Relationship Between Countermovement Jump Power and Kick Start Biomechanics in Elite Swimmers
Abstract
The counter movement jump (CMJ) is a commonly used test to assess lower body power. It has been shown carryover to grab and track start performances in swimming despite the fact the CMJ is performed vertically and starts are performed horizontally. Kick starts use an adjustable inclined footrest. It is unknown if CMJ is associated with kick start biomechanics. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between CMJ and kick start performance. Fourteen elite swimmers (males, 9; females, 5; age, 21.3 ± 1.7 yrs; height, 1.79 ± 0.08 m; mass, 77.1 ± 10.7 kg) participated. CMJ height was obtained using a Vertec device. CMJ peak power was calculated using a Harman formula. Participants performed 3 kick starts while being filmed by two 120Hz cameras. Reaction time (RT), block time (BT), flight time (FT), flight distance (FD), underwater time (UWT), and time to the 15 m mark were derived using Dartfish motion analysis software. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to determine associations between the variables, p<.05. Mean CMJ height and power were 0.58±0.08 m and 8190.82±752.81 W, respectively. Mean RT=0.17±0.04 sec, BT=0.70±0.05 sec, FT=0.31±0.08 sec, FD=2.39±0.23 m, UWT=4.00±.89, and time to the 15 m was 6.78±0.47 sec. CMJ height and peak power were positively and strongly associated with FD, r=.697, p=.006 and r=.706, p=.005, respectively. Swimmers with better CMJ performance had longer FD during the start. Use of the CMJ for lower body power assessment appears meaningful for swimmers since it relates positively to a kick start component.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Monique Mokha
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Shermany Library
Start Date
4-5-2019 1:00 PM
End Date
4-5-2019 5:00 PM
Relationship Between Countermovement Jump Power and Kick Start Biomechanics in Elite Swimmers
Alvin Shermany Library
The counter movement jump (CMJ) is a commonly used test to assess lower body power. It has been shown carryover to grab and track start performances in swimming despite the fact the CMJ is performed vertically and starts are performed horizontally. Kick starts use an adjustable inclined footrest. It is unknown if CMJ is associated with kick start biomechanics. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between CMJ and kick start performance. Fourteen elite swimmers (males, 9; females, 5; age, 21.3 ± 1.7 yrs; height, 1.79 ± 0.08 m; mass, 77.1 ± 10.7 kg) participated. CMJ height was obtained using a Vertec device. CMJ peak power was calculated using a Harman formula. Participants performed 3 kick starts while being filmed by two 120Hz cameras. Reaction time (RT), block time (BT), flight time (FT), flight distance (FD), underwater time (UWT), and time to the 15 m mark were derived using Dartfish motion analysis software. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to determine associations between the variables, p<.05. Mean CMJ height and power were 0.58±0.08 m and 8190.82±752.81 W, respectively. Mean RT=0.17±0.04 sec, BT=0.70±0.05 sec, FT=0.31±0.08 sec, FD=2.39±0.23 m, UWT=4.00±.89, and time to the 15 m was 6.78±0.47 sec. CMJ height and peak power were positively and strongly associated with FD, r=.697, p=.006 and r=.706, p=.005, respectively. Swimmers with better CMJ performance had longer FD during the start. Use of the CMJ for lower body power assessment appears meaningful for swimmers since it relates positively to a kick start component.
