COMPARISON OF BALLISTIC AND NON-BALLISTIC LOWER-BODY RESISTANCE EXERCISE PERFORMANCE. DETERMINING THE POSITIVE LIFTING PHASE

Abstract

This study compared differences between ballistic jump squat (B) and non-ballistic back squat (NB) exercise. Vertical ground reaction force (GRF) and barbell kinematics were recorded during B and NB performance with 45% of one repetition maximum, and force, velocity and power averaged over positive lifting phases using traditional peak barbell displacement and positive impulse methods. No significant differences were found between B and NB mean force, velocity, power or relative acceleration duration, challenging common perceptions of B superiority for power development. The positive impulse method significantly increased mean values, and the end of the phase was identifiable from peak velocity, which is common to both B and NB resistance exercise.