The Effectiveness of Half- vs. Parallel-Squat Countermovement Jump Training on Power Indices in Collegiate Swimmers

Abstract

0398 Plyometric training is often recommended for athletes involved in sports requiring power. The half- and parallel squat positions are commonly used in plyometric jump training, but the effectiveness of countermovement jumps for enhancing explosive power from different joint angles and ranges of motion is unclear. PURPOSE: Our purpose was to determine the effectiveness of half-versus parallel-squat countermovement jump training on power indices in national champion collegiate swimmers. METHODS: Nineteen members of the Auburn University swim team (men: n = 10, height = 187.4 ± 5.0 cm, weight = 83.5 ± 9.0 kg), (women: n = 9, height = 171.5 ± 5.0 cm, weight = 65.4 ± 6.8 kg) were random1y assigned to countermovement jump training groups [(Half-squat: 45o-squat jumps, n = 10)(Parallel-Squat: 90o-squat jumps, n = 9)] and underwent 9 weeks of countermovement jump training (4 sets of 10 jumps, 3dy/wk) as part of their land-based physical conditioning and regular pre-season swim training. All swimmers were measured for horizontal and verticle jump efforts and peak power during a 30-sec Wingate cycle ergometer test, at baseline, 3 and 9 weeks of pre-season training. Differences in power indices were determined using 2 (group) × 3 (time) ANOVAs, repeated for time. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between groups. Horizontal jump distance significantly increased from baseline (220.6 ± 29.4 cm) to 3-week (229.2 + 28.6 cm) and 9-week (234.0 + 27.6 cm) testing (p <0.05). Vertical jump height increased from 50.5 ± 8.4 cm at baseline to 54.4 ± 9.0 cm and 54.6 ± 8.9 cm at 3 and 9 weeks of training; however, the 4.1 cm increase in verticle jump was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Peak power (watts/kg), as measured on the 30-sec Wingate test was not significantly different across time. CONCLUSIONS: Half-squat countermovement jump training is just as effective as parallel-squat jump training for improving explosive power in collegiate swimmers during pre-season training.