Effect of Warm-Up Condition on Drop-Jump Performance in Competitive Female Gymnasts

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of warm-up on drop jump performance in competitive female gymnasts. METHODS: Twenty-eight gymnasts (ages 9–18 years, competitive level 7–9) with an average of 7.8 ± 2.3 years experience participated in the study. Using a cross-over design subjects performed the following eight warm-up conditions followed by drop jump measurements. These conditions were control (no-warm-up), run (4 minute jog), stretch (6 static stretches held for 1 minute each), practice jumps (4 drop jumps), run + stretch, run + practice jumps, stretch + practice jumps, and run + stretch + practice jumps. After the warm-up, subjects performed three drop jumps off of a 30cm. mat onto a jump timing mat (Just Jump Systems, Probotics, Inc., Huntsville, Alabama). The mean of three jump heights (cm) was used to determine maximal force production. RESULTS: A repeated measures ANOVA indicated significant differences (p<.05) between the control and each of the experimental conditions: run (+6.43%), practice jumps (+8.27%), run + stretch (+8.45%), run + practice jumps (+13.35%), jump + practice jumps (+7.94%), and the run + stretch + practice jumps (+10.45%). No difference was found between the control and the stretch condition. Thus, the type of warm-up condition can significantly impact drop jump performance in competitive female gymnasts. Aside from stretching, each of the remaining experimental conditions produced an increase in performance with the run + practice jumps and the run + stretch + practice jumps yielding the best performances (37.54, 36.58cm, respectively). CONLUSION: The results of this study show that adding a run and practice jumps component to stretching is effective in maintaining maximal force production in female gymnasts. Because stretching is important for maintaining flexibility, run + stretch + practice jumps may serve as the optimal warm-up protocol based on the demands of this sport.Figure