CONTINUOUS WAVEFORM ANALYSIS OF FORCE, VELOCITY, AND POWER ADAPTATIONS TO A PERIODIZED PLYOMETRIC TRAINING PROGRAM

Abstract

This study assessed kinetic and temporal profile adaptations to the countermovement jump in response to a six week periodized plyometric training program. Twenty recreationally active women participated in the study (10 training, 10 control). Testing consisted of 3 maximal countermovement jumps on a force platform prior to and after six weeks of training. Key phases of the jumps were examined to assess differences in the profiles pre- and post-training using Analysis of Characterizing Phases. Periodized plyometric training significantly altered the profiles for force, velocity, and power (p < 0.05). A combination of greater eccentric velocity and power followed by increased concentric power enhanced the stretch shortening cycle and all three variables just before takeoff likely enhancing jump height.