Research article summary (published 30 Mar 2008):

Triple-hop distance as a valid predictor of lower limb strength and power.

Full Abstract

CONTEXT: Hop tests are functional tests that reportedly require strength, power, and postural stability to perform. The extent to which a triple-hop distance (THD) test measures each of these characteristics is relatively unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent to which the THD predicts performance on clinical measures of power, strength, and balance in athletic individuals. DESIGN: Within-subjects correlational study. SETTING: Station-based, preseason screening of athletes. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Forty National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-AA men's and women's soccer student-athletes (20 women, 20 men; age = 20.0 +/- 1.4 years, height = 172.8 +/- 9.2 cm, mass = 71.9 +/- 8.9 kg). INTERVENTION(S): As part of a comprehensive preseason screening of athletes, participants completed the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) test, 3 trials each of the THD and vertical jump, and 5 repetitions each of concentric isokinetic quadriceps and hamstrings strength testing at 60 degrees /s and 180 degrees /s. Bivariate correlations and linear regression analyses determined the extent to which THD (cm) predicted each of the strength, power, and balance measures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Maximal vertical jump height (cm), total BESS error scores, and quadriceps (Quad(60), Quad(180)) and hamstrings (Ham(60), Ham(180)) isokinetic maximum peak torque (Nm) at 60 degrees /s and 180 degrees /s, respectively. RESULTS: Triple-hop distance was a strong predictor of vertical jump height, explaining 69.5% of the variance (P < .01). THD also predicted 56.7% of the variance in Ham(60) (P < .01), 55.5% of the variance in Ham(180) (P < .01), 49.0% of the variance in Quad(60) (P < .01), and 58.8% of the variance in Quad(180) (P < .01). No relationships between THD and BESS scores were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Triple-hop distance is a useful clinical test to predict an athlete's lower extremity strength and power. Although THD was not a predictor of static balance, further research is needed to examine its relationship with more dynamic balance tests.

Author information

Author/s: Hamilton, R Tyler (RT); Shultz, Sandra J (SJ); Schmitz, Randy J (RJ); Perrin, David H (DH);

Affiliation: The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Validation Studies

Journal: Journal of athletic training (J Athl Train), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2008 Apr-Jun; vol 43 (issue 2) : pp 144-51

Dates: Created 2008/03/17; Completed 2008/04/18; Revised 2009/05/21;

PMID: 18345338, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 5/21/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent Adult Female Humans Leg - physiology Male

Muscle Contraction - physiology Muscle Strength - physiology Muscle, Skeletal - physiology Posture Soccer - physiology Statistics as Topic

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