The Influence of Optimal Handheld Load on the Technical Ability to Apply Ground Reaction Forces during Horizontal Jumping in Female Netball Players

Abstract

Handheld load has been reported to enhance horizontal jump performance, however little is known about its influence on ground reaction forces (GRF), especially in female athletes. This study investigated the effects of individualized optimal handheld loading on the technical and physical ability to apply GRF during horizontal jumping in female netball players. Maximal effort, single standing, horizontal jumps were performed by 13 female netballers. Participants performed the jumps under 2 conditions: 1) unloaded, and 2) loaded. Eccentric mean horizontal GRF significantly increased with loading (p<0.05; Effect Size [ES]= 0.74). The ratio of horizontal-to-total GRF significantly increased (p<0.05; ES=0.57), however resultant GRF did not, suggesting that the technical ability to apply force in the direction of intended movement may be of greater importance than the magnitude of force applied. Jump distance also increased from 188.2±16.1 cm to 196.4±13.6 cm (p<0.01; ES=0.55) with handheld load. In conclusion, individualized optimal handheld loading improved single horizontal jump performance in this population of athletes; most likely through various mechanisms that allowed for increased eccentric horizontal GRFs and the technical ability of force application. Findings could have practical implications for the strength and conditioning coach, trainer and athlete.

Key words

horizontal force - ratio of force - netball - halters - force application

• References

• 1 Ashby BM. Optimal control simulations demonstrate how using halteres (hand-held weights) can increase standing long jump performance. Paper: XX^th Congress of the ISB and 29^th Meeting of the ASB; July 31-August 5 2005 Cleveland, OH
• 2 Ashby BM, Delp SL. Optimal control simulations reveal mechanisms by which arm movement improves standing long jump performance. J Biomech 2006; 39: 1726-1734
• 3 Ashby BM, Heegaard JH. Role of arm motion in the standing long jump. J Biomech 2002; 35: 1631-1637
• 4 Butcher M, Bertram JA. Jump distance increases while carrying handheld weights: Impulse, history, and jump performance in a simple lab exercise. J Sci Educ Technol 2004; 13: 285-297
• 5 Cheng KB, Wang CH, Chen HC, Wu CD, Chiu HT. The mechanisms that enable arm motion to enhance vertical jump performance – A simulation study. J Biomech 2008; 41: 1847-1854
• 6 Cronin JB, Brughelli M, Gamble P, Brown SR, McKenzie C. Acute kinematic and kinetic augmentation in horizontal jump performance using haltere type hand-held loading. J Strength Cond Res 2014; 28: 1559-1564
• 7 Domire ZJ, Challis JH. An induced energy analysis to determine the mechanism for performance enhancement as a result of arm swing during jumping. Sports Biomech 2010; 9: 38-46
• 8 Drinkwater EJ, Hopkins WG, McKenna MJ, Hunt PH, Pyne DB. Modelling age and secular differences in fitness between basketball players. J Sports Sci 2007; 25: 869-878
• 9 Epperson JF. An introduction to numerical methods and analysis. New York: Wiley; 2002
• 10 Eston R, Eston RG, Reilly T. (eds.) Kinanthropometry and Exercise Physiology Laboratory Manual. Tests, Procedures and Data. 3 ed. New York: Routledge; 2009
• 11 Feltner ME, Bishop EJ, Perez CM. Segmental and kinetic contributions in vertical jumps performed with and without an arm swing. R Q Exerc Sport 2004; 75: 216-230
• 12 Feltner ME, Fraschetti DJ, Crisp RJ. Upper extremity augmentation of lower extremity kinetics during countermovement vertical jumps. J Sports Sci 1999; 17: 449-466
• 13 Filush A. Effect of using hand-weights on performance in the standing long jump. Allendale Michigan Grand Valley State University 2012
• 14 Hara M, Shibayama A, Arakawa H, Fukashiro S. Effect of arm swing direction on forward and backward jump performance. J Biomech 2008; 41: 2806-2815
• 15 Hara M, Shibayama A, Takeshita D, Fukashiro S. The effect of arm swing on lower extremities in vertical jumping. J Biomech 2006; 39: 2503-2511
• 16 Hara M, Shibayama A, Takeshita D, Hay DC, Fukashiro S. A comparison of the mechanical effect of arm swing and countermovement on the lower extremities in vertical jumping. Hum Movement Sci 2008; 27: 636-648
• 17 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Ethical standards in sport and exercise science research: 2014 update. Int J Sports Med 2013; 34: 1025-1028
• 18 Hopkins WG. Spreadsheets for analysis of controlled trials, with adjustment for a subject characteristic. Sportsci 2006; 10: 46-50
• 19 Huang C, Chen HY, Peng H. The effect of handheld weights on standing long jump performance. Paper: ISBS; August 22–27 2005 Beijing, China
• 20 Huang C, Chen HY, Peng H. Optimal extra weight on hands increase standing jump performance. Paper: XX^th Congress of the ISB and 29^th Meeting of the ASB; July 31-August 5 2005 Cleveland, OH
• 21 Kawamori N, Newton R, Nosaka K. Effects of weighted sled towing on ground reaction force during the acceleration phase of sprint running. J Sports Sci 2014; 32: 1139-1145
• 22 Lees A, Vanrenterghem J, Clercq DD. Understanding how an arm swing enhances performance in the vertical jump. J Biomech 2004; 37: 1929-1940
• 23 Maulder P, Cronin J. Horizontal and vertical jump assessment: reliability, symmetry, discriminative and predictive ability. Phys Ther Sport 2005; 6: 74-82
• 24 Meylan CM, Cronin JB, Oliver JL, Hughes MG, McMaster D. The reliability of jump kinematics and kinetics in children of different maturity status. J Strength Cond Res 2012; 26: 1015-1026
• 25 Meylan CMP, Nosaka K, Green J, Cronin JB. Temporal and kinetic analysis of unilateral jumping in the vertical, horizontal, and lateral directions. J Sports Sci 2010; 28: 545-554
• 26 Minetti AE, Ardigó LP. Biomechanics: Halteres used in ancient Olympic long jump. Nature 2002; 420: 141-142
• 27 Morin J-B, Edouard P, Samozino P. Technical ability of force application as a determinant factor of sprint performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2011; 43: 1680-1688
• 28 Nagano A, Komura T, Fukashiro S. Optimal coordination of maximal-effort horizontal and vertical jump motions – a computer simulation study. BioMed Eng OnLine 2007; 6: 20
• 29 Papadopoulos C, Noussios G, Manolopoulos E, Kiritsi O, Ntones G, Gantiraga E, Gissis I. Standing long jump and handheld halters; is jumping performance improved?. J Hum Sport Exerc 2011; 6: 436-443
• 30 Tang R, Huang C. Legend or history? A biomechanical analysis of extra weights on standing long jump. J Biomech 2007; 40: 609
• 31 Tang R, Huang C. Biomechanics of standing long jump with handheld weight. Paper: XXVI ISBS; July 14–18^th 2008 Seoul, Korea
• 32 Wakai M, Linthorne NP. Optimum take-off angle in the standing long jump. Hum Movement Sci 2005; 24: 81-96