Objectives: The aim of this investigation was to determine the relationships between isometric strength, sprint, and change of direction speed (CODS) performance in academy cricketers. Design and Methods: Eighteen male academy cricketers (mean ± SD; age = 17.1 ± 0.7 years; height = 175.8 ± 6.1 cm; mass = 71.7 ± 11.3 kg) performed tests of bilateral and unilateral stance isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), sprint, and change of direction speed (CODS) across two separate testing sessions. Isometric mid-thigh pull testing involved trials with relative peak force (PF [N∙kgˉ¹]) determined for bilateral stance (IMTP PF), left leg (IMTP L PF), and right leg (IMTP R PF). Sprint and CODS performances was measured using 5-, 10-, and 20-m sprint performance, and traditional 505 (505) and modified 505 (505mod) tests. Relationships between variables (IMTP, sprint and CODS performances) were analysed using Pearson’s product – moment correlation. Results: Results suggest that IMTP R PF displayed the strongest relationships with sprint performance (r = − 0.49 to − 0.52). Times to complete 505 CODS were significantly correlated with bilateral and unilateral stance IMTP PF (r = − 0.47 to − 0.65), whereas modified 505mod CODS performance demonstrated no correlation to either bilateral or unilateral stance IMTP PF (r = − 0.31 to − 0.44). Conclusions: There are no significant relationships between bilateral and unilateral stance IMTP PF and 505mod CODS. Furthermore, there are no significant relationships between bilateral stance IMTP PF and sprint performance. However, this study identified bilateral and unilateral stance IMTP PF to relate to 505 CODS.

Objectives: To investigate the validity and relative and absolute reliability of the Running Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) in ama teur soccer players. Design: Cross-sectional experimental design with an element of repeated measures. Methods: Twenty three males completed the RAST on two occasions and a Wingate test (WAnT) as criterion measure of anaero bic power. Results: Criterion validity for the RAST was strong for peak power (r = 0.70, p < 0.001) and average power (r = 0.60, p = 0.002); however, the RAST significantly underestimated peak power compared to WAnT. The RAST showed very good relative reli ability for average power, ICC = 0.88 and good relative reliability for peak power, ICC = 0.72. Assessment of absolute reliability highlighted that although when averaged across a group, test and re-test scores will be similar, when monitoring individuals an individual’s retest score may range between 0.81 and 1.2 times the original value for peak power and between 0.9 and 1.16 for average power. Conclusion: The RAST is a practicable field test to estimate levels of average anaerobic power. However, the results show that the RAST is not sensitive enough to detect strongly individual changes below 20 % and is therefore not recommended to con tinually monitor an individual’s anaerobic power. Also, if true measures of peak power are required the RAST test is limited.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the height, body mass and physical characteristics of English regional acad emy netball players by age category (under 15s, under 17s and under 19s). Design and Methods: Data were collected on 50 regional academy players during the preseason period and comprised of height, body mass, and physical (single and triple hop, 5- and 10-m sprint, 505 change of direction speed, vertical jump, and cardiorespiratory fitness) characteristics. Results: One-way analysis of variance revealed the under 19s group demonstrated superior (p < 0.05) performances compared to the under 15s group in single hop left (U15: 1.61 ± 0.18 m; U19: 1.88 ± 0.09 m; p = 0.001), single hop right (U15: 1.66 ± 0.17 m; U19: 1.87 ± 0.13 m; p = 0.001), triple hop left (U15: 5.10 ± 0.58 m; U19: 5.90 ± 0.39 m; p = 0.001), triple hop right (U15: 5.10 ± 0.50 m; U19: 5.86 ± 0.41 m; p = 0.001), 5-m sprint (U15: 1.15 ± 0.05 seconds; U19: 1.10 ± 0.07 seconds; p = 0.032), 505 left (U15: 2.59 ± 0.08 seconds; U19: 2.45 ± 0.08 seconds; p = 0.001), 505 right (U15: 2.54 ± 0.13 seconds; U19: 2.43 ± 0.06 seconds; p = 0.007), squat jump (U15: 0.34 ± 0.04 m; U19: 0.41 ± 0.05 m; p = 0.001), countermovement jump (U15: 0.35 ± 0.04 m; U19: 0.42 ± 0.05 m; p = 0.001), and cardiorespiratory fitness  (U15: 16.40 ± 0.83 km∙hˉ¹; U19: 18.14 ± 1.10 km∙hˉ¹; p = 0.001). Moreover, the under 17s group reported significantly better (p < 0.05) performances in single leg hop left (U15: 1.61 ± 0.18 m; U17: 1.74 ± 0.12 m; p = 0.033), single hop right, triple hop left (U15: 5.10 ± 0.58 m; U17: 5.59 ± 0.35 m; p = 0.008), triple hop right (U15: 5.10 ± 0.50 m; U17: 5.50 ± 0.36 m; p = 0.031), countermovement jump (U15: 0.35 ± 0.04 m; U17: 0.39 ± 0.03 m; p = 0.018), and cardiorespiratory fitness (U15: 16.40 ± 0.83 km∙hˉ¹; U17: 17.56 ± 1.30 km∙hˉ¹; p = 0.014) than the under 15s group. Conclusions: These findings highlight that height, body mass, and physical characteristics develop across age categories and pro vide normative data for English regional academy netball players.

