Vertical Jump Performance and Selected Physiological Characteristics of Women

Fifty healthy university women participated in a study measuring the association between two countermovement vertical jumps and a variety of structural and functional musculoskeletal variables. A squat incorporating “restricted” upper body motions served as the countermovement preceding the first style of jumping, while the second jumping style involved a depth jump with unrestricted upper body motions. Also, nine functional measurements for each of six isokinetic squat speeds ranging from 25 to 100° · s−1 were obtained. The squat exercises were modifications of previously reported protocols, therefore the reliabilities of all 54 measurements were assessed prior to their use as potential factors associated with jumping ability. Reliability coefficients ranged from very high to moderate, except for rise time at 180° · s−1 and peak hold time at 25° · s−1 being low. All force and power variables were significantly correlated with jumping performance. The highest correlations occurred with peak power at 70 and 85° · s−1 and average-force-to-body-weight ratio at 85° · s−1. No significant correlation was found between jumping performance and % body fat.