This week in the world of sports science, here’s what happened…
- Does grunting enhance power output, or is it a waste of energy?
- Alcohol and injury recovery?
- Are football managers’ tactics influenced by the crowd?
Does grunting enhance power output, or is it a waste of energy?
Grunting is commonly observed in various sports, such as tennis, and recent research indicates that it can actually enhance power output! In a new study, 24 taekwondo athletes executed maximal cross punches, roundhouse kicks, countermovement jumps, and seated landmine throws under three distinct breathing conditions: holding the breath, exhaling during exertion, and grunting.
The findings reveal that grunting significantly increased power output in both the cross punches and roundhouse kicks, as well as significantly improved countermovement jump height when compared to the held breath and exhaling conditions. However, no substantial differences were noted in the seated landmine throw.
These results suggest that grunting may serve as a simple and cost-effective method for enhancing power output during explosive movements, such as striking and jumping. The researchers propose that grunting is particularly effective for enhancing power during activities requiring kinetic linking between the upper and lower extremities, which explains the lack of impact grunting had on the seated landmine throw.
Alcohol and injury recovery?
A recent online article by renowned Professor in Performance John Kiely highlights the impact of alcohol on injury recovery. Kiely begins by defending England cricket captain Ben Stokes, who made the decision to give up alcohol in order to recover from a hamstring injury. While some viewed Stokes’ choice as extreme, Kiely effectively explains why it was the right move.
Kiely presents several compelling reasons why consuming alcohol during recovery can be detrimental. Firstly, alcohol hampers the immune system’s ability to reach and repair injured tissues, and even a single alcoholic drink can slow down regeneration and prolong swelling in the affected area. Moderate alcohol intake can reduce muscle protein synthesis—the process of repairing and rebuilding muscle—for up to 48 hours. Moreover, heavy alcohol consumption can delay healing from a bone fracture by as much as two weeks and from a muscle sprain by three weeks. Alcohol also disrupts communication between the brain and body, resulting in subtle impairments to coordination, balance, and reaction time that can persist for days after drinking. These impairments can increase the likelihood of reinjury.
So, Ben Stokes’ decision was justified! To learn more about this topic, check out Kiely’s article and our blog: Alcohol And Performance: How Should Athletes Approach It?
Are football managers’ tactics influenced by the crowd?
A recent study published in the Journal of Sports Economics has shed light on the influence of crowd size on the decision-making processes of travelling football managers. The research analysed the substitution patterns employed by managers in the top five European football leagues from 2017 to 2021.
The researchers discovered that managers of the away team are more inclined to make defensive substitutions when competing against a team with a large home crowd. They suggest that the presence of a large home crowd exerts negative social pressure on the managers, which provokes feelings of fear and leads to more defensive and less risk-taking substitutions.
Therefore, this research suggests that many football managers are not fully prepared for intimidating environments, and these environments influence their tactics. Maybe it’s the managers who could benefit from a little support from their sports psychologists, rather than the players! Our excellent course, Sport Psychology for Coaches, is well worth checking out.
From us this week:
>> New course: Coping with Stress and Anxiety
>> New podcast: The Truth About Blood Flow Restriction with Dr. Warren Bradley
>> New infographic: Priming Practical Recommendations
>> New article: Hydrotherapy
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