Appendix 3d. Complex Strength and Ballistic Training Intervention

297 Pages·2014·3.38 MB·English

Methods of Assessing, Monitoring and Improving Strength
and Ballistic Performance in Highly Trained Rugby Union
Players

Daniel Travis Williams McMaster

A thesis submitted to
Auckland University of Technology
in fulfilment of the degree

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

2013

Primary Supervisor: Dr. Nicholas Gill
Associate Supervisors: Dr. John Cronin and Dr. Michael McGuigan
Sport Performance Research Institute of New Zealand
AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand
TABLE OF CONTENTS

ATTESTATION OF AUTHORSHIP VII
DEDICATION VIII
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS IX
LIST OF CO-AUTHORED PUBLICATIONS X
LIST OF FIGURES XIII
LIST OF TABLES XV
ABSTRACT XVII
CHAPTER 1 1
PREFACE 1
1.1 Rationale and Significance of Research 2
1.2 Purpose of Research 4
1.3 Significance of Thesis 4
1.4 Structure of Thesis 6
CHAPTER 2 7
A BRIEF REVIEW OF STRENGTH AND BALLISTIC PROFILING METHODOLOGIES: A
RUGBY-FOOTBALL CODE APPLICATION 8
2.0 Lead Summary 9
2.1 Introduction 12
2.2 Methods 13
2.2.1 Search Strategies 13
2.2.2 Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria 14
2.2.3 Data Analysis 14
2.3 Measurement Systems 15
2.3.1 Sampling, Filtering and Smoothing Techniques 16
2.4 Ballistic Profiling 18
2.4.1 Ballistic Assessment Strategies 18
2.4.2 Power Production in Rugby-Football Codes 24
2.5 Maximum Strength 25
2.5.1 Maximum Dynamic Strength Assessment Strategies 25
2.5.2 Maximum Isometric Strength Assessment Strategies 27
2.5.3 Maximum Strength in Rugby-Football Codes 28
2.6 Conclusion 29
CHAPTER 3 32
A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF LITERATURE: THE DEVELOPMENT, RETENTION AND
DECAY RATES OF STRENGTH AND POWER IN ELITE RUGBY UNION, RUGBY LEAGUE
AND AMERICAN FOOTBALL 32
3.0 Lead Summary 33
3.1 Introduction 36
3.2 Methods 38
3.2.1 Definition of Terms 38
3.2.2 Search Strategies 40
3.2.3 Search Summary 40
3.2.4 Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria 41
3.2.5 Study Quality 41
3.2.6 Data Analysis 44
3.3 Results 44
3.3.1 Intensity Relative Volume 49
3.3.2 Intensity Relative Volume Effects on Strength 50
3.3.3 Intensity Relative Volume Effects on Power 51
3.3.4 Frequency 52
3.3.5 Frequency Effects on Strength 53
3.3.6 Frequency Effects on Power 56
II
3.3.7 Long Term Training Effects 59
3.3.8 Detraining 61
3.3.9 Detraining Effects on Strength 61
3.3.10 Detraining Effects on Power 62
3.4 Discussion 64
3.5 Future Directions 67
CHAPTER 4 68
VALIDATION OF WIRELESS ACCELEROMETRY: 68
IS WIRELESS ACCELEROMETRY A VIABLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR ASSESSING
VERTICAL JUMP PERFORMANCE? 68
4.0 Prelude 69
4.1 Introduction 70
4.2 Methods 72
4.2.1 Subjects 72
4.2.2 Instrumentation 73
4.2.3 Procedures 73
4.2.4 Data Analysis 75
4.2.5 Statistical Analysis 76
4.3 Results 77
4.4 Discussion 81
4.5 Practical Applications 84
CHAPTER 5 86
QUANTIFYING MECHANICAL VARIABILITY ACROSS UPPER AND LOWER BODY
BALLISTIC MOVEMENTS 86
5.0 Prelude 87
5.1 Introduction 88
5.2 Methods 89
5.2.1 Subjects 89
5.2.2 Procedures 89
5.2.3 Data Analysis 92
5.2.4 Statistical Analysis 93
5.3 Results 94
5.3.1 Lower Body Kinematics and Kinetics 94
5.3.2 Upper Body Kinematics and Kinetics 95
5.4 Discussion 96
5.4.1 Lower Body Ballistic Profiling 97
5.4.2 Upper Body Ballistic Profiling 99
5.4.3 Eccentric Ballistic Variables 100
5.5 Conclusion 100
5.6 Practical Applications 101
CHAPTER 6 102
IMPORTANCE OF STRENGTH TO BALLISTIC UPPER BODY PERFORMANCE 102
6.0 Prelude 103
6.1 Introduction 104
6.2 Methods 106
6.2.1 Experimental Approach to the Problem 106
6.2.2 Subjects 107
6.2.3 Procedures 108
6.2.4 Data Analysis 109
6.2.5 Statistical Analysis 110
6.3 Results 110
6.3.1 Maximum Power 111
6.3.2 Force-Velocity 112
6.3.3 Countermovement versus Concentric-only 112
6.3.4 Player Rankings 113
6.4 Discussion 114
6.4.1 Maximum Strength 115
III
6.4.2 Maximum Power 115
6.4.3 Force-Velocity 116
6.4.4 Countermovement versus Concentric-only 117
6.4.5 Player Rankings 118
6.5 Practical Applications 119
CHAPTER 7 120
