HAMSTRINGS COACTIVATION IN TRAINED LONG JUMPERS AND UNTRAINED INDIVIDUALS DURING DROP JUMPING

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the EMG activity patterns of the hamstrings during drop jumping from different heights in trained longer jumpers and controls. A group of trained long jumpers and a group of untrained subjects performed maximal drop jumps from 20cm, 40cm and 60 cm on a force platform. The surface EMG activity of the hamstrings was recorded using bipolar electrodes. The ground reaction forces (GRF) and 3-D kinematic data were also recorded. Two-way analysis of variance tests indicated non-significant differences in hamstring EMG amplitude between trained and untrained athletes. However, the long jumpers had significantly higher vertical GRF values and some kinematic differences compared to untrained individuals. The absence of higher hamstrings activity in the long jumpers may have been a contributing factor in their higher performance compared to controls. However, the same result indicates that this increased performance may be accompanied by a possible increased risk of knee joint instability.