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Vertical Jump and Power
Vertical Jump and Power
Anthony Darmiento, CSCS, Andrew J. Galpin, PhD, CSCS, NCSA-CPT, and Lee E. Brown, EdD, CSCS*D, FNSCA
Center for Sport Performance, Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, California
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34 VOLUME 34 | NUMBER 6 | DECEMBER 2012 Copyright Ó National Strength and Conditioning Association
indicate that AJ with a 10–30% reduction benefits associated with heavy strength than athletes with similar years of train-
of body weight acutely improves ascent training); even in the relatively weak ing history (24) or those who train for
variables (44) such as peak velocity, peak (14). However, this is not a reason to only maximal speed or strength (29).
acceleration, relative peak power, and VJ eliminate factors related to velocity Moreover, the temporal patterns of
height (1,11,27,38,46) while decreasing because maximal strength training force production are similar during
impact forces (1). Moreover, several alone may not improve VJ perfor- WLM (e.g., snatch and clean and jerk
weeks of AJ training improves peak mance in highly trained athletes or variations of each) and VJ and as
acceleration and velocity, relative peak (18,21). It is imperative when trying a result, weightlifters excel at jumping
power, and VJ height greater than BWJ to improve power that most strength (9,10).
(38) or RJ (1) in both elite athletic and training is done in an explosive manner The wide-ranging benefits of WLM
nonathletic populations (38). (18), emphasizing the attempt to per- are indisputable and documented more
In summary, BWJ, RJ, and AJ may all form each repetition at maximal veloc- thoroughly elsewhere (12,19,43). Yet,
improve VJ performance and several ity (8). Dualistic exercise programs some question their ability to improve
factors related to power production. instituting both high force and high jumping, especially when compared
Of these factors, velocity seems partic- velocity provide the most effective with BWJ. Tricoli et al. (45) reported
ularly responsive to jump training. stimulus for improving power produc- both WLM and BWJ improved perfor-
These collective studies do not suggest tion (41,42,48). Supplementing stan- mance. However, WLM were more
that one method is superior to dard resistance (e.g., weight plates) advantageous because their benefits
another, but rather that adaptations with variable resistance (e.g., elastic were broader and significantly greater
(force production, takeoff velocity, bands or chains) seems worthwhile in the 10-m sprint speed, VJ, and squat
peak power, etc.) are training method because it may facilitate improvements jump. These data indicate WLM are as
specific. Understanding the benefits in mean and peak velocity (7), rate of effective as BWJ at improving jumping
and consequences of each style enables force development (40), and peak force while simultaneously promoting sev-
coaches to integrate them in a manner and power (34). eral adaptations not seen with BWJ
that maximizes benefits and decreases Weightlifting is a competitive sport (e.g., strength).
the likelihood of adverse events. that contests both the snatch and the The paradox of weightlifting recog-
Coaches should prioritize the amount clean and jerk. Success in weightlifting nizes that the high complexity of
of time allocated to each in reflection necessitate simultaneous high force WLM enhance performance, yet dis-
of individual athlete goals and needs. and velocity (12,31,43). As a result, it courages some from participation.
is highly associated with power and The primary hesitation surrounding
NONJUMPING ACTIVITIES frequently mislabeled as “powerlifting.” the use of WLM is the perceived diffi-
Enhancing velocity is obviously desir- Weightlifters are the most powerful peo- culty of learning/teaching WLM (25).
able, yet force (strength) equally influ- ple on the planet (10,29) and they acti- Although a detailed discussion is beyond
ences power (42). Unsurprisingly, vate fast-twitch fibers to a greater extent the scope of this article, multiple authors
subjects who compliment power train- than non-weightlifters during submaxi- have addressed these concerns at length
ing with strength training display mal muscle contractions (e.g., the VJ) and provide numerous instructional re-
greater improvements in VJ height (16). They also produce more power sources and strategies to assist in the
and power output over a wide range
of external loads than subjects who Table 1
train for power alone (13). Another General concepts of weekly emphasis during a 12-week preparatory
study reported that in weak individuals, mesocycle for a moderately trained athlete with limited weightlifting
BWJ training improves sprinting and experience, interested in improving jumping ability
jumping to the same magnitude as
Block 1—work Block 2—strength Block 3—power
heavy strength training, although
capacity
BWJ training provided no improve-
ments in strength (14). Although these Wk 1: general Wk 5: strength and Wk 9: speed strength
findings seem to diminish the relation- preparation work capacity
ship between strength and jumping, Wk 2: general Wk 6: strength Wk 10: speed strength
they more accurately demonstrate the preparation
ability of heavy strength training to
render similar short-term improve- Wk 3: work capacity Wk 7: maximum Strength Wk 11: power
ments in velocity and power as BWJ. Wk 4: work capacity Wk 8: strength speed Wk 12: power
However, BWJ training will not likely
promote the same gains in maximal All weeks include some proportion of work capacity, strength, speed, and power training.
