The Effect of Height on Drop Jumps in Relation to Somatic Parameters and Landing Kinetics

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of drop height and selected somatic parameters on the landing kinetics of rebound jumps in force and power production, performed by male and female student athletes. Twenty female and forty male students with a sports background participated in the experiment (mean and standard deviation (± SD): age 20.28 ± 1.31 years, height 166.78 ± 5.29 cm, mass 62.23 ± 7.21 kg and 21.18 ± 1.29, 182.18 ± 6.43, 78.65 ± 7.09). Each participant performed three maximal jumps on two independent and synchronized force platforms (Bilateral Tensiometric Platform S2P) at each of the two assigned drop-jump heights (20-, and 40-, cm for female and 30-, and 60-, cm for the male special platform). Significant between-sex differences were observed in all variables of selected somatics, with men outperforming women. Statistically significant differences were noted in four parameters, between men and women, in both DJs from 20/40 and 30/60 cm. The height of the jump was 6 cm and 4 cm higher for men. A slightly higher statistical significance (p = 0.011) was demonstrated by the relative strength (% BW) generated by the left limb in both men and women. Only women showed a significant relationship between body mass, body height, and five parameters, dropping off of a 20 cm box. In men, only the left leg—relative maximal F (p =−0.45)—showed a relationship with body mass. There were no relationships between the above-mentioned dependencies in both groups, in jumps from a higher height: 40 cm and 60 cm. From a practical application, the DJ with lower 20/30 cm or higher 40/60 cm (women/men) respectively emphasizes either the force or power output via an increase in the velocity component of the rebound action or increased height of the DJ jump.

Neuromuscular Strategies in Stretch–Shortening Exercises with Increasing Drop Heights: The Role of Muscle Coactivation in Leg Stiffness and Power Propulsion

“…In the literature, gender-specific effects on kinetic, kinematic and motor control strategies during drop jump have been documented [ 15 , 42 , 53 , 54 ]. Recently, these differences have been attributed to a different feedforward control strategy; females show a deficit in the rate tension developed by hip extensors and consequently they have to activate the knee extensor earlier than males to counteract their deficit [ 55 ].…”

Kinetics of Depth Jumps Performed by Female and Male National Collegiate Athletics Association Basketball Athletes and Young Adults

“…Specifically, in the context of basketball, a sport known for notable disparities in lower-extremity injury rates between sexes [ 38 ], there is a need to establish comprehensive baseline data across a range of DJ drop heights, obtained through internally valid methods. It is widely accepted that post-pubescent females exhibit lower rebound jump heights (JH) and reactive strength index (RSI) scores compared to similar male sub-cohorts [ 18 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ]. These disparities are believed to be influenced by fundamental differences in anthropometrics, with males biologically predisposed to carry more muscle mass relative to total body mass.…”

Observation of children's age to predict maximum height

“…Adolescence will increase children's activity in sports. Children who practice sports are not required to have a proportional height (Mackala et al, 2020). On the other hand, some sports require height, such as volleyball and basketball (S. Shen et al, 2021).…”