This study investigated whether skilled batsmen in a state cricket pathway could anticipate ball types when congruency of field-placings was manipulated with a bowler's action. Twenty-four male cricket batsmen were recruited who had played either first-class cricket (n = 6), were part of under 17 (n = 8) or under 19 (n = 10) state cricket squads. Participants completed a videobased temporal occlusion test where they were required to anticipate ball types from a swing bowler. In condition one, contextual field-placing information was presented to be congruent with the delivery type and bowler's action, whilst in condition two it was incongruent. Results did not reveal skill level differences across conditions for anticipation. In the congruent condition, all skill groups predicted above the chance level at the beginning and end of the bowler's delivery stride. In the incongruent condition, first-class players predicted above chance at the beginning of the bowler's delivery stride, and to a higher magnitude above chance compared to other skill groups at ball release. Under 17 and 19 players could not predict above chance at the start of the bowler's delivery stride with their magnitude of prediction lower than first-class players at ball release. Results indicate skilled batsmen find it challenging to integrate contextual and kinematic information to anticipate. This is likely due to greater emphasis placed upon contextual information in part supplied by data analysts. Findings have theoretical and practical implications respectively for lower body positioning for bat-ball interception and perceptual training to improve pick-up of kinematic cues. HIGHLIGHTS. Skilled batsmen in a high-performance state cricket pathway could integrate congruent fieldplacings and bowler kinematics to anticipate ball types. . First-class batsmen could integrate incongruent field-placing information to the start, but not the end, of the bowler's delivery action to anticipate ball types. . Under 17 and 19 batsmen could not integrate incongruent field-placings to bowler kinematics to anticipate ball types. . Skilled batsmen who cannot use kinematic information to anticipate ball types should be given visual-perceptual simulation training to accelerate performance.
Jumps occur frequently in basketball and can be executed from a single-leg take-off following a run-up or bilaterally from a standing start. Understanding the type of jumps performed in competition and how different muscular qualities influence their performance, informs training prescription. Firstly, to quantify the occurrence of different jump types performed in competition an analysis of 15 semi-professional basketball games was undertaken. Secondly, to understand the influence of muscular qualities on performance of different jump types, Semi-professional male basketball players (N=17) performed jump tests; standing vertical jump, running vertical jumps with a double leg take-off (RVJ2) and a single leg take-off (RVJ1) and tests of lower-body speed-strength; reactive strength index (RSI) from a drop jump, counter movement jump (CMJ) and squat jump. A stationary approach was employed for 69%, a running approach for 26% and a one-step approach for 5%. RVJ1 displayed non-significant (P=0.07) moderate correlation with jump height attained from the CMJ (r=0.439) and a very large (r =.806) significant (P<0.01) correlation with RSI. Most jumps were executed from a stationary start with a bilateral take-off while a run-up occurred prior to a substantial proportion of jumps. Jumps with a single-leg take-off from a run-up strongly correlate with RSI.
Historically, research that has aimed to understand the determinants of road cycling performance has focused primarily on the physiological characteristics of successful performers. To date, little research has been conducted on the tactical strategies that underpin successful road cycling, especially from a qualitative perspective. This study reports the practices of seven high-performing Australian cyclists and coaches to inform how they prepare for competition, the tactical decisions they make during and reflective practices they use following a road cycling competition. Inductive qualitative one-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted using open-ended questions via an online meeting platform. A robust thematic analysis of the interviews was undertaken resulting in the establishment of themes aligned with pre-race, in-race and reflection upon tactical decision making. Prior to the race, themes related to the specificity of training, planning of a race strategy and use of training data emerged from the interviews. During the race, themes of the cyclist’s role within a team, in-race communication and race craft were established. Post-race, a theme related to the reflective practice implemented by each participant was evident. These results and discussion provide novel insights into the process of developing, implementing and reflecting upon tactical decision making used in high-level road cycling. This information is valuable for teams and governing bodies to inform and enhance coaching development and practice within the sport of road cycling.
O'Grady, MW, Young, WB, Behm, DG, and Talpey, SW. Effect of intention to squat explosively on acute countermovement jump performance. J Strength Cond Res 35(12): 3348–3354, 2021—The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of squatting with the intention of moving the bar as fast as possible during the ascent phase on potentiating countermovement jump (CMJ) performance. Fourteen recreationally resistance-trained men (age = 22.1 ± 1.7 years, height = 179.9 ± 4.2 cm, body mass = 83.8 ± 6.6 kg) with a predicted 1 repetition maximum half-squat of 201.0 ± 27.8 kg participated in this study. Subjects performed 3 CMJs before and then 4 and 8 minutes after a squat conditioning activity (CA). Conditions were randomized. For 1 condition, the CA involved subjects performing 4 repetitions of the half-squat with a 5RM load in a controlled manner (CON) at a self-selected normal squatting tempo. In the other condition, subjects used the same number of repetitions and load; however, they were instructed to move the bar up as fast as possible during the concentric phase of the half-squat (VMAX). Half-squat peak force (N), peak power (W), peak velocity (m·s−1), and rate of force development (RFD) were measured for each CA using a force platform and linear position transducer. At 4 and 8 minutes post-CA, CMJ height, relative peak power, peak velocity, and peak force were also measured. Despite there being significant increases in the half-squat peak power, peak velocity and maximum RFD in the VMAX condition, neither condition significantly improved any post-CMJ variable. Some small improvements in jump height were observed in certain individuals after the VMAX condition, suggesting that an explosive half-squat CA may potentiate CMJ performance in certain individuals.
The objective of this investigation was to compare isokinetic strength, countermovement jump and drop jump variables between high-contributors and low-contributors within NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s lacrosse athletes. Men’s (N=36) and Women’s (N=30) NCAA Division I Lacrosse athletes completed strength testing of the quadriceps and hamstring across three speeds (60°·s-1, 180°·s-1, 300°·s-1), countermovement and drop jumps. To determine the discriminative ability of select lower-limb strength and power characteristics participants were categorised as high-contributors (Males N=18, age=20.3±0.4yrs, height=183.9±5.5cm, mass=90.8±5.8kg; Females N=15, age=20.8±0.8yrs, height=169.3±6.7cm, mass= 64.1±7.2kg) or low-contributors (Males N=18, age = 19.5±0.2yrs, height = 184.1±5.6cm; mass = 87.9±8.1kg; Females N=15, age=19.7±0.2yrs, height=169.8±7.0cm, mass=62.9±7.7kg ) based upon the number of games the participants competed in during the regular season. Within the male cohort, moderate significant (p<0.05) differences were observed between high-contributors and low-contributors in isokinetic hamstring strength of the left leg at 300°·s-1 (d = 0.69) and peak power in countermovement jump (d=0.68). Within the women’s cohort a large (d=0.87) significant difference (p<0.05) in isokinetic strength of the left hamstring was observed between high-contributors and low-contributors at 60°·s-1. Hamstring strength and lower-limb power are important strength measures for lacrosse performance and should be prioritised in training prescription for lacrosse athletes.
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