Throwing velocity and jump height in female water polo players: performance predictors.

Throwing velocity and vertical jumping ability are essential components for shooting and passing in water polo. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between throwing velocity and water jump height in highly skilled female water polo players. Throwing velocity and head height at ball release were measured in twenty-two female players (age 20.41 years (6.16); weight 68.28 kg (8.87)) with two 50 frames per second cameras while shooting at goal. Water jump height was also measured with a modified Yardstick device. Multiple regression analyses showed that peak lower limb power was the most significant predictor of maximal velocity. Power alone accounted for 62% of the variance in maximum velocity (p<0.001). Once power was entered into the model none of the other physical characteristics (lean mass, fat mass, land jump height and anthropometry) made a significant contribution to throwing velocity. After controlling for the effect of power, head height at ball release accounted for an additional significant proportion of the variance in maximal velocity (R(2) change 7%; p=0.049). Lower body power was a significant predictor of higher throwing velocity in highly skilled female water polo players. Players with relatively higher underlying levels of lower limb power who are able to generate greater elevation out of the water are able to throw the ball faster.

The influence of rigid taping on peroneal latency in normal ankles.

Traumatic ankle injury is a frequent clinical presentation. Ankle taping is commonly used in the prophylaxis of sprains and as an adjunct during rehabilitation of ankle injury. The mechanisms behind taping remain unclear however, one possible mechanism is improved proprioception and peroneal reflex responses. This study investigated the peroneal reflex response to rapid inversion (using a trapdoor) with different taping protocols. The dominant leg of 31 healthy subjects was tested in three conditions: no taping; simple prophylactic taping;and circumferential leg taping. A repeated measures ANOVA revealed no statistically significant effect across conditions or trials. The results suggest that neurophysiological responses to sudden inversion are not altered by mechanical or sensory input from taping in normal subjects.