title: Influence of familiarization on a backward, overhead medicine ball explosive power test.
abstract: This study examined the influence of familiarization with the backward, overhead medicine ball throw test of explosive power. Male rugby players (N = 28) aged 15 to 16 (M +/- SD = 15.1 +/- 0.5) years completed the medicine ball throw six times. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated that the distance thrown differed across trials (F5,135 = 12.83, p < 0.01). Least significant differences post hoc multiple comparisons revealed significant differences between a number of trials; however, no significant difference was evident between the fifth and sixth trials (Mdiff = .005, p > 0.05). Typical error of measurement became less as trials progressed, with the typical error of measurement being 0.10 m between the fifth and sixth trials indicating little within subject variation between medicine ball throws following a familiarization period. The backward, overhead medicine ball throw may be a practical, reliable method to assess total body, explosive power of male teen-aged rugby players; however, completion of at least 5 to 6 practice trials is suggested for participants to obtain a stable score.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sports Studies, Newman College of Higher Education, Birmingham, England. m.j.duncan@newman.ac.uk
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Yahya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Al-Nakeeb
authors.forename: Alan M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Nevill
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000592:standards*; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results