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GROUND REACTION FORCES AND TEMPORAL CHARACTERISTICS DEFINE CUTTING PERFORMANCE

Abstract

L.N. Lee, M. Welinski, B. McBroom, B. Mufarreh, A.D. Gidley

Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA

Moderate angle cutting maneuvers (between 45º and 90º) are a common and essential performance skill for success in multidirectional sports (Havens et al, 2017). Research often addresses the injury risks of cutting (e.g. Shin, et al., 2011; Beaulieu, et al, 2009) but very few studies have attempted to quantify the performance of the cut itself (e.g. Andrews, 1922; Queen, et al, 2007). PURPOSE: To identify any anthropometric, kinematic, and/or kinetic markers of a high-performance cut. METHODS: Ten college-aged male athletes (A) (mass 73.97 ± 8.77kg, height 1.81 ± 0.07m) and ten non-athletes (NA) (mass 87.37 ± 13.93kg, height 1.85 ± 0.04m) completed five moderate angle cutting trials with a speed constraint of 4.03 m/s - 4.44 m/s through a 3m in to and 3 m out of a 60˚ change in direction set-up. Ground reaction forces (GRF) were collected with a force plate at the apex of the cut, and 2 cameras (210fps) were used for kinematic analysis (Kinovea®). Fifty variables, including anthropometrics, measures of power, and kinematic, kinetic and temporal variables related to the cuts were measured and compared between the two groups using independent T-tests (α=.05). RESULTS: Of the 50 variables tested, only 6 variables, including percent time in the braking and propulsion phase, GRF Y loading rate (kN/s), right leg squat jump takeoff velocity (m/s), Q-angle (deg), and body mass (kg) were significantly different between the two groups. A spent significantly less time in the propulsion phase (52.0% ± 0.02%, p=.007) compared to NA (55.4% ± 0.03%). The propulsion phase was determined as the percentage of the contact phase the knee was extending (e.g. Green, et al, 2012). Additionally, A produced significantly greater instantaneous values of X GRF, Y GRF, and Z GRF during the propulsion phase (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Greater GRFs coupled with a shorter propulsion phase by A accounted for the lack of differences in the propulsion impulse between the two groups. Therefore, both groups accomplished the task with a similar exit velocity, but A made the move into the new direction in a shorter amount of time. We believe this skill is an important component of performance in multidirectional sports. Changing direction in a shorter time improves an athlete’s ability to evade an opponent, by decreasing the time an opponent has to react to a new direction.

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