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Is there a difference between active and less active children and adolescents in jump performance?
Michael Keiner1, Andre Sander, Klaus Wirth
1Institute of Sports Sciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. michaelkeiner@gmx.de
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
|September 8, 2012
Summary
Elite young soccer players demonstrate superior stretch and shortening cycle (SSC) performance compared to inactive peers. Many children and adolescents lack sports participation, correlating with lower physical activity levels and potentially impacting motor development.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Pediatric Exercise Physiology
- Motor Development
Background:
- Training and activity levels significantly influence motor development in children and adolescents.
- A notable proportion of young individuals do not engage in extracurricular sports activities.
- Sedentary lifestyles and elevated Body Mass Index (BMI) are prevalent concerns in this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of athletic training and activity levels on the stretch and shortening cycle (SSC) performance in children and adolescents.
- To compare the SSC capabilities between elite young athletes and their less active counterparts.
- To highlight the relationship between leisure-time physical inactivity and physical performance.
Main Methods:
- Performance assessment of the stretch and shortening cycle (SSC) using squat jump, countermovement jump, and drop jump tests.
- Data collection from 801 participants, divided into elite soccer players and a less active group.
- Activity level determination through a detailed questionnaire and body mass index (BMI) analysis.
Main Results:
- Soccer players exhibited significantly enhanced SSC performance across most measured variables (p < 0.05).
- Approximately 25% of students reported inactivity in leisure-time sports outside of school.
- A correlation was observed between inactivity, low training status, and reduced SSC performance in youth.
Conclusions:
- Elite youth soccer participation is strongly associated with superior stretch and shortening cycle (SSC) capabilities.
- Widespread physical inactivity among children and adolescents is linked to lower training levels and poorer motor performance.
- Interventions promoting sports participation are crucial for optimizing physical development and motor skills in youth.
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