EFFECT OF SQUAT DEPTH ON VERTICAL COUNTER-MOVEMENT JUMP HEIGHT – A PILOT INVESTIGATION

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a deep squat depth can improve vertical counter-movement jump height as predicted by theoretical models after a training period for neuromusclar adaptation. Five male subjects peformed a baseline test of vertical counter-movement jump performance using their normal and a deeper squat depths. Jump height was measured by the centre of mass displacement using a motion capture system. After that, they underwent three weeks of daily training (2 sets of 10 deep jumps) before returning for a post-test. Overall, subjects jumped higher in the deep compared with the normal positions on both days (pre-test: normal=52.8 cm, deep=55.5 cm; post-test: normal=55.8 cm, deep=58.3 cm). There were, however, large variations in individual response to training and squath depth. KEY WORDS: neuromuscular adaptation, training, deep squat. INTRODUCTION: The vertical jump height achieved in flight is determined by the impulse generated during the ground contact for standing jumps. Adopting a deeper squat position may potentially enhance jumping performance due to the longer time available for muscles to generate force. The influence of initial jump positions, mainly characterised by the degree o