Relationships between jumping height and power, force and velocity during one-legged vertical jumps

Abstract

[Purpose] To determine the deficit in one-legged vertical jumping ability and to clarify the relationships between maximum jumping height and maximum power, force and velocity during one-legged vertical jumps after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) compared with healthy subjects. [Subjects] Twenty-five healthy subjects (10 males and 15 females) and 32 ACL-R patients (18 males and 14 females) participated in this study. [Methods] The isokinetic quadriceps femoris strength and one-legged vertical jumping ability evaluated by the height, power, force and velocity were measured in all subjects. [Results] The maximum height of the one-legged vertical jumps was only significantly correlated with the maximum force in the healthy subjects (p < 0.05). In contrast, for the involved and uninvolved legs in the ACL-R patients, the maximum jumping height was significantly correlated with the maximum power, force and velocity during one-legged vertical jumps (p < 0.05). [Conclusions] These findings suggest the importance of a knee strategy during one-legged vertical jumps for rehabilitation after ACL-R. Assessment of the jumping ability after ACL-R may be determined by the maximum power instead of the maximum jumping height.