The Relationship between Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Jumps and Their Influence on Speed Abilities: Gender Consideration

Abstract

Purpose: Plyometric exercises, in the form of jumping, are extreme physical activities. The aim of the study was to determine how symmetrical-single versus asymmetrical-continued plyometric exercises differ between men and women and affect speed abilities. Methods: Twenty-two healthy females and forty-four males from different sports practices participated in the investigation. The countermovement jump (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ) of 40/60 cm box were performed on two independent and synchronized force platforms (Bilateral Tensiometric Platform S2P, Ljubljana, Slovenia). The measurement of a standing long jump (SLJ) and all continuous jumps: standing five jumps (SFJ), standing bounce triple jump (SBTJ), five double-leg jumps (FD-LJ), and a 10 m horizontal single leg jump (HSLJ-10mL/R) were performed using OptoJump–Next Microgate (OptoJump, Bolzano, Italy). Results: Statistically significant differences were noted in all jump kinematic and somatic parameters, in favor of the men. The correlations between values of height of symmetrical jumps (bilateral) and distance (SLJ) were stronger in women despite the shorter jumps than the men. When an alpha-level of 0.01 was set, this study demonstrated a stronger correlation between symmetrical-single and asymmetrical-continuous plyometrics exercises and sprints, both men and women. This relationship is due to their similar kinematic and dynamic structures with sprinting steps. Conclusions: The results showed a large dispersion of the relationship (p < 0.05) between jumps and sprints divided into 10, 20 and 30 m, both in men and women. Both types of exercises implemented as a plyometric training regime are an extremely important tool for sprint speed development.

Correlations between horizontal jump and sprint acceleration and maximal speed performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Given the high degree of heterogeneity, we had to conduct a qualitative analysis of the associations between the standing triple jump and sprint performance. Seven studies examined the associations between the standing triple jump distance and sprint time ( Habibi et al, 2010 ; Hudgins et al, 2013 ; Kale et al, 2009 ; Mackala et al, 2021 ; Maulder & Cronin, 2005 ; Maulder, Bradshaw & Keogh, 2006 ; Yanci et al, 2014 ).…”

“…Five studies evaluated acceleration performance ( Habibi et al, 2010 ; Mackala et al, 2021 ; Maulder & Cronin, 2005 ; Maulder, Bradshaw & Keogh, 2006 ; Yanci et al, 2014 ), while two assessed maximal speed performance ( Hudgins et al, 2013 ; Kale et al, 2009 ). In terms of acceleration, 5 m ( Yanci et al, 2014 ), 10 m ( Habibi et al, 2010 ; Mackala et al, 2021 ; Maulder, Bradshaw & Keogh, 2006 ; Yanci et al, 2014 ), 15 m ( Yanci et al, 2014 ), and 20 m ( Mackala et al, 2021 ; Maulder & Cronin, 2005 ), and 30 m ( Mackala et al, 2021 ) sprint time were evaluated in these studies. Notably, subjects included in these studies were sprinters and players from different sports backgrounds.…”

“…Therefore, there were small variations in the sample. Significant and very large negative correlations between the standing triple jump distance and 10 m sprint time were observed in elite sprinters ( Habibi et al, 2010 ) and in healthy males with different sports backgrounds ( Mackala et al, 2021 ). In contrast, no significant correlations were reported in track sprinters ( Maulder, Bradshaw & Keogh, 2006 ).…”

“…This finding is in line with a previous study conducted by Chaouachi et al (2009b) , the authors reported that a stronger association was observed between horizontal five jumping and sprint accerelation time ( r = − 0.55 ∼ − 0.70) compared to bilateral standing long jump ( r = − 0.38 ∼ − 0.45). Notably, six studies included in this review analyzed the associations of the sprint time with multiple jump, only one study assessed double-leg multiple jump test ( Mackala et al, 2021 ), other studies evaluated unilateral multiple-step jumps with foot changes ( Chaouachi et al, 2009a ; Chaouachi et al, 2009b ; Hennessy & Kilty, 2001 ; Mackala, Fostiak & Kowalski, 2015 ; Nesser et al, 1996 ; Washif & Kok, 2020 ; Yanci et al, 2014 ), which also called the sprint bounding (a combination of sprinting and bounding) ( Young, 1992 ). The sprint bounding can produce larger horizontal propulsive forces ( Mero & Komi, 1994 ), and emphasize shorter contact time ( Mero & Komi, 1994 ), with a notable reduction of 0.6s in the fifth step compared to the first step ( Washif & Kok, 2020 ), which also occurred in the transition from acceleration to maximal speed.…”

Test-Retest Reliability of Unilateral Horizontal Drop Jump in Children

“…In contrast, insufficient attention is focused on defining parameters and the impact of the training program by applying a horizontal drop jump (HDJ), which has more similarities in its structure to activities dominated by horizontal movements (running, horizontal jumps). When observing correlation of vertical and horizontal jumps with sprint running over 10, 20 and 30 m, strongest correlation was determined in horizontal single leg jump, which is due to similar kinematic and dynamic structures with running gait [12]. Dobbs et al [13] compared the peak and average forces of top athletes in the performance of vertical (Peak force = 4915 N; Mean force = 2749 N) and HDJ (Peak force = 1163 N; Mean force = 528) and concluded that significantly less force is manifested in the performance of a unilateral horizontal drop jump (UHDJ).…”