus non-athletes. For example, Rousanoglou et al. (2006) reported that maximal torque production (i.e. peak torque; PT) of the leg extensor muscles was significantly greater in female track and field jumpers and pole vaulters compared with non-athlete controls, demonstrating that maximal strength capacities may be an important characteristic of successful performance in these types of powerrelated sporting events. However, because maximal strength requires >300 ms to be achieved (Thorstensson et al., 1976), it has been suggested that maximal torque may be a less sensitive measure for identifying athletic talent in sports/activities that include movement durations shorter than ~100–200 ms (i.e. soccer, sprinting, accelerating; Andersen et al., 2010; Thompson et al., 2013b). Accordingly, previous authors have revealed that using rapid torque characteristics, such as the rate of torque development (RTD), to assess one’s explosive strength capacities may provide a more sensitive athletic discriminating measure in sports that include high-intensity sprints and quick changes of direction (Andersen & Aagaard, 2006; Andersen et al., 2010; Thompson et al., 2013b). For example, Thompson et al. (2013b) recently demonstrated that rapid torque characteristics within the early (
