Performance indices selection for assessing anaerobic power during a 30 second vertical jump test

Aim. The aim of the present study was to assess the validity of jump height (h), absolute (VPOWERABS) and relative to body mass (VPOWER REL) performance indices when elicited of a modified 30 s Bosco vertical jump test VJT based on the absolute (WPOWERABS) and relative (WPOWERREL) power values of a 30 s Wingate test (WAnT). Methods. Nineteen physical education students with mean ± SD age 21 ±3 y, body mass 73.8±7 kg and height 1.8±0.06 m performed a 30 s VJT on a force plate and a 30 s WAnT on a Monark cycle ergometer. Performance data were expressed in W and W.kg-1 of body mass for WPOWERABS and WPOWERREL; in cm, W and W.kg-1 for h, VPOWERABS and VPOWERREL, respectively. The performance indices' values were expressed as means and SDs of the 30 s duration of both tests, as well as in 4 time intervals of 7.5 s (0-7.5 s, 7.5-15 s, 15-22.5 s, and 22.5-30 s). Results. WPOWERABS and h were significantly (P<0.05) correlated in the 4 time intervals (0-7.5 s: r=0.51; 7.5-15 s: r=0.36; 15-22.5 s: r=0.39) and in the overall duration of the test (0-30 s: r=0.38). Significant correlation was also revealed between VPOWERABS and WPOWERABS, but only for the interval 0-7.5 s (r=0.48). Conclusion. A 30 s VJT is valid against a 30 s WAnT only when h is used as performance indices. The selection of the appropriate unit of measurement is important for assessing effort distribution in maximum effort tests of short duration.