The impact of testing-parameter variability on force production in the isometric single-leg long-lever bridge: implications for training and testing rigor in sporting environments
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of knee angle variability on force production outcomes during the single-leg isometric long-lever bridge, thus providing monitoring guidelines for testing rigor with direct implications for feasibility across a variety of high-performance sporting environments. METHODS: Thirty men (age: 19.4 ± 1.3 years; height: 179.8 ± 6.3 cm; body mass: 80.4 ± 10.3 kg) and 14 women (age: 20.0 ± 1.3 years; height: 166.9 ± 7.2 cm; body mass: 64.4 ± 7.4 kg) all of whom were Division 3 athletes with no recent injury history volunteered to participate in the study. All participants completed three testing sessions over five days in randomized order, with knee flexion angles of 15°, 30°, or 45° degrees. Each session consisted of three unilateral maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC), with the athlete's heels positioned on force plates, shoulders elevated on a 15.24 cm box, and hips secured using a rigid barbell. All data was analyzed to assess net force production comparisons between knee angles at 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 ms and peak force (N). RESULTS: ²), and significant differences observed between all knee angles (p < 0.05). Pairwise comparisons revealed effect sizes ranging between small-large for males (Hedge's g = 0.27-1.84) and moderate to very large for females (g = 0.51-2.18) across individual force-time points. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that the knee angle must be rigorously controlled when performing the single-leg isometric long-lever bridge to mitigate unwanted variability and to accurately assess the intended musculature, especially for longitudinal monitoring.
Institutions: University of Salford, William & Mary, Edith Cowan University
Language: English
Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,890
OpenAlex ID: W4416678360