Mechanical Determinants of Faster Change of Direction and Agility Performance in Female Basketball Athletes

Abstract

Change of direction (COD) and agility require the integration of multiple components to produce a faster performance. However, the mechanisms contributing to a faster performance without the confounding factor of athlete expertise or gender is currently unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess body composition, strength, and kinetic profile required for a faster COD and agility performance across multiple directional changes. Six faster and 6 slower (n = 12) elite female basketball athletes completed a maximal dynamic back squat; eccentric and concentric only back squat; isometric midthigh pull; whole-body scan to determine lean, fat, and total mass; 505 COD test; T-test; and a multidirectional agility test over in-ground force plates to obtain relevant kinetic measures. Group (faster and slower) by test (2 × 3) multivariate analyses of variance with follow-up analyses of variance were conducted to examine differences between faster and slower groups and each COD and agility test (p ≤ 0.05). Faster athletes during the 505 COD test produced significantly greater vertical force (p = 0.002) and eccentric and isometric strength capacity (p = 0.001). Faster agility and T-test athletes demonstrated significantly shorter contact times (p = 0.001), greater propulsive impulse (p = 0.02), isometric strength, and relative lean mass compared with slower athletes. Differences between faster athletes across each test seem to be attributed to the mechanical demands of the directional change, increasing force and impulse application as the degree of directional change increased. These findings indicate that different mechanical properties are required to produce a faster COD and agility performances, and the importance of a greater strength capacity to enable greater mechanical adjustment through force production and body control, during different directional changes.

Neuromuscular Screening to predict young fencers’ performance

“…On the other hand, negra et al (18) found significant correlation between lJ and two different agility tests in a large group of participants. The results of the present study showed that CODv of the young fencers correlated with almost all leg power parameters (explosive strength, horizontal jumps, speed and reaction jump test) while sJ was the best CODv performance predictor confirming the findings by others (11,18,22).…”

“…More specifically, CODv tests seem to be associated with muscle strength of the participants, movement mechanics, exit velocity and increased elastic energy utilization during the eccentric phase of braking (11,22). On the other hand, negra et al (18) found significant correlation between lJ and two different agility tests in a large group of participants.…”

Physical Profiles of Regional Academy Netball Players

“…Also, no technique or strength measures were assessed within the current study, however previous research in female basketball athletes show faster athletes apply increased braking forces and shorter ground contact times during 505 performances. [36][37][38] Additionally, the same authors found faster athletes to observe greater eccentric and isometric strength values as compared to slower athletes. Therefore, differences in 505 performances between age categories may be attributed to superior movement mechanics and strength capacity.…”

Relationship between Isometric Strength, Sprint, and Change of Direction Speed in Male Academy Cricketers

“…Furthermore, training-induced increases in measures of maximum strength have been shown to transfer positively to sprint performance. 16 Studies have used various methods to assess strength measures, including isometric, 18,19,21 isokinetic, 10,27 and free weight squats, 12,19 when investigating the relationship between strength and change of direction speed (CODS). Thomas et al 21 found strong, significant inverse correlations (r = − 0.57; p < 0.05) between isometric midthigh pull peak force (IMTP PF) and modified 505 (505mod) CODS in collegiate athletes.…”

“…Research by Jones et al 10 also points towards eccentric strength as an important factor of 505 CODS, possibly contributing to shorter braking times and increased propulsive force application during CODS activities. 17,18 Overall, there seems to be some evidence to indicate that efficient CODS requires multiple strength types (eccentric, isometric, and concentric) to position the body appropriately to rapidly decelerate and re-accelerate in a new direc-tion. 18 As previously stated, bilateral stance IMTP PF is strongly related to sprint and CODS; however, no study is yet to establish whether these findings hold true for unilateral stance IMTP PF.…”