Differences in external oblique muscle activation during a lacrosse shot with an angled offset head versus a non-angled offset head: a pilot study
Madeleine McNeer
Lacrosse, known as the fastest sport on two feet, has experienced many major technological advancements over recent years, including the introduction of an angled offset head. Angled offset heads serve to drive the ball into the “sweet spot”. With the ball in the sweet spot, a faster release from the head during passing and shooting occurs. An angled offset does this by affecting the whip in a stick, or how low the ball releases from the head, possibly impacting muscle activation. The purpose of this research is to examine differences in muscle activation about the external oblique when shooting with an offset head versus a non-offset head.Participants were injury-free NCAA Division II women’s lacrosse players between the ages of 18 and 24. After signing consent and health history forms, an electromyographic sensor was applied on the non-dominant side external oblique. Participants randomly chose the stick to start and then completed a three-minute wallball warm-up with either an angled offset head (Epoch Purpose 15°) or a non-angled offset head (Gait Air). After the warm-up, three warm up shots were completed for acclimation to the stick. Participants then completed five game-speed shots with their dominant hand using an overhand technique. After a five-minute rest period, participants completed another wallball warm-up using the stick not originally chosen, three warm-up shots and five game speed shots with the dominant hand. Data is currently being collected. It is expected that the angled offset head will result in increased external oblique muscle activation due to the higher amount of whip that angled offset heads have when shooting.
Madeleine McNeer is a senior exercise science major at Lander University. She is currently a member of the Lander women’s lacrosse team, and has been on the Gulf South Conference Honor Roll every year. Madeleine will graduate in Fall 2023 and plans on taking a gap semester before attending physical therapy school.