RÉSUMÉ
Background: Research on the body structure of roller skaters has identified that anthropometric attributes are desirable in this sport for a better performance. Leg length has a definite decisive advantage in sport. Explosive leg power is very essential for roller skating as it requires speed, agility and quickness which can be associated with lower limb muscle girth. Hence, it is important to examine the contribution of limb length, calf and thigh muscle circumference, to agility performance. Methods: 30 healthy amateur roller skaters within age group of 6 to 14 years were assessed for anthropometric measurements – lower limb length, thigh circumference, calf circumference measurement. Participants performed a standardized warm-up of moderate-intensity jogging (5-10 min), static and dynamic stretching (5 min) and brief bouts of high-intensity running, including changes in direction on the ground. They performed agility tests in order of Edgren side step test, t-test and Illinois agility test based on test direction, progressing from uniplanar movements to biplanar and concluding with multidirectional movements. Each test was performed twice with 1-minute rest period between each trial, and a 2 min rest period between each test. Results: Pearson’s correlation showed that lower limb length have a moderately positive correlation with agility (r=0.5-0.7) whereas calf and thigh muscle circumference have a strong positive correlation with agility (r=0.7-0.8) stating that anthropometric measurements have a statistically significant correlation with agility performance with p<0.05. Conclusions: Anthropometric measurements such as lower limb length, thigh and calf circumferences have a moderate to strong positive correlation with agility performances of healthy amateur roller skaters within the age group of 6-14 years..
RÉSUMÉ
OBJECTIVE: Plyometric training is widely used in conditioning, power training and in prevention and rehabilitation of injuries in some sports. This study sought to investigate the effect of a three-week plyometric training programme on jump performance and agility in Jamaican national netball players. METHOD: Eighteen national netballers participated in a Plyometric training programme. Subjects were evaluated using the Vertical Jump Test, the Broad Jump Test and the Illinois Agility Test prior to the start of the programme and at week 3. DATA ANALYSIS: The data were analysed using SPSS version 12 for Windows. A One-Sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test showed normal distribution of data and a paired samples t-test was used to determine whether the mean change in jump performance and agility was significant. RESULTS: All eighteen subjects completed the three weeks of training. Three subjects were shown to be outliers at week 3 and this resulted in data from 15 subjects being analysed. At the end of the three weeks, there were significant improvements in Vertical Jump Scores (p = 0.023), Broad Jump Scores (p = 0.002) and Agility scores (p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Three weeks of Plyometric training can lead to significant improvements in jump performance and agility and should be integrated into the national training programme at intervals yet to be determined.
OBJETIVO: El entrenamiento pliométrico se usa ampliamente para el acondicionamiento, y entrenamiento de fuerza, así como para la prevención y rehabilitación de lesiones en algunos deportes. Este estudio buscó investigar el efecto de un programa de entrenamiento pliométrico de tres semanas sobre el rendimiento en salto alto y la agilidad de las jugadoras del Equipo Nacional de Netball de Jamaica. MÉTODO: Dieciocho jugadoras nacionales de netball participaron en un programa de entrenamiento pliométrico. Las sujetos fueron evaluadas usando la prueba de salto vertical, la prueba de salto largo y la prueba de agilidad de Illinois, antes del comienzo del programa y a la semana 3. ANÁLISIS DE DATOS: Los datos fueron analizados usando la versión 12 de SPSS para Windows. La Prueba de Kolmogorov-Smirnov para una muestra mostró una distribución normal de los datos y una prueba t de muestras pareadas fue usada para determinar si el cambio promedio en el rendimiento del salto y la agilidad fue significativo. RESULTADOS: Las dieciocho sujetos completaron las tres semanas de entrenamiento. Tres sujetos mostraron tener valores atípicos en la semana 3, y esto trajo por resultado que se analizaran datos de 15 sujetos. Al final de las tres semanas, se produjeron mejoras significativas en las puntuaciones del salto vertical (p = 0.023), las puntuaciones del salto largo (p = 0.002) y las puntuaciones de la agilidad (p = 0.045). CONCLUSIÓN: Tres semanas de entrenamiento pliométrico pueden llevar a mejoras significativas en el rendimiento y agilidad, y deben integrarse en el programa de entrenamiento nacional a intervalos aún por determinar.