IMPORTANCE OF STRENGTH AND SPRINT ABILITY TO BALLISTIC LOWER BODY
PERFORMANCE 120
7.0 Prelude 121
7.1 Introduction 122
7.2 Methods 125
7.2.1 Experimental Approach to the Problem 125
7.2.2 Subjects 125
7.2.3 Procedures 126
7.2.4 Data Analysis 127
7.2.5 Statistical Analysis 129
7.3 Results 129
7.3.1 Maximum Power 130
7.3.2 Force-Velocity 132
7.3.3 Countermovement Jumps versus Squat Jumps 133
7.3.4 Player Rankings 133
7.4 Discussion 135
7.4.1 Maximum Strength 135
7.4.2 Maximum Power 136
7.4.3 Force-Velocity 137
7.4.4 Countermovement Jumps versus Squat Jumps 138
7.4.5 Player Rankings 139
7.5 Practical Applications 139
CHAPTER 8 142
EFFECTS OF COMPLEX STRENGTH AND BALLISTIC (HEAVY AND LIGHT) TRAINING
ON PERFORMANCE 142
8.0 Prelude 143
8.1 Introduction 144
8.2 Methods 145
8.2.1 Experimental Approach to the Problem 145
8.2.2 Subjects 146
8.2.3 Procedures 147
8.2.4 Data Analysis 152
8.2.5 Statistical Analysis 153
8.3 Results 153
8.3.1 Ballistic Upper Body Adaptations 154
8.3.2 Ballistic Lower Body Adaptations 156
8.4 Discussion 158
8.4.1 Maximum Strength 158
8.4.2 Sprint Performance 159
8.4.3 Ballistic Adaptations 160
8.4.3.1 Ballistic Upper Body Adaptations 161
8.4.3.2 Ballistic Lower Body Adaptations 163
8.5 Practical Applications 166
CHAPTER 9 167
EFFECTS OF A SIX WEEK OFF-SEASON ON STRENGTH, SPRINT ABILITY AND
BALLISTIC PERFORMANCE IN SEMI-PROFESSIONAL RUGBY UNION PLAYERS 167
9.0 Prelude 168
9.1 Introduction 169
9.2 Methods 170
9.2.1 Experimental Approach to the Problem 170
9.2.2 Subjects 170
IV
9.2.3 Procedures 171
9.2.4 Data Analysis 173
9.2.5 Statistical Analysis 174
9.3 Results 174
9.3.1 Ballistic Upper Body Adaptations 174
9.3.2 Ballistic Lower Body Adaptations 175
9.4 Discussion 176
9.5 Practical Applications 180
CHAPTER 10 182
MONITORING BALLISTIC IN-SEASON RECOVERY PATTERNS IN SEMI-PROFESSIONAL
RUGBY UNION PLAYERS 182
10.0 Prelude 183
10.1 Introduction 184
10.2 Methods 185
10.2.1 Experimental Approach to the Problem 185
10.2.2 Subjects 186
10.2.3 Procedures 186
10.2.4 Data Analysis 187
10.2.5 Statistical Analysis 188
10.3 Results 189
10.4 Discussion 190
10.5 Practical Applications 193
CHAPTER 11 194
SUMMARY, PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS AND FUTURE RESEARCH DIRECTIONS 194
11.1 General Summary 195
11.2 Delimitations and Limitations 201
11.3 Practical Applications 202
11.4 Future Research Directions 205
REFERENCES 209
APPENDICES 236
Appendix 1. Ethics Approval Forms 236
Appendix 1a. Ethics Application Number 10/184 236
Appendix 1b. Ethics Application Number 10/183 238
Appendix 1c. Ethics Application Number 12/220 240
Appendix 1d. Ethics Application Number 12/213 242
Appendix 2. Consent Forms 244
Appendix 2a. Validation of Wireless Accelerometry 244
Appendix 2b. Reliability of Lower Body Ballistic Profiling 245
Appendix 2c. Reliability of Upper Body Ballistic Profiling 246
Appendix 2d. Complex Strength and Ballistic Training Intervention 247
Appendix 3. Study Information Sheets 248
Appendix 3a. Validation of Wireless Accelerometry 248
Appendix 3b. Lower Body Ballistic Profile 251
Appendix 3c. Upper Body Ballistic Profile 253
Appendix 3d. Complex Strength and Ballistic Training Intervention 256
Appendix 4. Abstracts of Chapters as Published, In Press or In Review 259
Appendix 4a. Chapter 2: Sports Medicine 259
Appendix 4b. Chapter 3: Sports Medicine 261
Appendix 4c. Chapter 4: Sports Technology / SPRINZ Conference 263
Appendix 4d. Chapter 5: Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 265
Appendix 4e. Chapter 6: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 266
Appendix 4f. Chapter 7: Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 267
Appendix 4g. Chapter 8: Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning 268
Appendix 4h. Chapter 9: Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning 269
V
Appendix 4i. Chapter 10: National Strength and Conditioning Association Conference / Journal of Science
and Medicine in Sport 270
Appendix 5. Copyright Permissions 273
Appendix 5a. Chapter 3 Copyright Permission 273
Appendix 5b. Chapter 4 Copyright Agreement 275
VI
ATTESTATION OF AUTHORSHIP

