The relationship between the bunkie-test and selected biomotor abilities in elite-level rugby players

Thesis (M Sport Sc (Sport Science)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this exploratory study was to assess the fascia alignment in kinetic muscle chains and to determine the relationship between these results and selected biomotor abilities in rugby players. It is suggested that restrictions in the fascia along the kinetic chains inhibit muscle function and therefore influence movement patterns, such as those required by skilled rugby players. The isometric Bunkie-test was used to assess fascia alignment in ten kinetic chains related to movement patterns. Standard functional tests were used to assess agility, speed, speed endurance, lower body explosive power and upper body muscle endurance. The relationship between fascia alignment and injury occurrence was also determined. The subjects (n = 121) were all elite-level rugby players from three rugby academies. They participated voluntarily in a once-off assessment, consisting of the Bunkie-test, an Illinois agility test, a 10m sprint test, a 40m sprint test, a repeated sprint test, a vertical jump test and a maximum pull-ups test. Subjects also completed an injury questionnaire regarding all previous and current injuries. No intervention was applied and the statistical analysis was based on this assessment. Numerous significant relationships (p < 0.05) were found between the results of the Bunkietest and results of the performance tests. Players performing better on the Bunkie-test demonstrated better biomotor abilities. Very few significant findings (p < 0.05) were found when comparing the results of the Bunkie-test to injury occurrence. The conclusion was made that restrictions in the fascia of kinetic chains, as determined by the Bunkie-test, could influence a rugby player’s ability to perform biomotor movements optimally. Whether restrictions in the fascia resulted in an increased injury occurrence could not be shown. The Bunkie-test might be a tool for coaches and rehabilitation therapists to identify weaknesses and imbalances in the kinetic chains of athletes. Addressing these problems could then lead to improvements in sport performance.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie ondersoekende studie was om die belyning van die fascia in kinetiese spierkettings te evalueer, asook om die verhouding tussen hierdie resultate en geselekteerde biomotoriese vermoëns in rugbyspelers. Daar is aanduidings dat beperkings in die fascia van enige spierketting spierfunksie kan inhibeer en dus ook die effektiwiteit van bewegingspatrone kan beïnvloed. Die isometriese Bankie-toets is gebruik om die fascia belyning in tien spierkettings te evalueer. Hierdie spierkettings is belangrik vir die uitvoer van algemene bewegingspatrone. Standaard funksionele toetse is gebruik om ratsheid, spoed, spoed-uithouvermoë, eksplosiewe krag van die onderste ledemate en spieruithouvermoë van die bolyfspiere te bepaal. Die verwantskap tussen fascia belyning en die aantal beserings in rugbyspelers is ook bepaal. Die proefpersone (n = 121) was almal elite-vlak rugbyspelers verbonde aan een van drie rugby akademies. Alle spelers het vrywillig deelgeneem aan die studie. Toetsing is eenmalig gedoen en het bestaan uit die Bankie-toets, die Illinois ratsheidstoets, ‘n 10m spoedtoets, ‘n 40m spoedtoets, ‘n herhaalde-spoed toets, ‘n vertikale sprong toets en ‘n maksimale optrektoets. Spelers het ook ‘n vraelys aangaande huidige en vorige beserings ingevul. Geen intervensie is in hierdie studie gedoen nie en die statistiese analise was dus op die bogenoemde gebaseer. Verskeie beduidende verwantskappe (p < 0.05) is gevind tussen die resultate van die Bankietoets en die resultate van die funksionele toetse. Spelers wat beter resultate in die Bankie-toets verkry het, het ook beter biomotoriese vermoëns getoon. Min beduidende resultate (p < 0.05) is gevind tussen die resultate van die Bankie-toets en die voorkoms van beserings. Die gevolgtrekking is gemaak dat beperkinge in die fascia van spierkettings, soos deur die Bankie-toets bepaal, wel ‘n rugbyspeler se vermoë om biomotoriese bewegings optimaal uit te voer kan beïnvloed. Of beperkinge in die fascia ook aanleiding gee tot ‘n toename in aantal beserings kon nie met hierdie studie vasgestel word nie. Die Bankie-toets kan moontlik ‘n instrument vir afrigters en rehabilitasie-terapeute wees. Die doel daarvan sal wees om beperkinge en wanbalanse in spierkettings van atlete te bepaal. Indien hierdie probleme aangespreek word, behoort sportprestasie te verbeter.Maste