Applying the Block Report in Practice
The block report is a simple report that can be used to quickly access whether an individual has improved between two dates. It resembles a table in...
Some metrics are calculations of two metrics, which often leaves the practitioner asking the question ─ which one of the two metrics changed to influence the calculated metric value? The paper titled, Ratio Data: Understanding Pitfalls and Knowing When to Standardise by Chris Bishop (2023) highlights the considerations when accessing ratio data.
Impulse ratio is a good example of this, as it is calculated by dividing propulsive net impulse (PNI) by braking net impulse (BNI). This leaves the practitioner with a calculated value that gives insight into the movement strategy for that specific countermovement jump (i.e. is this athlete more of a braking or propulsive dominant jumper), but also leads the practitioner to look deeper into the influences of specific metrics for a given jump.
The ratio report solves this, and allows you to select two metrics of the same unit, and create a custom ratio to track changes overtime.
Just like any of our other reports, you have the ability to save the custom ratio (combination of two metrics) as a template for future use or to share with your staff.
Figure 2: PDF Printable White Background Reports from the HD Cloud Software
🚀 Jump to ratio report suggestions at the bottom
DSI is calculated by dividing an output from an isometric strength assessment by an output from a jump assessment. Traditionally, this is peak force from the Isometric Mid Thigh Pull (IMTP) and peak force from the Countermovement Jump (CMJ) without Arm Swing. Most researchers and practitioners use the IMTP and CMJ, however one could also use the Isometric Back Squat or Belt Squat as the strength assessment, and CMJ with Arm Swing or Squat Jump as the jump assessment. It is important to note that if you opt to use a different test than what the research suggests, the ratio values will be different and thus you will not be able to use the typical DSI training suggestions of <0.60 = Ballistic Training / 0.61-0.79 = Concurrent / >0.80 = Strength Training. (watch a video by Dr. Paul Comfort on DSI, or listen to a podcast here on all things Isometric training).
Peak force in the CMJ will occur in one of three phases/locations - braking phase, propulsive phase, or the point at minimum displacement between the two phases. When the DSI is calculated on the HD Software, it will automatically find the peak force form one of these three locations and use that for the calculation (learn more on peak force location here).
Figure 3: Dynamic Strength Index report in the Hawkin Cloud App. On 12/8 there was a new Isometric test that was saved, thus the bar height increased and the ratio changed - represented as the yellow dot and line.
EUR is calculated by dividing the jump height from a CMJ by the jump height from a Squat Jump. This is historically used to give the coach insight into the stretch shortening cycle (SSC) capabilities of the athlete by comparing outputs from a test that is heavily SSC-dependent (e.g. CMJ), and one that is not so reliant on the SSC (e.g. SJ). For example, if an athlete has a CMJ jump height of 30 inches and SJ jump height of 25 inches they will have an EUR of 1.2 ─ considering the sport and position, this may be preferable. If the sport and position is reliant on generating force from a static position (i.e. swim start) then you would want to work on bringing up the SJ jump height value closer to that of the CMJ jump height value and getting the EUR value closer to 1.0 at competition time. (Read more on EUR here in this paper by McGuigan et. al, 2006).
There are limitations to this way of judging an athlete's SSC ability by this method alone, however it is relatively simple to complete and has ample research backing it. It is of our opinion that there are now better methods of judging an athlete's SSC ability, especially with the availability of force plates and the ability to dive into strategy metrics, driver metrics, and force-time curve shape characteristics.
Figure 4: EUR Report in the Hawkin Cloud App. The user selected a date range without a Squat Jump recorded before 4/26 on the left screen. On the right screen the user started the data range at 4/26 and the Squat Jump from 4/26 is carried on for the ratio until a new Squat Jump is recorded.
Figure 5: Report builder screen to start building a savable Template
It's important to first note that not all ratios will make sense for this report. Therefore, we have limited the ability to only make ratios that have the same units. You may use different test types in the ratio to generate the report, as long as the units are the same.
It is also generally best if you use the metric that you anticipate to be larger as the first metric when you are building your report.
Figure 6: Generally place the metric that is larger on top (2), and the metric that is smaller on bottom. This will give you a more presentable ratio value.
We sat down at Hawkin Dynamics and thought of potentially useful metric combinations. You can find these metric combinations below, along with insight into how you may use them.
CMJ Ratio Options
Each of of the examples below are for the countermovement jump (CMJ).
Phase Driver Changes
Phase Time Strategy Changes
Bilateral Asymmetry Strategy Changes
Single Leg Asymmetry Capacity Changes
Figure 7: Single Leg Ratio Reports, Jump Height and Countermovement Depth examples. Make sure to use tags if you want to visualize like this.
CMJ Rebound Ratio Picks
Isometric Ratio Picks
Figure 8: Force at 150ms and Peak Force ratio for the IMTP. A value of .66 means that 66% of peak force is occurring at the 150ms mark of the pull.
Squat Jump Ratio Picks
Need Help?
If you are looking for help setting up this report, contact techsupport@hawkindynamics.com
If you have specific questions about the ratio options above, contact drake@hawkindynamics.com
Figure 9: Image of the Ratio Report in the Hawkin Cloud App with a see-saw overlaid to represent the constant fluctuation in ratio metrics. It's best to look at ratio metrics over a period of time and with context of what is happening in the athlete's sport and training schedule.
The block report is a simple report that can be used to quickly access whether an individual has improved between two dates. It resembles a table in...