Countermovement-Jump Test-Retest Reliability in Top-Level Para-Karate Athletes With Intellectual Impairment Using...

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Disability Sport

Background:

• Assessing explosive power is crucial for athletic performance in para-karate.
• The countermovement-jump (CMJ) test is a common measure of explosive power.
• Reliability data for CMJ in athletes with intellectual impairment (II) and Down syndrome (DS) is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the test-retest reliability of the CMJ test in elite para-karate athletes with II and DS.
• To compare the reliability of CMJ performance between athletes with II and DS.
• To inform best practices for using CMJ to assess explosive power in these populations.

Main Methods:

• Forty-four elite para-karate athletes (20 II, 24 DS) performed two CMJ tests with 1-minute rest.
• Kistler force plates were used to measure jump height, force index, and maximal rate of force development.
• Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to assess reliability.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found between test and retest for either group.
• Athletes with II demonstrated higher reliability (ICC range: .381-.953) compared to athletes with DS (ICC range: .029-.64).
• CMJ parameters showed high test-retest reliability for the II group.

Conclusions:

• The CMJ test is a highly reliable tool for assessing explosive power in elite para-karate athletes with intellectual impairment.
• Athletes with Down syndrome may require specific protocol modifications to improve CMJ test-retest reliability.
• Consistent data collection is essential for effective athlete monitoring and training program design.