Vertical jump performance in recreational runners with visual impairment: a cross-sectional study

Runners with visual impairment (VI) may show changes in jump technique due to momentary loss of spatial reference specifically related to the base of support on the ground and rapid postural adjustment. The vertical jump performance and the analysis of the technique can provide information about the neuromuscular characteristics of the runners with VI, motor control and training strategies.

Thus, the purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between vertical jump performance and lower limb joint angles in recreational runners with VI.

Eight recreational runners (age 33.9 ± 12.7 years and body mass 64.1 ± 13.6 kg) with VI (visual classification: 4 T1, 2 T2 and 2 T3) performed five consecutive squat jumps (SJ) and five consecutive countermovement jumps (CMJ) with 5 min of rest between them. The vertical jumps were recorded by one camera and the jump height and power were evaluated using accelerometer Myotest.

No difference was found between the SJ (16.8 ± 4.9 cm) and CMJ performances (13.6 ± 5.8 cm) (p = 0.056). Pearson's correlation test identified a strong and negative correlation between SJ height and internal knee angle (r = -0.712; p = 0.047), while no correlation between CMJ height and internal knee angle was found (r = -0.226; p = 0.591).

We concluded that recreational runners with VI reach higher jump heights in a deeper squat position during SJ.