“I hereby declare that this thesis submission is my own work and that, to the best of my
knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by another
person (except where defined in the acknowledgements), nor material which to a
substantial extent has been submitted for the award of any other degree or diploma of a
university or other institution of higher learning.”

Daniel Travis Williams McMaster

VII
DEDICATION

This thesis is dedicated to the life and memory of

Dr. Melanie Morgan Williams

Mother, fighter and pioneer for veterinarian ophthalmology

25th of September, 1949 to 3rd of May, 2013

VIII
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would first off like to thank the Sports Performance Research Institute of New Zealand
at AUT University; and more specifically, Dr. Nicholas Gill for giving me the opportunity
to continue my studies in a field I love. You have been an unbelievable supervisor,
motivator and friend; your commitment to my research has been immense. I would also
like to thank Dr. John Cronin for your tireless work ethic, constructive feedback and much
needed guidance and friendship over the years. To Dr. Michael McGuigan, you have
provided me with valuable and timely feedback along the way.
Special thanks to the New Zealand Rugby Union for providing me with a rugby
research scholarships that allowed me to partake in this full time PhD journey. Thanks to
the players and coaching staff at Harbour Rugby for supporting my academic interests
and to Sam Pervan and Jan Reyneke for providing me with invaluable practical
experience over the past three years.
To all staff, postgraduate students and friends who have helped me out with my
research; and to those who have provided great conversation and company throughout the
past four years. Thanks for the memories. Special thanks to the West Auckland Admirals
for providing me with a welcome distraction and allowing me to continue to play my
national sport (hockey) at a competitive level. To my girlfriend Tiffany for your love and
affection and keeping me sane through the stressful times.
Special thanks to you, mom and dad for your financial, moral and emotional
support, none of this would have been possible without your help. Lastly, thank you New
Zealand, your beautiful culture, good natured people and magical landscape have opened
my eyes. Your coastal lifestyle has and will always be a part of me, thanks for the surf.

IX
LIST OF CO-AUTHORED PUBLICATIONS

The contribution of co-authors for publications (e.g. McMaster 85%) arising from these
research studies and from whom approval has been granted below for inclusion in this
doctoral thesis.

Published/Accepted

McMaster, D.T., Gill, N., Cronin, J., and McGuigan, M. The Development, Retention and
Decay Rates of Strength and Power in Elite Rugby Union, Rugby League and American
Football: A Systematic Review. Sports Medicine. 43 (5): 367-384, 2013.
(McMaster 85%, Gill 10%, Cronin and McGuigan 5%)

McMaster D.T., Gill, N., Cronin J., and McGuigan, M. Is wireless accelerometry a viable
measurement system for assessing vertical jump performance? Sports Technology,
Accepted, June 14, 2013.
(McMaster 85%, Gill 10%, Cronin and McGuigan 5%)

McMaster D.T., Gill, N., Cronin J., and McGuigan, M. Force-velocity-power assessment
in semi-professional rugby union players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning
Research, Accepted June 17, 2013.
(McMaster 85%, Cronin 10%, Gill and McGuigan 5%)

McMaster D.T., Gill, N., Cronin J., and McGuigan, M. Effects of complex strength and
ballistic training on strength, sprint ability and force-velocity-power profiles of semi-
professional rugby union players. Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning,
Accepted August 5, 2013.
(McMaster 85%, Gill 10%, Cronin and McGuigan 5%)

McMaster D.T., Gill, N., Cronin J., and McGuigan, M. Effects of off-season rest on
strength, sprint ability and ballistic performance in semi-professional rugby union
players. Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning, Accepted (minor change, Nov
9, 2013.
(McMaster 85%, Cronin 5%, Gill 5%, and McGuigan 5%)
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