Drop Landing as a Neuromuscular Fatigue Assessment: A Submaximal Alternative to Traditional Monitoring Methods

Rebelo, A, Comfort, P, Harry, JR, and Ripley, N. Drop landing as a neuromuscular fatigue assessment: A submaximal alternative to traditional monitoring methods. J Strength Cond Res 40(1): e17-e25, 2026-Neuromuscular fatigue monitoring is important for optimizing performance and reducing injury risk in elite athletes and tactical personnel. Traditional assessments-such as the countermovement jump (CMJ) or the isometric mid-thigh pull-require maximal effort, which may be inconsistent because of motivation, external constraints, or strategic load management. As an alternative, drop landing emphasizes eccentric control and can be performed submaximally, potentially reducing variability associated with effort while still providing insight into neuromuscular fatigue. The aim of this study was to examine whether fall height, landing phase duration, landing performance index, and average impact force can indicate post-training neuromuscular fatigue in elite volleyball players. Fourteen players (age: 29.18 ± 6.24 years; height: 1.95 ± 0.08 m; body mass: 95.20 ± 7.83 kg) performed drop landings at 70, 85, and 100% of their maximal CMJ height before and after an 82-minute volleyball training session. Test-retest reliability was strong (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.71-0.98, 95% CI; CV < 6%). Post-training, fall height decreased at 100% ( g = 0.31, p = 0.003), while landing phase duration increased at 100% ( g = 0.55, p = 0.015). Average impact force declined at all drop heights, with significant reductions at 85% ( g = 0.34, p = 0.004) and 100% ( g = 0.35, p = 0.042), suggesting a more softer landing strategy. Landing performance index decreased at 85% ( g = 0.40, p = 0.019) and 100% ( g = 0.58, p = 0.002). These results suggest fatigue-induced changes in force attenuation strategies. Future research should examine whether similar adaptations occur between the landing phase of a maximal CMJ and a 100% drop landing under fatigue.