Relationships between variables describing vertical jump and sprint time

Abstract

Effectiveness when playing in team games depends on speed-strength (jumping) abilities. The manifestations of these abilities are usually measured using tests based on vertical jumps and sprinting. This raises the question as to whether relationships exist between variables that describe the vertical jump and running time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between jumping variables, namely the height of the countermovement jump (CMJ) with arm swing and relative peak muscle power and time of the 30m-sprint (in a straight line and with direction changes) in a group of 187 young athletes who practised team sports. Measurements used a force plate and Fusion Smart Speed System. Strong significant relationships were found between the variables of the CMJ and sprint time along individual sections of the straight line and direction changes of running. However, these relationships differed between subgroups in terms of age, sporting discipline and gender. The height of the CMJ with arm swing is likely to represent a universal variable that could be used to predict the level of motor abilities among young athletes.

Keywords: Countermovement jump; Motor abilities; Relative power, Sprint run; Young athletes