Effect of 4 weeks of resistance training on upper limb stability and ball velocity in amateur field hockey players

Field hockey i s a team sport structured in standard hockey format, i n which each team plays with

eleven players in total, made up of ten outfield players and a goalkeeper. Teams must move a hockey

ball around a pitch b y hitting it with a hockey stick towards the rival team’s shooting circle and then

into the goal.

The different types of shots played i n hockey are:

1.Hit: There is good backswing and both hands need to be together on top o f the

stick. It helps cover long distances along the ground and is helpful during passing.

2.Push: The stroke has no backswing, helps push the ball a short distance across the

ground for a short pass.

3.Slap: A hard quick pass or a shot on goal. It’s done with a half backswing with

hands slightly apart on the stick.

4. Flick: Can be used to raises the ball off the ground and is a good way o f flipping

the ball over an opponent’s stick.

5. Backhand Hit: It’s a reverse hit. Useful in passing or going for goal, should

involve contact with the flat side of the stick.

6.Drag Flick: The action involves a player crouching low down next to the ball and picking i t u p on

the shaft o f the hockey stick

Scapular stability is important for normal shoulder function and to maintain the scapula i n normal

alignment. The resting position of the arm creates a downward rotation, abduction and forward

tipping moment on the scapula. The downward rotation is balanced by the dynamic support of upper

trapezius and serratus anterior. The forward tipping and abduction are balanced by rhomboids and

middle and lower trapezius. With active arm motion, the trapezius muscles with serratus anterior

upwardly rotate the scapula whenever arm abducts or flexes and the serratus anterior protracts the

scapula on the thorax to align scapula during arm flexion and hand activities.

AIM: To study the effect o f 4 weeks o f upper limb resistance training on upper

limb stability and ball velocity i n amateur field hockey players

OBJECTIVES:

1 . To assess the upper limb stability using Closed kinematic chain upper limb

stability test.

2. To measure the ball velocity during 6 different strikes using Pocket Radar Unit.

3 . To implement a 4 week upper body workout using ACSM strength and

conditioning

Methodology:

Study setting: School o f Physiotherapy, D.Y. Patil University and D.Y. Patil Hospital &

research centre.

Study Design- Observational Intervention study

Study duration- 6 months

Study participants/subjects- Amateur Field Hockey Players above18 years of age

Sample size- To b e calculated

Sampling procedure - Convenient Sampling

Randomization & Blinding - Not applicable

Measurement/Parameters - Apparatus:

1. Closed kinematic chain upper limb stability test

2. Pocket Radar Unit to measure the ball velocity o f the shot

3. I phone to shoot the shot o f each player

4. Tripod to fi x the phone at the particular angle

5 . Ratamess Jr. N , ACM’s Foundations o f Strength Training and Conditioning, by American

College of Sports Medicine, 401 W ,Michigan St, Indianapolis,IN 46202-3223 USA, 2012.

Inclusion criteria -

Male and female field hockey players

Age group: above 1 8 years

Players who do regular practice

Players who have been practicing since 2yrs

Players willing to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

Recreational field hockey players

Players who play the role of Goal keepers

Players who have reported recent injury or trauma less than 6 months back

Procedure:

Subjects will be screened as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

• We will get the subjects consent before conducting the study.

• Reliable tests will be used to evaluate the strength and performance of the upper extremities

prior to training.

• The strength component consists of Grip strength, Scapular muscle strength which includes

trapezius (Upper, middle and lower fibres) and serratus anterior muscles, Rotator cuff

muscles (supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis). The performance

component consists of seated medicine ball Throw (SMBT)(6), Closed Kinematic Upper

extremity strength test (CKUEST) (7), Push up test (8)

.

• All 6 shots of hockey will be played by each player

• Pocket Radar Unit a device to test the speed of the ball will be used to test all 6 shots of

each player which will be connected to an iphone to record all the videos of each player.

• Post both the testings are done each player will be trained for 4 weeks on a resistance training

protocol by Ratamess Jr. N, ACSM’s Foundations of Strength Training and Conditioning, by

American College of Sports Medicine, 401 W ,Michigan St, Indianapolis ,IN 46202-3223

USA, 2012.

• Post the training protocol each player will be tested once again on all 6 shots of hockey and

Closed Kinematic Chain Upper Limb Stability Chain.

• Pre and Post measures of both these tests will be compared