EFFECTS OF ROPE ANGLES IN WEIGHTED SLED RUNNING ON ELECTROMYOGRAPHY AND GROUND REACTION FORCE IN FEMALE RUGBY PLAYERS

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: This research aimed to determine and compare electromyography (EMG), vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) and velocity over 5 meters during a weighted sled running with rope angle was at 30 and 60 degrees. Methods: Fifteen female rugby players, aged between 18-25 years, were recruited from Chulalongkorn University. All subjects began with an unloading sprint over 5 meters with a 2-standing point start. Then, subjects were crossoverrandomized assigned to either a weighted sled running (30% of the body weight) at 30 or 60 degrees. Each subject was asked to repeat each set of weighted sprints 3 times with a 5- minute rest between sprints. Dependent variables were the average velocity (5 m.), VGRF at the 3rd stance, and EMG activity (% Maximum voluntary isotmetric contraction, MVIC). Data were analyzed with oneway repeated ANOVA, followed by Turkey post hoc test. The level of significance was set at p-value ≤ 0.05 Results: The results showed that there significant difference in the average velocity during 5-m sprint among an unloaded sprint and a weight sled with 30 and 60 degree However, there was a trend, although no statistical different, for higher EMG activity and lower vertical ground reaction force in a weight sled with 60 degree compared with 30 degree and unloaded. Conclusion: The present findings indicated that the weighted sled running with a rope angle at 60 degree in female rugby players appears to be effective at the stimulation of muscles studied, with low vertical ground reaction force during a short sprint. Keywords: Weighted