The acute effect of maximal voluntary isometric contraction pull on start gate performance of snowboard and ski cross athletes. Issue 5 (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Haycraft, Jade AZ; Gastin, Paul B; Robertson, Sam
• Is Part Of: International journal of sports science & coaching. Volume 11:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 721
• Page End: 727
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Post-activation potentiation -- snow sport -- talent development -- warm-up -- youth sport; Coaching (Athletics) -- Periodicals; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Coaching (Athletics); Sports sciences; Periodicals; 796.077
• DOI: 10.1177/1747954116667110
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-9541

Abstract

This study investigated whether adding a maximal voluntary isometric contraction to developing snowboard and ski cross athletes' warm-up could reduce start time. A secondary aim was to assess the appropriateness of start performance as a talent identification tool for junior athletes by determining whether differences in time could be explained by participant age and anthropometry. Twenty sub-elite athletes (male: n = 11, female: n = 9, age: 15.0 ± 1.4 years) participated. No differences were found for start time (7.5 m) between maximal voluntary isometric contraction and standardised (no-maximal voluntary isometric contraction) warm-up or gender (maximal voluntary isometric contraction; males: 1.36 ± 0.07 s, females: 1.41 ± 0.03 s, no-maximal voluntary isometric contraction; males: 1.35 ± 0.01 s, females: 1.38 ± 0.10 s, P > 0.05). A strong relationship between body mass and start time to 7.5 m ( r = −0.78, r 2 = 0.61, P < 0.05) was observed. Use of maximal voluntary isometric contraction-based warm-ups with developing snowboard cross and ski cross athletes may not be beneficial to improving performance.