The Biomechanical Effects of Depth Jump Training on The Vertical Jump

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to gain more insight into the mechanisms of depth jump training in vertical jump performance. Sixteen subjects were assigned to one of 2 groups. One group was trained with a fixed dropping height and another group was trained with a varied dropping height twice a week for 6 weeks. The subjects executed three maximal vertical jumps at the beginning, at the midpoint and after the training period. While subjects executed the maximal vertical jump with their arms across the chest on a force platform, a videocamera was used to record the activity. Simultaneously, the ground reaction force was recorded. A link segment model was used to compute the peak joint moment, power, and work produced at each joint. The vertical jump height was increased after 6 weeks of training on both training groups. No difference was found between the two training groups. In the further analysis of biomechanical variables, no difference in peak joint moment, power or work done by the hip and knee was found. However, after 6 weeks of training, an increase was found in the peak muscle power and work done at the ankle joint on both training groups.