Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Relationships Between Vertical Jump Metrics and Sprint Performance, and Qualities that Distinguish Between Faster and Slower Sprinters

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between vertical jump metrics and phases during a 60 m sprint. The variances in strength qualities between sprinters of different ability levels were also compared.

Methods

Eighteen young male elite sprinters (age: 18.1 ± 1.3 years; stature: 1.72 ± 0.07 m; body mass: 66.3 ± 6.2 kg) were assessed for squat (SJ), countermovement (CMJ), drop (DJ), and standing long jumps, a maximal load back-squat, and a 60-m sprint from a block-start. The relationships between sprint performances with all variables were analysed using correlation and multiple regression while discriminative parameters between fast (100 m time: ~ 10.50 s) and slow (~ 11.00 s) sprint groups were assessed using independent t-tests.

Results

Higher associations existed between vertical jumps and longer sprint distances, especially between SJ height and relative peak power with 10 m (r = − 0.47 and − 0.47, respectively), 30 m (− 0.71 and − 0.74), 60 m (− 0.76 and − 0.81), 10–30 m (− 0.80 and − 0.86), and 30–60 m (− 0.78 and − 0.84) sprint distances. Concurrently, variables such as relative maximal-strength, relative SJ parameters (height, peak force, and peak power), relative CMJ peak power, and reactive strength index (DJ from 35 cm height) had significant discriminative ability and correlations (P < 0.05) with sprint distances involving maximal velocity and flying-start. Additionally, a combination of SJ height and relative maximal-strength during back-squat accounted for 75% of the variance in 60 m sprint times.

Conclusions

Relative measures of multiple strength metrics may provide better insight regarding factors that enhance sprint performance. Adequate maximal-strength, high explosive power, and reactive strength seem necessary to improve sprint performance in young male elite sprinters.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

Available from the corresponding author, upon a reasonable request.

