The relationship between strength, power and trampoline jump height

Abstract

Aim: Therefore the aim of this investigation was to identify the relationships between jump height on a trampoline and measure of lower limb strength and power. Method: Eight National level trampolinists were recruited for this study. Participants were required to perform three tests; ten straight jumps on a trampoline where the height and depth was recorded for each jump, three countermovement jumps (CMJ) and a one repetition maximum (1RM) leg press. The maximum depth, maximum height, average depth and average height were taken for the trampoline jumps, the best and average CMJ and the 1RM value were the variable used. Participants were also required to complete a questionnaire stating their trampoline history e.g. level of competition and years of trampoline experience, they were also required to state any strength and power training they performed within the average week. Pearson’s correlations, independent T-test and percentage difference of means were then performed to analyse the results of these testing variables. Results: Results showed a statistically significant relationship between 1RM leg press and the maximum height jumped on the trampoline (R=0.798, p<0.05, R²=0.637). Results also showed there to be no correlation between the CMJ and trampoline jump height (p>0.05). Conclusion: Results from this investigation would suggest that strength training should be prioritised over that of power training with regards to trampoline jump height. The contact time in the trampoline is greater than that spent generating force in the CMJ and is therefore closer to the measure of strength than the CMJ. The time for force application during a trampoline jump is more related to the strength portion of the force-velocity curve than that of the power and therefore this should be the priority.