This week in the world of sports science, here’s what happened…
- The science behind the athleticism of Anthony Edwards
- The limb-asymmetry “calculation conundrum”
- Does the combination of the supplements quercetin and citrulline enhance cycling performance?
The science behind the athleticism of Anthony Edwards
Basketball player Anthony Edwards, representing the Minnesota Timberwolves, is rapidly establishing himself as a superstar in the NBA. A recent video by the ESPN Sports Science team provides significant insights into his exceptional athletic capabilities.
The video explains how fast-twitch muscle fibres function by converting stored energy into power, enabling explosive movements. Edwards exhibits a remarkable capacity to generate rapid energy spikes, producing nearly half a tonne of launch force that enables him to achieve vertical leaps of nearly 12 feet! His takeoff generates a peak power output of 500 watts, a quantity of energy sufficient to power an iPhone for four hours, as humorously noted in the video.
This ability to generate rapid energy spikes is also advantageous to his speed. Edwards can cover the distance from the three-point line to the hoop in a mere 1.5 seconds, thereby enhancing the impact of his dunks. Moreover, his signature turnaround jump shot is becoming an increasingly vital component of his skill set, bolstered by his impressive rotational speed, which reaches 580 degrees per second.
For those with an interest in basketball or sports science, this video is an essential viewing experience. It offers an enlightening examination of the athleticism demonstrated by a truly exceptional talent and illustrates the clear relationship between sports science principles and the execution of athletic skills.
The limb-asymmetry “calculation conundrum”
In recent years, advancements in technology have led to the increased availability of equipment such as force plates and VALD Performance Technology for practitioners. This enhanced accessibility has enabled practitioners to comprehensively understand athlete asymmetries, which proves to be exceedingly valuable. A recent blog and video by Jo Clubb of Global Performance Insights presents noteworthy information regarding athlete asymmetries.
The blog first clarifies the difference between intra-limb and inter-limb asymmetries. Intra-limb asymmetries involve comparing different muscles within the same limb; for example, the ratio of external to internal rotation strength in the shoulder joint illustrates this concept. On the other hand, inter-limb asymmetry refers to comparisons between the left and right sides of the body. To gather data on inter-limb asymmetry, both bilateral and unilateral assessments can be employed.
Surprisingly, there exists a variety of equations used for calculating asymmetries. Clubb refers to this phenomenon as the “Calculation Conundrum” and provides an insightful explanation in her video regarding the significance of employing the appropriate equation. Her blog features a calculator that demonstrates how different equations can yield varying results based on the same input data.
Clubb recommends utilising the Bilateral Asymmetry Index 1 or Symmetry Index equations for bilateral tests. For unilateral assessments, she suggests employing equations such as the Bilateral Strength Asymmetry or Standard Percentage Difference.
If you want to learn more about athlete asymmetries, we recommend checking out Clubb’s blog and video. Our own blog Asymmetry between limbs: Does it really matter? is also worth reading.
Does the combination of the supplements quercetin and citrulline enhance cycling performance?
Recent research has examined the effectiveness of the supplements quercetin, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound, and citrulline, a non-essential amino acid, in enhancing cycling performance. The study involved 48 highly trained cyclists, divided into four groups: a quercetin group, a citrulline group, a combined quercetin and citrulline group, and a placebo group. The participants consumed the designated supplements daily for a period of 28 consecutive days.
To evaluate performance improvements, researchers conducted a pre- and post-supplementation 20 km time trial. The findings indicated that the combination of quercetin and citrulline did not yield any significant benefits in time trial performance. Nonetheless, both the quercetin and citrulline groups exhibited improvements in oxygen kinetics.
While additional research is warranted to explore the effects of quercetin and citrulline further, the current study suggests that combining these two supplements does not confer any advantages in cycling time trial performance.
From us this week:
>> New course: Bone Injuries
>> New podcast: The Data Revolution in Sport: Insights from Elite Sports Analysts on Optimising Performance
>> New infographic: Four Patters Of ACL Injuries In Women’s Professional Soccer
>> New article: Hydrotherapy
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