Incorporating Training Prescription from a Countermovement Jump-based Algorithm Does Not Improve Jump Performance

Abstract

Countermovement jump (CMJ) testing is a commonly used, effective tool for monitoring performance, neuromuscular fatigue, and injury risk. Force plates can provide information about jump performance including power, explosiveness, and interlimb asymmetry. Embedded human performance (HP) teams focus on preparing military personnel to meet the physical demands of their occupations, and with the implementation of CMJ monitoring; they can work towards eliminating the risk of musculoskeletal injuries (MSKI). The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) Determine whether the intervention exercises prescribed by Sparta Science training program changed an individual’s jump performance over a 10-week training program and 2) Evaluate how Sparta strength training recommendations impacted other performance metrics over the training program. This study included 31 active-duty Air Force personnel who completed a 10-week, concurrent training program with pre- and post-testing. Sparta jump height increased by 2.11 centimeters on average. Lower body anaerobic capacity improved as evidenced by significant lower body wingate relative (W/kg) (p=0.022) and absolute power (W) (p=0.045) increases from pre- to post-testing. The results of this study indicated that practitioners are not likely to achieve optimal results for either injury risk or jump performance by following Sparta’s training suggestions. Instead, these results indicate that the appropriate training program recommendations include focus on the specific needs of an individual, to include strength, power, and force-developing exercises to elicit optimal jump and performance metric outcomes.