Forearm wearable resistance effects on sprint kinematics and kinetics. Issue 3 (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Macadam, Paul; Simperingham, Kim D.; Cronin, John B.
• Is Part Of: Journal of science and medicine in sport. Volume 22:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 348
• Page End: 352
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: BM body mass -- UL unloaded -- WR wearable resistance; Limb loading -- Movement specificity -- Velocity -- Kinematics -- Kinetics; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- physiology -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; Sportgeneeskunde; 617.102705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.08.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1440-2440

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Arm swing is a distinctive characteristic of sprint-running with the arms working in a contralateral manner with the legs to propel the body in a horizontal direction. The purpose of this study was to determine the acute changes in kinematics and kinetics when wearable resistance (WR) of 1 kg (equivalent to ∼1% body mass) was attached to each forearm during over ground short distance (20 m) maximal sprint-running. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty-two male amateur rugby athletes (19.4 ± 0.5 years; 97.0 ± 4.8 kg; 180.4 ± 7.2 cm) volunteered to participate in the study. Radar and Optojump were used to examine kinematic and kinetics between WR and unloaded sprint-running conditions. Results: No significant (p < 0.05) differences were found at 2 m or 5 m between conditions, however, the WR condition resulted in a significant increase in 10 m, 20 m and 10–20 m split time (all, ∼2%, small effect size) compared to the unloaded condition. Significant decreases were also found in theoretical maximum velocity (V0 ) (−1.4%, small effect size) and relative peak horizontal power production (Pmax ) (−5.5%, small effect size). Step length (2.1%, small effect size) and contact time (6.5%, medium effect size) were significantly increased, while step frequency (−4.1%, small effect size) and flight time (−5.3%, medium effect size) were significantly decreased. Conclusions: WR forearm loading provides a movement specific overload of the arms which significantly alters step kinematics and sprint times ≥10 m.