DEVELOPMENT OF A CRITERION METHOD TO DETERMINE PEAK MECHANICAL POWER OUTPUT IN A COUNTERMOVEMENT JUMP

Abstract

The ability of players to repeatedly generate high levels of muscular power is a key determinant for success in many sports. Variations of the countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) have long been used as a means of measuring lower body power (LBP) (Fox and Mathews 1972). The criterion method of measuring of LBP is based on performance in a CMJ off a force platform (FP) (Hatze, 1999). Instantaneous power is determined from the product of the vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) and the velocity of the whole body centre of gravity, velocity being derived by the integration of the resultant VGRF. However, there seems to be no published standard protocol for the criterion method. The purpose of this study was to establish a standard protocol for the criterion method.