Propulsion and Impact Force Characteristics Between Three Lower Extremity Plyometric Lunge Exercises

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2016

Publication Title

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Supplement

DOI

10.1519/JSC.0000000000001586

ISSN

1533-4287

Abstract

Plyometric exercises utilize the stretch-shortening cycle to produce larger concentric forces than can be produced without a preceding rapid eccentric contraction. Many studies have reviewed the ground reaction forces that are produced in a wide variety of lower body plyometric exercises, such as horizontal jumps, vertical jumps and drop jumps. However, few data are available for one of the most common lower body exercises, the lunge, and how its variations can impact ground reaction forces. Purpose: To compare the propulsion and impact peak forces between the lunge jump (LJ), scissors (SC), and half scissors (HS) plyometric lunges on the dominant extremity. Methods: Twenty-three physically active adult males (29.5 ± 3.4 years, 87.3 ± 13.1 kg, 178.8 ± 7.9 cm) performed 5 repetitions of each lunge variation (LJ, SC and HS) in a counterbalanced order following a standardized warm-up. Only trunk staying vertical and hands on hips were standardized. The average of 3 repetitions was calculated for each dependent variable, which included impact peak force (IPF), propulsion peak force (PPF), time to peak impact force (TPIF), and time to peak propulsion force (TPPF). All dependent measures were calculated for the dominant limb on AMTI forceplates (Watertown, MA). Statistical analysis were separate one factor repeated analysis of variance. Results: PPF was significantly different between exercises (p = 0.007), with the HS being significantly higher than the LJ (HS: 1.09 ± 0.10 BW vs. LJ: 1.19 ± 0.10 BW). There were no significant differences in PPF (LJ: 1.34 ± 0.24 BW vs. SC: 1.31 ± 0.23 BW vs. HS: 1.42 ± 0.25 BW), TPIF (LJ: 0.25 ± 0.18 seconds vs. SC: 0.31 ± 0.19 seconds vs. HS: 0.22 ± 0.17 seconds) or TPPF (LJ: 0.11 ± 0.03 seconds vs. SJ: 0.13 ± 0.05 seconds vs. HS 0.12 ± 0.04 seconds) between the variations of the plyometric lunge. Conclusions: Ground reaction force differences between variations were much smaller than expected. Some of this may be accounted for by differences in anterior-poster shear forces, therefore future research should consider anterior-posterior shear force differences between variations. Practical Applications: When prescribing lower body plyometric exercises, practitioners should be aware that seemingly subtle variations in common exercises can result in significant differences in impact forces. More specifically, the half scissor variation of the lunge can increase peak propulsion forces. As a result, this variation of the lunge could be used as a progression during rehabilitation from an injury, or as a means to stimulate greater adaptation in uninjured populations.

Comments

© 2016 National Strength and Conditioning Association

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS