Abstract
The ability to analyse countermovement jump (CMJ) waveform data using statistical methods, like principal component analysis, can provide additional information regarding the different phases of the CMJ, compared to jump height or peak power alone. The aim of this study was to investigate the between-sport force-time curve differences in the CMJ. Eighteen high level golfers (male = 10, female = 8) and eighteen high level surfers (male = 10, female = 8) performed three separate countermovement jumps on a force platform. Time series of data from the force platform was normalized to body weight and each repetition was then normalized to 0–100 percent. Principal component analyses (PCA) were performed on force waveforms and the first six PCs explained 35% of the variance in force parameters. The main features of the movement cycles were characterized by magnitude (PC1 and PC5), waveform (PC2 and PC4), and phase shift features (PC3). Surf athletes differ in their CMJ technique and show a greater negative centre of mass displacement when compared to golfers (PC1), although these differences are not necessarily associated with greater jump height. Principal component 5 demonstrated the largest correlation with jump height (R2 = 0.52). Further studies are recommended in this area, to reveal which features of the CMJ that relate to jumping performance, and sport specific adaptations.
Highlights
In sports with elements of lower body explosive movements, strength and power are often considered key factors for sports performance
The main features of movement cycles were characterized by magnitude (PC1 and PC5), waveform (PC2 and PC4), and the movement cycles wereEach characterized by magnitude and waveform (PC2 and PC4), phase shift features (PC3)
Golf athletes and surf athletes differ in their countermovement jump (CMJ) technique, as shown by the different waveform feature captured by the Principal component analyses (PCA), these differences are not necessarily associated to jump height
Summary
In sports with elements of lower body explosive movements, strength and power are often considered key factors for sports performance. The athletes use their lower body strength and power to perform various manoeuvres and gain higher scores whilst wave riding. Few studies have been carried out on surfing athletes there is some support to suggest that lower body power has an impact on the level of performance [1,2]. The impact of strength and power on golf performance is relatively well documented as cross-sectional studies have shown statistically significant relationships with strength [3], power [4,5,6], and clubhead speed (CHS). The countermovement jump (CMJ) is a common method to assess lower body neuromuscular function among surfers [1,2] and golfers [4,5,6,9,10] and has been associated with performance in both sports [10]
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