The Role of Lower-Limb Muscle Volumes in Vertical Jump Performance in NCAA Division I Athletes

This study examined the relationship between lower extremity muscle volumes and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance in 207 (43 female, 164 male) National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I collegiate basketball, football, hockey, and soccer athletes. The primary aim was to determine which combination of lower extremity muscle volumes was most strongly associated with CMJ performance across a large subset of high-level college athletes.

Athletes underwent bilateral magnetic resonance imaging scans, and muscle volumes were quantified using machine-learning-based auto-segmentation. CMJ height (cm) and peak power (W/kg) were measured using dual force plates. Backward selection regression analyses determined muscle combinations that best explained variance in jump performance after adjusting for sex and sport.

Vastus lateralis muscle volume was related to both jump height (β = 0.36, P < 0.01) and peak power (β = 0.41, P < 0.01). In addition to the vastus lateralis, the jump height model retained rectus femoris, and the peak power model retained soleus, gluteus medius, adductor magnus, and biceps femoris long head. The differing muscle candidates in the two models likely reflect the distinct features of each CMJ metric: jump height reflects force over time while peak power reflects the rapid generation of force. Sport-specific differences emerged, with hockey and football athletes displaying greater jump heights and generating greater peak power when compared with basketball players. Male athletes outperformed females in both jump metrics.

These findings, derived from over 200 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletes, highlight the crucial role of the quadriceps in CMJ performance in high-level athletes. Strength and conditioning and rehabilitation programs may consider targeting quadriceps hypertrophy to improve vertical jump performance.