International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences Vol. 4(4), pp. 51 - 60
DOI: 10.13189/saj.2016.040401
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Effects of a Deeper Countermovement on Vertical Jump Biomechanics after Three Weeks of Familiarisation - Preliminary Findings


Wendy Balster 1,2, Cheryl Xue Er Lim 1, Pui Wah Kong 1,*
1 Physical Education and Sports Science Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
2 Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Twente, The Netherlands

ABSTRACT

This pilot study investigated whether a deeper countermovement was beneficial after a training period for neuromuscular adaptation. Nine male participants practised deep countermovement jumps (2 sets × 10 jumps) at home daily for three weeks. After training, the kinematics and ground reaction forces of normal and deep countermovement jumps were assessed. Adopting a deeper countermovement resulted in lower squat depth [normal: 0.38 (0.08) m, deep: 0.50 (0.09) m, p = .008] and greater range of motion at the ankle, knee and hip (all p < .05). Participants did not, however, improve in jump height [normal: 0.58 (0.08) m, deep: 0.59 (0.09) m, p = .314]. Squatting down deeper does not have necessary result in a higher jump height for all individuals. The lack of difference in jump height may be explained by insufficient training duration and intensity, and/or poor use of arm swing in the deep countermovement jumps. Future studies can confirm these preliminary results with more participants.

KEYWORDS
Neuromuscular Adaptation, Training, Impulse, Kinematics, Ground Reaction Force

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Wendy Balster , Cheryl Xue Er Lim , Pui Wah Kong , "Effects of a Deeper Countermovement on Vertical Jump Biomechanics after Three Weeks of Familiarisation - Preliminary Findings," International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 51 - 60, 2016. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2016.040401.

(b). APA Format:
Wendy Balster , Cheryl Xue Er Lim , Pui Wah Kong (2016). Effects of a Deeper Countermovement on Vertical Jump Biomechanics after Three Weeks of Familiarisation - Preliminary Findings. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 4(4), 51 - 60. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2016.040401.