ACCURACY OF PREDICTED PEAK FORCES DURING THE POWER DROP EXERCISE

Abstract

The utility of a new method for estimating upper body plyometric forces was demonstrated and results compared with recent training load equations. Videography and force platform data were collected for subjects performing power drop exercises with drop heights between 49 and 124 cm. Within-subject analyses demonstrated that vertical forces in power drop exercises were not correlated or were weakly (r < 0.71) associated with drop height. Other factors like technique and medicine ball properties determine the majority of the variance in peak forces in the power drop exercise. The data supported the utility of the method but did not support the validity of the Ebben et al. (1999) training load equations.