Association Between Resistance Training Skill Performance and Fitness Characteristics in Adolescent Male Lacrosse Players.

PURPOSE: To examine the relation between Resistance Training Skills Battery (RTSB) composite scores and fitness measures and evaluate the association between individual RTSB assessment competency and maturity status in adolescent male lacrosse players. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-four male adolescent lacrosse players underwent anthropometric, movement competency, and fitness testing. Variables included maturity offset, RTSB scores, relative hand grip strength, relative seated medicine ball throw distance, absolute and relative isometric mid-thigh pull strength, vertical jump height, and total body fat percentage. Linear regression models were used to examine the association between RTSB composite scores and fitness characteristics by maturity status (years from peak height velocity [YPHV]). RESULTS: Multivariate models revealed that total body fat percentage explained 42% of the variance in RTSB scores in the 0.5 YPHV group, while vertical jump height was the only predictor of RTSB performance (44%) in the 2.5 YPHV group. Significant differences in the frequency of competence were found for the push-up, suspended row, and front support with chest touch (all, P < .001), with more mature athletes (1.5 and 2.5 YPHV) outperforming the least mature (0.5 YPHV) group. CONCLUSION: Muscular power and total body fat percentage were the most significant predictors of overall movement competency in adolescent lacrosse players.