Abstract

Strength asymmetry can be detrimental to athlete performance and may lead to injury. The countermovement jump (CMJ) can be used to measure strength asymmetry via shear force production. The reliability of parameters and effects of asymmetry and shear force production on vertical CMJ performance were evaluated in a study with 15 university-level sprint and high jump athletes ( m = 11, f = 4). The athletes performed three CMJs on two occasions, separated by 1 week. Tri-axial ground reaction force (GRF) was recorded using two force platforms embedded within a bespoke weight training area. Key performance metrics were calculated in real-time describing total CMJ performance, asymmetry and shear force production. Changes in the means and coefficients of variation (CV) were used to express reliability. Twenty-six parameters from the Total analysis and 21 Asymmetry analysis parameters showed a CV lower than 10%. Temporal and kinetic variables describing Asymmetry analysis highlight a lower CV compared with equivalent parameters derived from Total analysis. Shear parameters show high levels of CV compared with Total analysis and Asymmetry analysis. The measures of asymmetry calculated using methods described in this work were shown to be reliable for monitoring CMJ performance. No significant negative relationships were found between measures of asymmetry or shear force and traditional performance metrics in the CMJ (e.g. jump height, specific peak power and peak force). Further work is required to identify the potential of reducing asymmetry on CMJ performance.

Highlights

  • The countermovement jump (CMJ) test has been used extensively for performance monitoring in athletics

  • The primary aim of this study was to quantify the reliability of a number of parameters which represent bilateral asymmetry and shear force production in the CMJ

  • Twenty-six parameters from the Total analysis had a coefficient of variation (CV) lower than 10%, compared with 21 of the Asymmetric parameters

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Summary

Introduction

The countermovement jump (CMJ) test has been used extensively for performance monitoring in athletics. The two methods used to assess asymmetry in plyometric exercises can be classified as unilateral and bilateral. During a unilateral (single-leg) test, the athlete performs a vertical jump using one leg.[21,22] This is repeated for each leg, allowing differences to be compared. The athlete performs a bilateral (two-leg) vertical jump, with one leg standing on each platform.[11,23] The orientations of the x-, y- and z-axes from such force plate measurements are shown, along with typical force traces for the respective axes during the take-off phase of a CMJ. Outputs from each force plate are compared to assess asymmetries

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