References

  1. Baker D, Nance S. The relation between running speed and measures of strength and power in professional rugby league players. J Strength Cond Res. 1999;13(3):230–5.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Barr MJ, Nolte VW. Which measure of drop jump performance best predicts sprinting speed? J Strength Cond Res. 2011;25(7):1976–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Bosco C, Luhtanen P, Komi PV. A simple method for measurement of mechanical power in jumping. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1983;50(2):273–82.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Coh M, Mackala K. Differences between elite and sub-elite sprinters in kinematic and dynamic determinations of countermovement jump and drop jump. J Strength Cond Res. 2013;27(11):3021–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Cohen J. Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. 2nd ed. Hillsdale: Lawrence Earlbaum Associates; 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Comfort P, Stewart A, Bloom L, Clarkson B. Relationships between strength, sprint, and jump performance in well-trained youth soccer players. J Strength Cond Res. 2014;28(1):173–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Cronin JB, Hansen KT. Strength and power predictors of sports speed. J Strength Cond Res. 2005;19(2):349–57.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Dobbs CW, Gill ND, Smart DJ, McGuigan MR. Relationship between vertical and horizontal jump variables and muscular performance in athletes. J Strength Cond Res. 2015;29(3):661–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Epley B. Poundage chart. Boyd Epley workout. Lincoln NE: Body Enterprises; 1985. p. 86.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Fleiss JL. The design and analysis of clinical experiments. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Haff GG, Nimphius S. Training principles for power. Strength Cond J. 2012;34:2–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Hennessy L, Kilty J. Relationship of the stretch-shortening cycle to sprint performance in trained female athletes. J Strength Cond Res. 2001;15(3):326–31.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Hopkins WB, Marshall SW, Batterham AM, Hanin J. Progressive statistics for studies in sports medicine and exercise science. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(1):3–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Hunter JP, Marshall RN, McNair PJ. Relationships between ground reaction force impulse and kinematics of sprint-running acceleration. J Appl Biomec. 2005;21(1):31–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Kale M, Asci A, Bayrak C, Acikada C. Relationships among jumping performances and sprint parameters during maximum speed phase in sprinters. J Strength Cond Res. 2009;23(8):2272–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Kariyama Y, Zushi K. Relationships between lower-limb joint kinetic parameters of sprint running and rebound jump during the support phases. J Phys Fitness Sports Med. 2016;5(2):187–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Krell JB, Stefanyshyn DJ. The relationship between extension of the metatarsophalangeal joint and sprint time for 100m Olympic athletes. J Sports Sci. 2006;24(2):175–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Lacour R. Physiological analysis of qualities required in sprinting. N Stud Athletics. 1996;11:59–62.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Loturco I, D’Angelo RA, Fernandes V, Gil S, Kobal R, Cal Abad CC, Kitamura K, Nakamura FY. Relationship between sprint ability and loaded/unloaded jump tests in elite sprinters. J Strength Cond Res. 2015;29(3):758–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Loturco I, Pereira LA, Cal Abad CC, D’Angelo RA, Fernandes V, Kitamura K, Kobal R, Nakamura FY. Vertical and horizontal jump tests are strongly associated with competitive performance in 100-m dash events. J Strength Cond Res. 2015;29(7):1966–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Loturco I, Kobal R, Kitamura K, Fernandes V, Moura N, Siqueira F, Cal Abad CC, Pereira LA. Predictive factors of elite sprint performance: influences of muscle mechanical properties and functional parameters. J Strength Cond Res. 2019;33(4):974–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Markstrom JL, Olsson CJ. Countermovement jump peak force relative to body weight and jump height as predictors for sprint running performances: (in)homogeneity of track and field athletes? J Strength Cond Res. 2013;27(4):944–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. McCurdy KW, Walker JL, Langford GA, Kutz MR, Guerrero JM, McMillan J. The relationship between kinematic determinants of jump and sprint performance in division i women soccer players. J Strength Cond Res. 2010;24(12):3200–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Nagahara R, Matsubayashi T, Matsuo A, Zushi K. Kinematics of transition during human accelerated sprinting. Biol Open. 2014;3(8):689–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Nesser TW, Latin RW, Berg K, Prentice E. Physiological determinants of 40-meter sprint performance in young male athletes. J Strength Cond Res. 1996;10(4):263–7.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Newton RU, Kraemer WJ, Hakkinen KWJ, Hakkinen K. Kinematics, kinetics and muscle activation during explosive upper body movements. J Appl Biomech. 1996;12(1):31–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Requena B, Garcia I, Requena F, de Villarreal ES, Cronin JB. Relationship between traditional and ballistic squat exercise with vertical jumping and maximal sprinting. J Strength Cond Res. 2011;25(8):2193–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Schmidtbleicher D. Training for power events. In: Komi PV, editor. Strength and power in sport. Boston: Blackwell Scientific; 1992. p. 381–95.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Smirniotou A, Katsikas C, Paradisis G, Argeitaki P, Zacharogiannis E, Tziortzis S. Strength-power parameters as predictors of sprinting performance. J Sports Med Phys Fit. 2008;48(4):447–54.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Stone MH, Moir G, Glaister M, Sanders R. How much strength is necessary? Phys Ther Sport. 2002;3(2):88–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Suchomel TJ, Nimphius S, Stone MH. The importance of muscular strength in athletic performance. Sports Med. 2016;46(10):1419–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Swinton PA, Lloyd R, Keogh JWL, Agouris I, Stewart AD. Regression models of sprint, vertical jump, and change of direction performance. J Strength Cond Res. 2014;28(7):1839–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Washif JA, Kok LY. The reactive bounding coefficient as a measure of horizontal reactive strength to evaluate stretch-shortening cycle performance in sprinters. J Hum Kinet. 2020;21(73):45–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Washif JA. Does whole-body vibration potentiate reactive strength performance in sprinters? J Aust Strength Cond. 2019;27(7):14–22.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Weyand PG, Sternlight DB, Bellizzi MJ, Wright S. Faster top running speeds are achieved with greater ground forces not more rapid leg movements. J Appl Physiol. 2000;89(5):1991–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Wild J, Bezodis NE, Blagrove R, Bezodis IA. Biomechanical comparison of accelerative and maximum velocity sprinting: specific strength training considerations. Prof Strength Cond. 2011;21:23–37.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Young W, McLean B, Ardagna J. Relationship between strength qualities and sprinting performance. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1995;35:13–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Foremost, the authors thank the athletes whose participation made this study possible, and coaching staff and colleagues for facilitating or helping with data collection. We gratefully thank Professor Dietmar Schmidtbleicher for his helpful advices and suggestions. This research was supported in part by a grant from the National Sports Institute of Malaysia. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding

Funded by the National Sports Institute of Malaysia.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. High-Performance Branch, Sports Performance Division, National Sports Institute of Malaysia, National Sports Complex, Bukit Jalil, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Jad Adrian Washif

  2. Department of Sport Science, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Lian-Yee Kok

Authors
  1. Jad Adrian Washif
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lian-Yee Kok
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

JAW conceived the ideas and design, acquisition of data, carried out the experiments and analysis, interpretation of data, drafted the manuscript, critical revision of the manuscript, and final quality check of the manuscript. L-YK carried out further analysis, interpretation of data, critical revision of the manuscript, and final quality check of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jad Adrian Washif.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

Approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of the National Sports Institute of Malaysia.

Consent to Participate

All participants consented (in written statement) to undertake all procedures related to this project.

Consent for Publication

Participants consented the publication of data (which are presented anonymously).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Washif, J.A., Kok, LY. Relationships Between Vertical Jump Metrics and Sprint Performance, and Qualities that Distinguish Between Faster and Slower Sprinters. J. of SCI. IN SPORT AND EXERCISE 4, 135–144 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-021-00122-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-021-00122-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation