EFFECTS OF EXTERNAL LOADING ON POWER OUTPUT DURING VERTICAL JUMPS: A COMPARISON BETWEEN WATER POLO AND VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare results of the effects of external loading on power output during vertical jumps performed on a force platform by twelve male water polo athletes and ten female volleyball players. 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 results showed no significant differences in peak power output between the different loading conditions for volleyball athletes, but a significant difference between 0% and 10% loading conditions for water polo athletes. This study suggests that for both groups the load that generates maximum power output is body weight.