The Role of the Rhythm Step on Pro-Agility Test Performance in Division I Football Players.

Purpose: The pro-agility test is a common test in multiple sports. A common way to start is the crossover step (CS) where athletes start the drill by crossing one leg over the other. However, the rhythm step (RS), initiated by moving one foot medially before crossing the opposite foot over the first, may result in faster time. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the RS to the CS in the pro-agility test. Methods: Thirteen division I college football players (age 21 ± 1.5 years, mass 103.5 ± 18 kg, and stature 1.87 ± .078 m) were recruited to perform both step techniques. Video was analyzed to determine times during the first five yards (t1), the second ten yards (t2), the last five yards (t3), and the total time (ttotal). Additionally, maximum acceleration (amax), time to maximum acceleration (tamax), maximum body lean angle (θlean), and time to reach θlean (tθlean) were measured. Results: Descriptive statistics (mean ± SD) were calculated for all variables. A significant difference between the two techniques was observed at t1 (RS mean 1.56 ± 0.09 s, CS mean 1.62 ± 0.11 s), ttotal (RS mean 4.99 ± 0.35 s, CS mean 5.09 ± 0.35 s), and tamax (RS mean 0.38 ± 0.67, CS mean 0.46 ± 0.61). Conclusion: Overall, the RS appeared to be superior to the CS for reaching peak acceleration faster during the initial phase of the pro-agility drill as well as short distance sprints that are initiated from a standing position.

A comparison of three different start techniques on sprint speed in collegiate linebackers.

The purpose of this study was to compare the track block start (BS), rhythm step (false step) (RS), and forward step (FS) on sprint start ability in male Division I collegiate football linebackers. Although the blocks are not practical in the sport of football, they were used as a gold standard for sprint acceleration. Sixteen collegiate football linebackers (age, 20.9 ± 1.1 years; height, 72 ± 3.0 in; mass, 97 ± 4 kg) performed 3 repetitions each of the BS, FS, and RS. Each sprint was videotaped through 5 m. The time from 0 to 2.5 m (t2.5), 0 to 5 m (t5), and 2.5 to 5 m (tsplit) were calculated for each trial using all 3 different techniques, and the best times for each treatment was recorded. Block start resulted in significantly lower t2.5 and t5 compared with RS and FS. Rhythm step had significantly lower t2.5 and t5 compared with FS. There was no difference in tsplit between any of the 3 treatments. The results indicate that using the blocks is optimal for sprint performance through 2.5 and 5 m. Rhythm step outperformed FS through both 2.5 and 5 m, suggesting that for collegiate football linebackers, RS is superior to FS.

The effects of two stretching protocols on the reactive strength index in female soccer and rugby players.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 2 stretching protocols on stretch-shortening cycle performance in female Division I soccer players and female club rugby players. Fifteen soccer and rugby players (20.1 ± 5.9 years, 170.5 ± 14.2 cm, 70.4 ± 22.3 kg) participated in 3 test sessions with different treatments. The first treatment involved a warm-up of 10 minutes of exercise on a cycle ergometer (warm-up only [WO]), the second was this warm-up followed by static stretching (SS), and the third was this warm-up followed by dynamic stretching (DS). The treatments were administered randomly to negate an order effect. Each treatment was immediately followed by a reactive strength index (RSI) test requiring the athletes to drop off a box (45 cm in height) on to a force plate and upon landing immediately jump into the air while minimizing contact time (CT, milliseconds) and maximizing flight time (FT, milliseconds). The RSI was FT: CT. Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that a significant treatment effect existed for RSI (F = 7.95, 2; p = 0.002) and FT (F = 7.43, 2; p = 0.003) but no significant effect for CT (F = 1.53, 2; p = 0.235). The RSI and FT were significantly greater in DS compared with that in SS and WO. Dynamic stretching is the preferred warm-up before an athletic event involving considerable jumping.

Optimal loading during two different leg-press movements in female rowers.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal load for power during concentric only (CO) and stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) leg-press movements during the initial portion of the concentric phase as well as throughout the entire concentric phase in trained female rowers. METHODS: Thirty female rowers (age = 19.6 +/- 1.2 yr) were tested for strength (1RM), mean power (MP), peak power (PP), as well as power output at 50, 100, 150, and 200 ms (P50-P200) during both CO and SSC leg-press movements and across six different loads (30-80% 1RM) on the Omnikinetic dynamometer. RESULTS: Split-split plot analysis indicated that MP and PP were maximized at approximately 60% 1RM in both CO and SSC movements. There were no significant differences in P50 and P100 across all loads for both CO and SSC. P150 was greatest at 30, 40, 50, and 60% 1RM for CO and SSC movements. P200 was maximized at 30, 40, and 50% 1RM during CO. P200 was maximized at 50, 60, and 70% 1RM during SSC. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the optimal loads for MP (40, 50, and 60% 1RM) and PP (50, 60, and 70% 1RM) between CO and SSC movements. An enhancement of power during the initial 200 ms of the concentric phase of SSC movements was observed. Greater time to reach PP was the reason for the enhancement in PP output observed in CO movements. The CO training regimen associated with the sport of rowing also may have lessened the effect of the SSC.