Force-velocity relationship of leg extensors obtained from loaded and unloaded vertical jumps

Resent research has suggested that loaded multi-joint movements could reveal a linear force-velocity (F-V) relationship. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the F-V relationship both across different types of vertical jumps and across different F and V variables.

Ten healthy subjects performed maximum various vertical jumps that were either loaded or unloaded by constant external forces of up to 30 % of their body weight. Both the maximum and averaged F and V data were recorded.

The observed F-V relationships proved to be strong (median correlation coefficients ranged 0.78-0.93) and quasi-linear. Their F- and V-intercepts and the calculated maximum power (P) were highly reliable (0.85 < ICC < 0.98), while their concurrent validity with respect to their directly measured values was on average moderate-to-large. The obtained F-V relationships also revealed that (1) the assessment of maximum F and P could be somewhat more reliable and valid than the assessment of maximum V, (2) natural countermovement jumps should be employed rather than the jumps performed from a fixed squat position, while (3) both maximum and averaged F and V variables could be used despite revealing markedly different regression parameters.

The data generally reveal a reliable, valid, strong and quasi-linear F-V relationship across variety of vertical jumps and the recorded F and V variables. Therefore, we conclude that the loaded vertical jumps could be developed into a routine method for testing the force, velocity, and power generating capacity of leg extensors.