title: Consistency of Field-Based Measures of Neuromuscular Control Using Force-Plate Diagnostics in Elite Male Youth Soccer Players.
abstract: Read, P, Oliver, JL, Croix, MD, Myer, GD, and Lloyd, RS. Consistency of field-based measures of neuromuscular control using force-plate diagnostics in elite male youth soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 30(12): 3304-3311, 2016-Deficits in neuromuscular control during movement patterns such as landing are suggested pathomechanics that underlie sport-related injury. A common mode of assessment is measurement of landing forces during jumping tasks; however, these measures have been used less frequently in male youth soccer players, and reliability data are sparse. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability of a field-based neuromuscular control screening battery using force-plate diagnostics in this cohort. Twenty-six pre-peak height velocity (PHV) and 25 post-PHV elite male youth soccer players completed a drop vertical jump (DVJ), single-leg 75% horizontal hop and stick (75%HOP), and single-leg countermovement jump (SLCMJ). Measures of peak landing vertical ground reaction force (pVGRF), time to stabilization, time to pVGRF, and pVGRF asymmetry were recorded. A test-retest design was used, and reliability statistics included change in mean, intraclass correlation coefficient, and coefficient of variation (CV). No significant differences in mean score were reported for any of the assessed variables between test sessions. In both groups, pVGRF and asymmetry during the 75%HOP and SLCMJ demonstrated largely acceptable reliability (CV ≤ 10%). Greater variability was evident in DVJ pVGRF and all other assessed variables, across the 3 protocols (CV range = 13.8-49.7%). Intraclass correlation coefficient values ranged from small to large and were generally higher in the post-PHV players. The results of this study suggest that pVGRF and asymmetry can be reliably assessed using a 75%HOP and SLCMJ in this cohort. These measures could be used to support a screening battery for elite male youth soccer players and for test-retest comparison.
authors.affiliation: 1School of Sport, Health and Applied Science, St Mary's University, London, United Kingdom; 2Youth Physical Development Unit, School of Sport, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, United Kingdom; 3School of Sport and Exercise, University of Gloucestershire, Gloucester, United Kingdom; 4Division of Sports Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio; 5Department of Pediatrics and Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; 6The Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention, Boston, Massachusetts; 7Sport Performance Research Institute, New Zealand (SPRINZ), AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand; and 8Department of Orthopaedics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Read
authors.forename: Jon L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: Mark Ba De Ste
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Croix
authors.forename: Gregory D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Myer
authors.forename: Rhodri S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Lloyd
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology*