FACTORS IN UPPER EXTREMITY LOADING IN THE POWER DROP EXERCISE

Abstract

This case study examined the factors that were related to peak vertical force applied to a medicine ball in an upper body plyometric exercise. Sagittal plane video and force platform data were collected for two male athletes performing 30 power drop exercises with a 5 kg medicine ball. Force on the medicine ball, net joint torques, and several technique variables were analyzed with partial correlations. Drop height was related to the impulse of the exercise, but was not uniquely associated with higher peak forces measured by video or the force platform because of intercorrelations between joint torques. Peak forces on the medicine ball were 44 to 69% of the peak vertical ground reaction forces (600 Hz) and were not uniquely associated with drop height.