Citation

Marshall BM, Franklyn-Miller AD, King EA, Moran KA, Strike SC, Falvey EC. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2014; 28(10): 2845-2851.

Affiliation

1Sports Medicine Department, Sports Surgery Clinic, Santry Demesne, Dublin, Ireland 2School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland 3Department of Life Sciences, Roehampton University, London, UK 4Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia 5INSIGHT Research Centre, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, National Strength and Conditioning Association)

DOI

10.1519/JSC.0000000000000463

PMID

24662232

Abstract

Cutting ability is an important aspect of many team sports however the biomechanical determinants of cutting performance are not well understood. This study aimed to address this issue by identifying the kinetic and kinematic factors correlated with the time to complete a cutting maneuver. In addition, an analysis of the test-retest reliability of all biomechanical measures was performed. Fifteen (n = 15) elite multi-directional sports players (Gaelic hurling) were recruited, and a 3D motion capture analysis of a 75° cut was undertaken. The factors associated with cutting time were determined using bi-variate Pearson correlations. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to examine the test-retest reliability of biomechanical measures. Five biomechanical factors were associated with cutting time (2.28 ± 0.11s): peak ankle power (r = 0.77), peak ankle plantar flexor moment (r = 0.65), range of pelvis lateral tilt (r = -0.54), maximum thorax lateral rotation angle (r = 0.51) and total ground contact time (r = - 0.48). ICC scores for these five factors, and indeed for the majority of the other biomechanical measures, ranged from good-to-excellent (ICC > 0.60). Explosive force production about the ankle, pelvic control during single limb support and torso rotation toward the desired direction of travel, were all key factors associated with cutting time. These findings should assist in the development of more effective training programs aimed at improving similar cutting performances. In addition, test-retest reliability scores were generally strong therefore motion capture techniques seem well placed to further investigate the determinants of cutting ability.

Language: en