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Lower Body Stiffness Modulation Strategies In Well Trained Female Athletes
Millett, Emma L. Moresi, Mark Peter Watsford, Mark L. Taylor, Paul G. Greene, David Anthony
Millett, Emma L.
Moresi, Mark Peter
Watsford, Mark L.
Taylor, Paul G.
Greene, David Anthony
Abstract
Abstract: Millett, EL, Moresi, MP, Watsford, ML, Taylor, PG, and Greene, DA. Lower body stiffness modulation strategies in well trained female athletes. J Strength Cond Res 30(10): 2845–2856, 2016—Lower extremity stiffness quantifies the relationship between the amount of leg compression and the external load to which the limb are subjected. This study aimed to assess differences in leg and joint stiffness and the subsequent kinematic and kinetic control mechanisms between athletes from various training backgrounds. Forty-seven female participants (20 nationally identified netballers, 13 high level endurance athletes and 14 age and gender matched controls) completed a maximal unilateral countermovement jump, drop jump and horizontal jump to assess stiffness. Leg stiffness, joint stiffness and associated mechanical parameters were assessed with a 10 camera motion analysis system and force plate. No significant differences were evident for leg stiffness measures between athletic groups for any of the tasks (p = 0.321–0.849). However, differences in joint stiffness and its contribution to leg stiffness, jump performance outcome measures and stiffness control mechanisms were evident between all groups. Practitioners should consider the appropriateness of the task utilised in leg stiffness screening. Inclusion of mechanistic and/or more sports specific tasks may be more appropriate for athletic groups.
Keywords
leg stiffness, joint stiffness, athletic training, spring mass
Date
2016
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Book
Volume
30
Issue
10
Page Range
2845-2856
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled