Relationship Between Countermovement Jump Performance and Multijoint Isometric and Dynamic Tests of Strength

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the relationship between countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) performance and various methods used to assess isometric and dynamic multijoint strength. Twelve NCAA Division I-AA male football and track and field athletes (age, 19.83 +/- 1.40 years; height, 179.10 +/- 4.56 cm; mass, 90.08 +/- 14.81 kg; percentage of body fat, 11.85 +/- 5.47%) participated in 2 testing sessions. The first session involved 1 repetition maximum (1RM) (kg) testing in the squat and power clean. During the second session, peak force (N), relative peak force (N x kg(-1)), peak power (W), relative peak power (W x kg(-1)), peak velocity (m x s(-1)), and jump height (meters) in a CMJ, and peak force and rate of force development (RFD) (N x s(-1)) in a maximal isometric squat (ISO squat) and maximal isometric mid-thigh pull (ISO mid-thigh) were assessed. Significant correlations (P < or = 0.05) were found when comparing relative 1RMs (1RM/body mass), in both the squat and power clean, to relative CMJ peak power, CMJ peak velocity, and CMJ height. No significant correlations existed between the 4 measures of absolute strength, which did not account for body mass (squat 1RM, power clean 1RM, ISO squat peak force, and ISO mid-thigh peak force) when compared to CMJ peak velocity and CMJ height. In conclusion, multijoint dynamic tests of strength (squat 1RM and power clean 1RM), expressed relative to body mass, are most closely correlated with CMJ performance. These results suggest that increasing maximal strength relative to body mass can improve performance in explosive lower body movements. The squat and power clean, used in a concurrent strength and power training program, are recommended for optimizing lower body power.

Determinants of countermovement jump performance: a kinetic and kinematic analysis

“…The inclusion of peak power at the knee and ankle joints in the overall regression model supports previous claims that CMJ performance is positively associated with lower-limb power (Ashley & Weiss, 1994;Nuzzo et al, 2008;Sheppard et al, 2008;Vanezis & Lees, 2005). The work-energy-power relationship makes it inevitable that greater joint powers result in more positive work done and so greater total body kinetic energy and mass centre vertical velocities at take-off.…”

“…Research has shown positive relationships between lower-limb strength and power measures and CMJ performance (Ashley & Weiss, 1994;Nuzzo, McBride, Cormie, & McCaulley, 2008;Sheppard et al, 2008;Wisløff, Castagna, Helgerud, Jones, & Hoff, 2004). However, further research is needed to explain quantitatively the relative contributions of kinetic and kinematic variables to this movement.…”

Muscle mechanical properties of strength and endurance athletes and changes after one week of intensive training

“…The reliability scores found for CMJ are comparable with values found for maximal voluntary contractions (Raeder et al, 2016). Additionally, the CMJ performance is strongly correlated to maximal strength and power in multijoint exercises of the lower limbs (Nuzzo et al, 2008).…”

Performance Enhancement following a Strength and Injury Prevention Program: A 26-Week Individualized and Supervised Intervention in Adolescent Female Volleyball Players

“…Progression phase 2 consisted of 12 weeks of heavy resistance training, with two training sessions a week, focusing on maximum strength and performance mainly in the multiple-joint exercises. Multiple-joint exercises require rapid force production and have been widely used for strength and power training 20,33 . Because vertical jump capacity (a multiple-joint movement) is critical for success in volleyball, multiple-joint exercises were included in the present study, as well as ordinary explosive strength exercises, such as the barbell jump squat.…”

“…It has been suggested that tests using free weights reflect the functional strength in sports 20,33 . For example, maximum squat strength has been shown to have a strong relationship with vertical jump height 20 .…”