Validade do teste de arremesso de Medicine Ball lateral para estimativa da potência de membros superiores em lutadores

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the validity of the Side Medicine Ball Throw (S-MBT) for measuring upper trunk power in combat sports athletes (CSA). CSA demand diverse physical and physiological characteristics, including power as a performance factor. However, many available tests are expensive or focus solely on the lower body. The S-MBT proposes a simpler and more accessible alternative, using different weights of Medicine Balls and replicating the motor gestures of strikes and projections in CSA. An experimental, randomized, and descriptive study with a quantitative approach was conducted. Participants were combat sports practitioners, aged 18 to 40 years, with at least six months of experience in combat sports and no injuries or comorbidities that would compromise test performance. An initial meeting included anthropometric evaluation, followed by Medicine Ball Throw tests (3kg and 6kg) and Bench Press Throw (30% and 60% of body weight). Measures of mean propulsive velocity and maximum force intention were collected during S-MBT. The distances (in meters) for the 3kg and 6kg Medicine Ball Throws in seated and standing positions were: 3.634 ± 0.697; 2.502 ± 0.523; 5.754 ± 1.175; and 4.737 ± 1.029, respectively. In the Bench Press Throw test, mean propulsive velocity values and power were 1.224 ± 0.210 and 2412.284 ± 545.020 using 30% of body weight, and 0.758 ± 0.220 and 113.404 ± 223.842 using 60% of body weight. Based on the results obtained, it can be inferred that S-MBT was a useful test for evaluating upper body power in CSA athletes. A barrier was encountered due to mechanical variability in trunk rotation movement and anthropometric differences among individuals.