Explosive force production during isometric squats correlates with athletic performance in rugby union players
Abstract
This study investigated the association between explosive force production during isometric squats and athletic performance (sprint time and countermovement jump height). Sprint time (5 and 20 m) and jump height were recorded in 18 male elite-standard varsity rugby union players. Participants also completed a series of maximal- and explosive-isometric squats to measure maximal force and explosive force at 50-ms intervals up to 250 ms from force onset. Sprint performance was related to early phase (≤100 ms) explosive force normalised to maximal force (5 m, r = -0.63, P = 0.005; and 20 m, r = -0.54, P = 0.020), but jump height was related to later phase (>100 ms) absolute explosive force (0.51 < r < 0.61; 0.006 < P < 0.035). When participants were separated for 5-m sprint time (< or ≥ 1s), the faster group had greater normalised explosive force in the first 150 ms of explosive-isometric squats (33-67%; 0.001 < P < 0.017). The results suggest that explosive force production during isometric squats was associated with athletic performance. Specifically, sprint performance was most strongly related to the proportion of maximal force achieved in the initial phase of explosive-isometric squats, whilst jump height was most strongly related to absolute force in the later phase of the explosive-isometric squats.
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Compared with pure maximal voluntary contraction strength, rate of force development seems better related to most performances of both sport-specific and functional daily tasks.
“as compared to pure maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) strength, RFD seems to be (1) better related to most performances of both sport-specific and functional daily tasks (see, e.g., Maffiuletti et al. 2010; Tillin et al. 2013a)”
From Rate of force development: physiological and methodological considerations (2016) · cites this paper as Tillin et al. 2013a
Strength-trained athletes (elite rugby players) with a high RFD demonstrated substantially faster 5-m sprint (acceleration) times (<1 s) than athletes with a lower RFD (slower 5-m sprint times, ≥1 s).
“strength-trained athletes (elite rugby players) with a high RFD demonstrated substantially faster 5-m sprint (acceleration) times (<1 s) than athletes with a lower RFD (slower 5-m sprint times, ≥1 s) (Tillin et al. 2013a).”
From Rate of force development: physiological and methodological considerations (2016) · cites this paper as Tillin et al. 2013a
A negative linear relationship (r2 = 0.42, p < 0.05) was observed between 5-m sprint time and relative RFD obtained at 100 ms.
“a negative linear relationship (r2 = 0.42, p < 0.05) was observed between 5-m sprint time and relative RFD obtained at 100 ms (Tillin et al. 2013a).”
From Rate of force development: physiological and methodological considerations (2016) · cites this paper as Tillin et al. 2013a
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Squatting Kinematics and Kinetics and Their Application to Exercise Performance
Schoenfeld, B. J. (2010) · Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research · doi:10.1519/jsc.0b013e3181bac2d7 · Cited by 545 · cited 1× · see citing works
“We chose to investigate explosive-isometric performance in squats because this exercise is widely used for improving maximal and explosive strength of the lower body, and is kinematically similar to many functional sports activities (Schoenfeld, 2010), including sprinting and jumping.”
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Isometric Knee-Extensor Torque Development and Jump Height in Volleyball Players
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Maximum rate of force development is increased by antagonist conditioning contraction
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Rate of force development: physiological and methodological considerations
Maffiuletti, N. A., Aagaard, P., Blazevich, A. J., Folland, J., Tillin, N., & Duchateau, J. (2016) · European Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1007/s00421-016-3346-6 · Cited by 1,424 · see citing works
Self-citationHuman capacity for explosive force production: Neural and contractile determinants
Folland, J. P., Buckthorpe, M. W., & Hannah, R. (2014) · Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports · doi:10.1111/sms.12131 · Cited by 327 · see citing works
Self-citationTillin, N. A., & Folland, J. P. (2014) · European Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1007/s00421-013-2781-x · Cited by 140 · see citing works
Self-citationGrgic, J., Pedisic, Z., Saunders, B., Artioli, G. G., Schoenfeld, B. J., McKenna, M. J., Bishop, D. J., Kreider, R. B., Stout, J. R., Kalman, D. S., et al. (2021) · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · doi:10.1186/s12970-021-00458-w · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Blazevich, A. J., Wilson, C. J., Alcaraz, P. E., & Rubio-Arias, J. A. (2020) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.1007/s40279-019-01239-x · Cited by 119 · see citing works
Nitrate supplement benefits contractile forces in fatigued but not unfatigued muscle
TILLIN, N. A., MOUDY, S., NOURSE, K. M., & TYLER, C. J. (2018) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/mss.0000000000001655 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Self-citationHannah, R., & Folland, J. P. (2015) · Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism · doi:10.1139/apnm-2014-0343 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Self-citation
- Authors
- Tillin, N. A., Pain, M. T. G., & Folland, J.
- Affiliations
- University of Roehampton (GB)
- Loughborough University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Tillin, Neale Anthony
- Venue
- Journal of Sports Sciences
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2013-01
- Volume
- 31
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 66-76
- ISSN
- 0264-0414 (ISSN-L)
- 1466-447X
- OpenAlex
- W2019993999
- Cited by
- 249
- References
- 7
- Citations by year
- 2026: 21 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 33 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 8.28
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Sports Sciences (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Sports Dynamics and Biomechanics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Sport Psychology and Performance
- Keywords
- explosive power, isometric squat, rugby union, sprint performance, countermovement jump, athletic performance, peak force, elite athletes
- MeSH terms
- Acceleration, Adult, Physical Exertion, Humans, Male, Running, Weight Lifting, Muscle Strength, Athletic Performance, Young Adult
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