Functional performance measurements are commonly used outcome measures in a Sport Rehabilitation
setting. Poor performance in lower limb functional tasks such as hopping, bounding and jumping is
associated with an increased risk of injury/re-injury. Understanding the determinants of lower limb functional
performance informs practitioners on actions that can be undertaken to improve performance of these tasks.
Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the associations between lower limb muscle performance
characteristics and various function performance measurements. Understanding any associations present may
better inform clinical decision making in this area.
In lay language, please provide details of:
a) The design of the study (qualitative/quantitative questionnaires etc.)
b) The proposed methods of data collection (what you will do, how you will do this and the nature of tests).
c) The requirement of the participant i.e. the extent of their commitment and the length of time they will be
required to attend testing.
d) Details of where the research/testing will take place, including country.
e) Please state whether the materials/procedures you are using are original, or the intellectual property of a
third party. If the materials/procedures are original, please describe any pre-testing you have done or will do
to ensure that they are effective
a) Cross sectional study design
b) To complete this study the following measurements will be taken
Measures of participants physical characteristics
Height
Height will be recorded in cm using a standard laboratory stadiometer
Weight
Weight will be recorded in kg using a standard laboratory scale
Limb length
Leg length will be captured using a clinical tape measure. Participants will be positioned supine on a plinth.
The distance between the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and distal tip of the lateral malleolus will be
measured. This distance will be recorded as the participant’s limb length.
Warm up
Participants will complete a warm up which will include
3 minutes on an exercise bike at 5-6/10 of the participant’s RPE
Lunges x 10 reps
Squats x 10 reps
Pogo jumps x 10 reps
Functional performance measurements
Lower limb functional performance will be appraised using a range of hop tests.
Single hop for distance
Triple hop for distance
Timed 6m hop
Adapted cross over hop
Figure of 8 hop
Side hop
Muscle performance measurements
Measures of bilateral single-leg concentric knee extensor and flexor muscle performance will be recorded.
Participants will be positioned appropriately on each machine as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Measurements of 1RM will be taken using the protocol as used by Kraemer et al. (1991).