Muscle contraction type-specific association of acceleration and deceleration performance with rates of force development

Background Many sports require rapid acceleration and deceleration, particularly when changing direction. These movements require a large impulse, highlighting the importance of rates of force development (RFDs). However, the relationships between acceleration and deceleration performance and concentric and eccentric RFDs have remained uncertain. This study evaluated the correlation between RFDs in different muscle contraction types and acceleration and deceleration performances. Methods This study included 28 healthy subjects (13 males and 15 females; age: 21 ± 2 years; height: 1.66 ± 0.09 m; body mass: 65 ± 10 kg). Concentric, eccentric, and isometric RFDs were evaluated by having the subjects perform squat jumps, countermovement jumps, and isometric squats, respectively. Acceleration and deceleration performances were measured using a 10-yard (9.14 m) sprint and change of direction deficit (COD deficit ; calculated by subtracting the linear sprint time from the total time of the pro-agility test), respectively. Correlation analyses were performed to determine the relationship between the RFDs and the 10-yard sprint time and COD deficit . The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (r) was used for normally distributed dependent variable combinations, whereas the Spearman rank correlation coefficient (r(s)) was applied when at least one variable was not normally distributed. Results A faster 10-yard sprint time was only correlated with greater concentric RFD (r(s) = −0.41, p = 0.03, 95% CI [−0.69 to −0.03]), whereas a smaller COD deficit was only correlated with greater eccentric RFD (r(s) = −0.44, p = 0.02, 95% CI [−0.71 to −0.07]). The isometric RFD showed no correlation with any performance parameters. Conclusions A faster 10-yard sprint time was only correlated with a greater concentric RFD, whereas a smaller COD deficit was only correlated with a greater eccentric RFD. Overall, these results provide insights into the association between the acceleration and deceleration performance and RFDs according to muscle contraction type, which could help in the creation of effective training methods for improving acceleration and deceleration performance.