Below is my latest article published on WaterPoloPlanet.com. Read and enjoy.
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RESEARCH REVIEW - #1, August 2010
In this series of articles I will copy the abstracts of relevant Water Polo research and give a short commentary on each one. Due to copyright laws I am unable to supply the full article. If you wish to have the full article please go to PubMed.com or other appropriate website to obtain a copy. If you are affiliated with an university you will likely be able to obtain many of these articles for free from your library.
McCluskey L, et al. Throwing velocity and jump height in female water polo players: Performance predictors. J Sci Med Sport (2009)
Abstract: Throwing velocity and vertical jumping ability are essential components for shooting and passing in water polo. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between throwing velocity and water jump height in highly skilled female water polo players. Throwing velocity and head height at ball release were measured in twenty-two female players (age 20.41 years (6.16); weight 68.28 kg (8.87)) with two 50 frames per second cameras while shooting at goal. Water jump height was also measured with a modified Yardstick® device. Multiple regression analyses showed that peak lower limb power was the most significant predictor of maximal velocity. Power alone accounted for 62% of the variance in maximum velocity (p < 0.001). Once power was entered into the model none of the other physical characteristics (lean mass, fat mass, land jump height and anthropometry) made a significant contribution to throwing velocity. After controlling for the effect of power, head height at ball release accounted for an additional significant proportion of the variance in maximal velocity (R2 change 7%; p = 0.049). Lower body power was a significant predictor of higher throwing velocity in highly skilled female water polo players. Players with relatively higher underlying levels of lower limb power who are able to generate greater elevation out of the water are able to throw the ball faster.
My Comments: A critical factor of having a big shot is leg power but not just in the water. The athletes with an above average throwing velocity also had a higher on-land vertical jump and were basically just larger athletes.
The authors in their closing statement (see full article) state “... multifactorial approach including water based training such as swimming and water polo skills training as well as land based training such as strength training are consistent with achievement of higher overhead throwing velocities.”
So, don't discount your strength training and other on-land activities BUT you still must practice and improve your sports specific skills in the water.
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McMaster WC, Long SC, Caiozzo VJ. Isokinetic torque imbalances in the rotator cuff of the elite water polo player. Am J Sports Med Jan-Feb;19(1):72-5 (1991)
Abstract: The specific repetitive activity of water polo, like baseball pitching, emphasizes adduction and internal rotation. This study used the Cybex II to evaluate the isokinetic strength of the rotator cuff in elite water polo players and in a group of control subjects. The water polo players were significantly stronger than the controls. Of greater importance was the confirmation of imbalances in the rotator cuff force couples of adduction/abduction and external/internal rotation. These changes are similar to those reported for pitchers. The adductors in the water polo group had gained in relative strength resulting in an increase in the adduction/abduction ratio to about 2:1. The internal rotators had gained in relative strength resulting in a decrease in the external/internal ratio to about 0.6:1. For both force couples the differences are more apparent at a slow speed. Side-to-side differences were not significant.
My Comments: This and other similar articles are important to remember and think about when designing strength training programs for Water Polo athletes. I believe that the first thing all strength programs need to do is keep the athlete healthy. Look at the sport and do the opposite! It may seem contrary to conventional thought, especially when you think of specificity but there is a cost for only doing sport specific training and that cost is usually pain and injury.
Basically, spend more time on training your pulling muscles and external rotators of the shoulder. This is a key to effective programing for the Water Polo player and is outlined in many of the articles I have written here on Water Polo Planet.
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READ THE REST OF MY RESEARCH REVIEW HERE.
Enjoy and Be Well,
Michael Reid, B.HE. CSCS, RKC
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