Abstract

This study measured the peak force (PF) in cadet inline speed skaters (ISS) and verified the physical measures that determine athletes' performance on the Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Test (IMTP) through a multivariate regression and discriminant canonical analysis. A total of 36 high-performance male (n= 18; age= 17.4± 1.21 years; body mass= 65.1± 6.18 kg; height= 168.6± 5.1 cm) and female (n= 18; age= 17.4± 1.23 years; body mass= 55.5± 4.4 kg; height= 158.6± 5.2 cm) athletes were measured two times (with a 3-day interval). All participants performed the IMTP and sit-and-reach (SR) tests, and an evaluator performed anthropometric circumference measurements on their thighs and calves. The main results indicated that males showed a higher PF on the test (m= 59.0± 3.9 N/kg vs. f= 50.4± 5.8 N/kg; p≤ 0.001) and retest (m= 59.1± 4.2 N/kg vs. f= 51.9± 6.6 N/kg; p≤ 0.001). In the first, thigh circumference (X2= 29.01, p≤ 0.001, R2= 0.74) had an overall 91.7% prediction. The second model included using the SR and thigh circumference (X2= 49.91, p≤ 0.001, R2= 1.0) showed an overall prediction of 100.0%. The thigh circumference matrix showed better predictive power for (coefficient= 7.158) male and female IMTP performance. In conclusion, despite the gender differences, the thigh circumference is a good predictor for PF in cadet ISS athletes.