Objective: Both anaerobic and aerobic factors contribute to distance running performance. How these factors relate to middle and long distance running performance in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) runners has not been previously determined. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between anaerobic and aerobic assessments and two season best race times (800 m and 8 km) in NAIA runners participating in track and cross-country at a small Midwestern American college. Design: This study employed a cross-sectional design. Data was collected from a lab visit as well as from season best running times. Methods: 11 subjects (f = 4) completed a graded exercise test for VO2max and ventilatory threshold assessment, a 40 m sprint, a standing long jump, and a vertical jump. Correlations were performed between 800 m and 8 km season bests and the afore mentioned tests. Results: 800 m run time correlated only with VO2max (r = -.600; p = .044). 8 km run time correlated most strongly with vertical jump height (r = -.823; p = .011) but also with 40 m sprint (r = .704; p = .039) and VO2max (r = -.670; p = .047). Conclusions: Anaerobic and aerobic contributions to season best race times in NAIA runners were slightly different than expected based on previous work in different populations. This information may be useful for NAIA track and cross-country coaches interested in determining tests that best relate to running performance in their athletes.

Objectives: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the intra- and intersession reliability of a new inertial measurement unit (ZEPP Sensor (ZS)) for bat swing mechanical analysis. Design and Methods: This investigation included 16 male collegiate baseball players (89.53 ± 12.5 kg, 180.61 ± 6.5 cm, 20.12 ± 0.8 years). Following a whole body dynamic warm-up and 5 dry swings, 5 swings were recorded where athletes hit balls off of a tee with bats instrumented with a ZS. Data collection took place on 3 days. Intrasession reliability analyzed trial to trial data, while intersession reliability analyzed data from each of the 3 sessions. Both relative and absolute measures of reliability were calculated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), coefficients of variation (CV), and limits of agreement (LOA). Results: Within and between session acceleration/time related variables produced excellent relative reliability measurements (ICCs 0.882-0.988) as well as acceptable absolute measures of reliability (CVs 1.9%-9.2%). Variables derived from the gyro scope did not display the same consistency (intrasession vertical angle ICC = 0.492, intersession attack angle CV = 108.6%). Conclusions: Considering acceleration/time data, the ZS appears to be a reliable method of monitoring bat swing mechanics, but not for the angular position variables. Changes in body position have been demonstrated with fatigue in jumping performance. Similarly, bat position changes may occur with fatigue and should be monitored, but coaches and sport scientists should use caution when selecting variables to monitor and only select those that are reliable.

Objectives: Current protocols for resistance training in space flight are hindered by size, mass, noise, vibration and cost, and potentially still lack efficacy. The purpose of the present study was to examine the muscle activation and force output for con tralateral limb resisted training compared to traditional resistance training with a view towards the practicality of use in microgravity environments. Design: Following ethical approval, employing a within-subject design 12 healthy, resistance-trained males performed a 1-repetition maximum bench press (BP) and three isometric tests at differing elbow joint angles (ISO45˚, ISO90˚, ISO135˚) using a Micro-Gym device. Methods: Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to assess peak amplitude of the pectoralis major (PM), anterior deltoid (AD) and triceps brachii (TB) muscles. Peak force output for each condition was also measured. Results: Significant effects by condition were found with planned comparisons revealing statistically significant differences for peak sEMG amplitude for TB in addition to peak force between BP and ISO45, ISO90, and ISO135 (p < 0.05). Analyses revealed similar peak sEMG amplitude for PM and AD for BP and isometric conditions (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The present study suggests that a contralateral limb resisted training method could be an efficacious method of recruiting motor units and thus may catalyse muscle fibre adaptations in strength and hypertrophy. This novel method might have considerable application to coaches or trainers not wishing to transport large and heavy equipment or in microgravity environments.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess whether relatively simple interventions including self monitoring of heart rate and the use of targeted sprints for those with the lowest relative HR values (%HRmax) could be used to increase exercise inten sity during small sided games (SSGs) in soccer. A secondary aim of the study was to assess the effect of these interventions on overall gameplay. Design and Methods: Fourteen male semi-professional players performed SSGs (6 vs. 6) under four conditions including a control, a self-monitoring approach where players monitored their own HR via a wristwatch, and two sprint conditions where players with HR values below 90%HRmax performed sprints either during the game or during the recovery period between games. A linear mixed effects model was used to test for main effects whilst accounting for covariances between observations made on the same player. Results: The results identified relatively small but significant differences in average %HRmax (p < 0.001) and RPE values (p < 0.001) between the three modified conditions and the control. No significant differences were found between any of the modified conditions for measures of exercise intensity. On average, the modified conditions resulted in a 3.7% increase in %HRmax values and a 9.3% increase in RPE. Conclusion: The results from this study demonstrate that exercise intensity of SSGs in soccer can be increased by relatively simple and practical manipulations, the most basic of which requires only the use of inexpensive HR monitors.