CORRELATION BETWEEN POWER CAPABILITIES AND THROWING PERFORMANCE IN FEMALE ATHLETES

INTRODUCTION In throwing events the power production capabilities can have a large impact on athlete’s performance. This study aims to establish the relationship between parameters assessed in a jump protocol and performance in female athletes. METHODS 27 young regional and national level female throwers (age 18.9 ± 2.7 years, height 1.70 ± 0.09 m, body mass 78.7 ± 16.4 kg) were selected to take part to regional level training camps with a four-monthly cadence. During those camps, athletes' jumping performance was assessed in the following tests: squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump with fixed arms (CMJ), countermovement jump with arms swing (CMJa) and multiple jumps with arms swing for 8 seconds (MJT). Jump height was computed from flight times measured by an optoelectric system (Optojump, Microgate, Bolzano, Italy) (Glatthorn et al., 2011). Additionally, relative power (Prel) and absolute power (Ptot) produced in MJT were computed (Landolsi et al.). Season’s best performance for each participant was collected and standardized for discipline’s world record (SBS). Correlations between performance parameters and SBS were tested using Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient. RESULTS SBS showed neither correlation with height reached in all jump test nor Prel in MJT. Otherwise, a significant correlation was established between SBS and Ptot (0.673; p<0.001) and SBS and Bodymass (0.717; p<0.001). DISCUSSION The results are in accordance with recent literature showing significant linear correlation between SBS performance and ability to generate power. Bourdin et al. (2010) did not found correlation between relative power measurements and SBS in male national level throwers, while half squat Ptot, bench press Ptot and body mass were significantly correlated. In that study, body mass showed a lower correlation with SBS (r=0.540; p<0.001) than our results, possibly suggesting a larger impact of body mass on performance for female subjects. In another study, while testing national level male shot putters, MJT absolute power showed significant correlation (r=0.810; p<0.01) with SBS whereas MJT relative power was not correlated (Landolsi et al., 2015). The present study widens current literature on the importance of power production towards throwing performance in female athletes. Thus, showing how body mass seems to play a key role for female athletes, training practice should be adapted accordingly. REFERENCES Bourdin, M. et al. “Throwing Performance Is Associated with Muscular Power.” International Journal of Sports Medicine 31.7 (2010): 505–510. Web. Glatthorn, Julia F. et al. “Validity and Reliability of Optojump Photoelectric Cells for Estimating Vertical Jump Height.” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 25.2 (2011): 556–560. Web. Landolsi, M. et al. “Relationships between Power Outputs Measured from Force-Velocity Test, Optojump Test and Five-Jump Test in Male Shot Putters.” Science and Sports 30.5 (2015): e119–e126. Web.