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Can sport-specific training affect vertical jumping ability during puberty?
Konstantina Karatrantou1, Vassilis Gerodimos1, Vasileios Voutselas1
1Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece.
Biology of Sport
|October 19, 2019
Summary
Volleyball players show enhanced vertical jumping ability (VJ) by age 15 compared to basketball and soccer players. Sport-specific training impacts VJ development during puberty, with differences emerging in older adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Human Physiology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Vertical jumping ability (VJ) is crucial for team sports like volleyball, basketball, and soccer.
- Sport-specific training may influence VJ development during adolescent growth.
- Understanding these effects is key for optimizing training programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of sport-specific training (volleyball, basketball, soccer) on VJ and the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) in pubertal boys.
- To compare VJ and SSC development across different athletic groups and non-athletes during puberty.
Main Methods:
- 320 boys (12-15 years old) were divided into volleyball players (VP), basketball players (BP), soccer players (SP), and non-athletes (NA).
- VJ was assessed using squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) tests.
- The contribution of the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) was calculated.
Main Results:
- VJ (SJ and CMJ) was higher in VP vs. NA at 12 years old, and in all athletes vs. NA from 13-15 years old.
- At 15 years old, VP showed significantly higher SJ and CMJ than BP and SP.
- No significant differences in SSC were found across sports or age groups.
Conclusions:
- The age-related increase in VJ differs between athletes and non-athletes during puberty.
- Sport-specific training adaptations in VJ become evident by age 15, with volleyball players excelling.
- Early pubertal VJ development shows no significant differences between different sports.
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