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Role of the trunk during drop jumps on stable and unstable surfaces

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Abstract

Introduction

The present study investigated associations between trunk muscle strength, jump performance, and lower limb kinematics during drop jumps on stable and unstable surfaces. Next to this behavioral approach, correlations were also computed on a neuromuscular level between trunk and leg muscle activity during the same test conditions.

Methods

Twenty-nine healthy and physically active subjects (age 23 ± 3 years) were enrolled in this study. Peak isokinetic torque (PIT) of the trunk flexors and extensors was assessed separately on an isokinetic device. In addition, tests included drop jumps (DJ) on a force plate under stable and unstable (i.e., balance pad on top of the force plate) surfaces. Lower limb kinematics as well as electromyographic activity of selected trunk and leg muscles were analyzed.

Results

Significant positive but small correlations (0.50 ≤ r ≤ 0.66, p < 0.05) were detected between trunk extensor PIT and athletic performance measures (i.e., DJ height, DJ performance index), irrespective of surface condition. Further, significant negative but small correlation coefficients were examined between trunk extensor PIT and knee valgus motion under stable and unstable surface conditions (−0.48 ≤ r ≤ −0.45, p < 0.05). In addition, significant positive but small correlations (0.45 ≤ r ≤ 0.68, p < 0.05) were found between trunk and leg muscle activity, irrespective of surface condition.

Discussion

Behavioral and neuromuscular data from this study indicate that, irrespective of the surface condition (i.e., jumping on stable or unstable ground), the trunk plays a minor role for leg muscle performance/activity during DJ. This implies only limited effects of trunk muscle strengthening on jump performance in the stretch-shortening cycle.

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Abbreviations

EMG:

Electromyographic

GRF:

Ground reaction force

MAV:

Mean average voltage

PIT:

Peak isokinetic torque

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the University Outpatient Clinic of the University of Potsdam for allowing us to use the isokinetic dynamometer Con-Trex TP1000. No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this study.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Training and Movement Science, Cluster of Excellency in Cognition Sciences, University of Potsdam, Am Neuen Palais 10, Haus 12, 14469, Potsdam, Germany

    Olaf Prieske, Thomas Muehlbauer, Tom Krueger & Urs Granacher

  2. Institute for Sports and Sport Science, University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany

    Armin Kibele

  3. School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NF, Canada

    David G. Behm

Authors
  1. Olaf Prieske
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  2. Thomas Muehlbauer
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  3. Tom Krueger
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  4. Armin Kibele
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  5. David G. Behm
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  6. Urs Granacher
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Olaf Prieske.

Additional information

Communicated by Fausto Baldissera.

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Prieske, O., Muehlbauer, T., Krueger, T. et al. Role of the trunk during drop jumps on stable and unstable surfaces. Eur J Appl Physiol 115, 139–146 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-3004-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-3004-9

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