Efficacy of Warmup Using a Flexible Bar to Increase Countermovement Jump

Preparation of athletes to begin a competition or enter mid-competition with the ability to reach peak performance immediately may be partly dependent on the efficacy of the warmup protocol. Previous research on flexible barbells reported significant differences in muscle activation when compared to steel barbells. The manufacturers of handheld flexible bars with a combined weight of 3.63 kg claim that using them immediately before competition helps increase power and jump height. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of maximal jumping with handheld flexible bars on maximal jump parameters in Division-I American collegiate football players. Participants completed 10 warmup jumps with no weight, flexible barbells, or similarly weighted dumbbells and immediately completed a maximal countermovement jump. When comparing the effects of different high-velocity warmup (HVW) protocols, there were no differences in any jump parameters as measured by a portable force plate. Likewise, the use of flexible bars during the warmup did not result in enhanced muscle activity when executing a maximal jump in comparison to control conditions. Based on these results there is no evidence to support the use of flexible bars during a warmup just prior to entry into a competition to enhance jumping power.