Effects of progressive depth jumping on vertical jump performance

Abstract

The purpose of present study was to investigate the effects of progressive depth jumping on vertical jump performance of male athletes. Purposively selected 80 volunteer male athletes randomly assigned to vertical depth jump training, horizontal depth jump training , combination of both and control group. Experimental groups trained twice weekly for 10 weeks, performing 6 sets of 10 repetitions per session. Dropping height was progressed from 20 to 40 centimeters according to step method. Vertical jump was measured before and after 10 weeks. Analysis of covariance was applied to compare scores. A pair-wise comparison was done by using the Scheffe’s post-hoc test at 0.05 level of confidence. The results showed that three training groups improved significantly; vertical group improved significantly as compared to horizontal group. However, no significant difference existed between vertical and combination group; horizontal and combination group. In conclusion, progressive depth jumping is effective but induces specific adaptations.

Key words:

plyometrics, vertical depth jump, horizontal depth jump, step progression