EFFECTS OF EXTERNAL LOADING ON POWER OUTPUT DURING VERTICAL JUMP: A PILOT STUDY WITH WATER POLO GOAL KEEPERS.

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The purpose of this study was to describe preliminary results of the effects of external loading on power output during vertical jumps performed on a force platform by three elite water polo goal keepers (1 female and 2 male). Peak power output was calculated from time-force curves during vertical jumps with and without external additional loads corresponding to 0%, 5%, 10% and 15 % of their body weight. The jumps were performed from a squat position, without lower limb counter-movement or arm swings. The peak instantaneous power was reached at 0% additional load (body weight) by two of the athletes, and for the third, the peak instantaneous power was reached at 5% additional load. This study suggests that for water polo goal keepers, the load that generates maximum power output in dry land exercises is body weight, without any additional load.