Jumping

Leg power is an important characteristic for soccer, and jump tests can measure this capacity. Limited research has analyzed relationships between jumping and soccer-specific field test performance in collegiate male players. Nineteen Division I players completed tests of: leg power (vertical jump (VJ), standing broad jump (SBJ), left-and right-leg triple hop (TH)); linear (30 m sprint; 0–5 m, 5–10 m, 0–10, 0–30 m intervals) and change-of-direction (505) speed; soccer-specific fitness (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2); and 7 × 30-m sprints to measure repeated-sprint ability (RSA; total time (TT), performance decrement (PD)). Pearson's correlations (r) determined jump and field test relationships; stepwise regression ascertained jump predictors of the tests (p < 0.05). All jumps correlated with the 0–5, 0–10, and 0–30 m sprint intervals (r = −0.65–−0.90). VJ, SBJ, and left-and right-leg TH correlated with RSA TT (r = −0.51–−0.59). Right-leg TH predicted the 0–5 and 0–10 m intervals (R 2 = 0.55–0.81); the VJ predicted the 0–30 m interval and RSA TT (R 2 = 0.41–0.84). Between-leg TH asymmetry correlated with and predicted left-leg 505 and RSA PD (r = −0.68–0.62; R 2 = 0.39–0.46). Improvements in jumping ability could contribute to faster speed and RSA performance in collegiate soccer players.

This study investigated relationships between dynamic stability and multidirectional jumping. A modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT), incorporating unilateral lower-body reaching in posteromedial, medial, and anteromedial directions, assessed dynamic stability. Unilateral vertical (VJ), standing broad (SBJ) and lateral jumps (LJ) assessed leg power. VJ power and relative SBJ and LJ distances were calculated. Thirty-two team sport athletes completed the mSEBT when each leg was used for stance, and left- and right-leg VJ, SBJ, and LJ. Correlations were drawn between data recorded from each leg when used for mSEBT stance and for each jump. Participants were dichotomized into better and lesser dynamic stability groups according to the sum of excursions for each leg. A one-way ANOVA determined mSEBT and jump differences (p < 0.05). The left-leg posteromedial and medial excursions correlated with VJ power; the medial excursion correlated with the LJ. The right-leg posteromedial excursion correlated with the SBJ; the anteromedial excursion correlated with the SBJ, and relative SBJ and LJ (r = 0.35-0.45). There were no differences in unilateral jumping between the better and lesser groups. Although there is some relationship with dynamic stability, this study further highlighted the complex interaction between the physical and technical characteristics of multidirectional jumping.

High intensity, near maximal exercise is a conditioning activity which can cause neural hyper-stimulation and lead to acute enhanced power production known as post-activation potentiation (PAP). Investigations need to be conducted to better understand the duration and intensity of the conditioning activity and subsequent effects on the fatigue-potentiation relationship. Purpose: To investigate the effect of 30 seconds of continuous vertical jumping while wearing a vest loaded with 30% of body weight on power output as measured with a maximal vertical jump (VJ). Methods: 14 volunteers (8 weight trained males [23.0+2.9 yrs, 79.8+13.8 kg, 179.9+8.6 cm] and 6 weight trained females [23.0+2.9 yrs, 69.9+13.3 kg, 171.6+7.0 cm]) participated in the study. Pre-testing consisted of each participant performing 3 VJs. The highest VJ was recorded as baseline. A weighted vest was then loaded equaling 30% of the individual's body weight; while wearing the weighted vest, participants performed 30 seconds of continuous VJs. Immediately after jumping participants were seated in a chair for 3 minutes; at 3 minutes, they performed a maximal VJ without the weighted vest in the same manner as done during pre-testing. Two additional VJs were repeated at 4 and 5 minutes post weighted jumping. A mixed design ANOVA with repeated measures was performed. Results: Results showed main effects for each of the independent variables tested, gender and jump. The posttest values at all 3 intervals for both males and females were significantly different from the pretest scores (F [3, 36] = 21.74, p < 0.05). Post hoc analysis indicated that the pretest VJ scores (M = 280.1±18.6 cm) decreased significantly at the 3 minute interval (M = 278.1±18.3 cm), followed by a significant increase in height at the 4 minute interval (M = 281.1±18.7 cm), and another increase at the 5 minute interval (M = 283.0±19.2 cm). Males jumped significantly higher than the females across all trials (p<0.05), however there was no significant difference between male and female VJ gain scores between pre-PAP VJ and 3, 4 and 5 minute post weighted exercise VJ. Conclusion: Results suggest that 30 seconds of weighted VJs causes fatigue which decreases VJ at 3 minutes post exercise. However, a PAP effect was seen at 4 and 5 minutes post weighted exercise significantly increasing VJ above pre testing. From a practical perspective, coaches must be aware of the complex nature of the fatigue-potentiation relationship when attempting to elicit a PAP effect in the individual athlete.