Abstract

The Relationship between Isometric Strength and Body Mass to Dynamic Performance in Youth Athletes. Nineteen youth athletes were assessed to evaluate correlations between isometric strength, total body weight and dynamic sports performance assessments. Athletes total body mass, lean body mass and percentage body fat were measured. Athletes performed isometric and dynamic performance assessments which were investigated for correlations to total body mass, lean body mass and percent body fat. Relative strength ratios were developed and compared to each of the dynamic performance assessments. Relative Strength Ratios (RSR) were found to correlate to dynamic sports assessments. The primary finding of this investigation suggests that relative strength ratios affect performance as athletes with RSR_med (1.5-2.0) to RSR_high (2.0+) performed better at dynamic assessments than those with RSR_low (<1.5). The secondary finding of this investigation suggests that thresholds do exist for RSR when compared to dynamic sports assessments. Assessing athletes via relative strength ratios considering isometric force production and total body mass with respect to lean body mass and percent body fat may provide additional insight into training programming and body composition modifications to increase dynamic sports performance.