This table simply outlines the general weekly emphasis.
strength (nor the other long-term
Table 2
Twelve-week mesocycle, Monday and Thursday—movements
Block 1—WC (4 wk) Block 2—Strength (4 wk) Block 3—power (4 wk)
C&J 5 clean and jerk; GP 5 general preparation, P 5 power; S 5 speed; ST 5 strength; WC 5 work capacity.
Table 3
Twelve-week mesocycle, Tuesday and Saturday—movements
Block 1—WC (4 wk) Block 2—strength (4 wk) Block 3—power (4 wk)
C&J 5 clean and jerk; GP 5 general preparation, P 5 power; S 5 speed; ST 5 strength; WC 5 work capacity.
37
Vertical Jump and Power
learning of WLM (12,19,43). It should making them the most effective (equipment, time and/or space avail-
also be understood that as with the method of improving leg power. ability, etc.). The concepts are out-
learning of any task, a small number of lined in Tables 2 and 3 and a short
repetitions performed frequently and PART B: PRACTICAL APPLICATION. list of sample exercises for each con-
consistently throughout the year (during The following section outlines a sam- cept is provided in Table 4, and sam-
active recovery days or dynamic warm- ple 12-week mesocycle designed ple volumes and intensities are
ups, etc.) suitably develops aptitude and to improve power production and demonstrated in Tables 5 and 6. To
confidence. Complete mastery of skill is jumping ability. The program targets accomplish these concepts, most ex-
a byproduct of practice, not a prerequisite moderately trained athletes with pre- ercises should be complex (requiring
of involvement. Although time con- vious experience in jumping and gen- multiple joints) and performed with
straints should always be a consideration, eral strength and conditioning maximal intended velocity across
the obligation to long-term athlete devel- activities, but limited skill in WLM. a spectrum of loading intensities.
opment should not be compromised by The foundation of its design is sum- The periodization strategy is to
a desire for immediate success. Elimina- marized by the phrase, “methods are maintain moderate to high intensities
tion of WLM from a program for this many, concepts are few,” or more while manipulating total daily and
reason is irresponsible. Furthermore, var- plainly, application of exercise deter- weekly volume (e.g., the number of
iations such as the hang start position or mines adaptation, not the exercise per exercises, sets, and/or repetitions in
modified pulls serve as short-term alter- se. Prescribing general concepts (work a given day and/or week).
natives to the full snatch and the clean capacity, maximum strength, speed, The 12 weeks are separated into 3
and jerk when technical flaws or other etc.) as opposed to strict/specific blocks and each block is further divided
barriers limit productivity. methods (exercise choice, volumes, into 4 microcycles (Table 1). Each block
Other implements such as medicine intensities, etc.) emphasizes a focus and microcycle is given an overall con-
balls and kettlebells are also frequently on short-term goals and increases cept (e.g., maximal strength, strength
used as substitutes for WLM (33). This the potential for variation and auton- speed, or power), with the first word
is a reasonable solution in special cir- omy based on individual coach/ath- of the concept reflecting which aspect
cumstances such as a lack of equip- lete preferences and limitations dictates greater emphasis. Designing
ment (e.g., barbell and bumper plates)
and/or space. Yet, it is imperative to
recognize that these devices drive sim- Table 4
ilar, but not identical adaptations. The Sample exercises for each movement
benefits of these alternatives will not be
Movement Sample Exercises
as comprehensive or of the same mag-
nitude as WLM, especially in trained Jumps Box jump, bounding, lateral jump, hurdles, assisted jumping
athletes. These training methods
Slams Medicine ball slam, tire slam, band pulls
should be considered supplements,
not equal substitutes. Twists Lateral medicine ball toss, full contact twist, carioca
Agility Pro-agility, reactive shuffle, carioca, mirror drill
PART A: SUMMARY. A combination Throws Soccer throw, shot-put, wood chop
of multiple modalities and loading
paradigms optimizes the potential for Tosses Scoop toss, lateral toss, tire flip
improvements in jumping and leg Bilateral leg Front squat, back squat, overhead squat
power. However, the specific adapta-
tions of each movement variation must Unilateral leg Lunges, split-squat, step-up, one leg squat
be recognized prior to implementa- Bilateral back Deadlift, sumo-deadlift, zercher squats
tion. Jumping activities (BWJ, RJ, AJ)
enrich power mainly through velocity. Vertical pull Pull-up, lat pull down, chin-up, muscle-up
All variations are likely to benefit less Horizontal pull Ring row, bent row, band row
experienced athletes, but AJ is particu-
Vertical press Overhead press, handstand push-up, dip
larly advantageous for athletes with
a history of jump training. Heavy Horizontal press Incline press, flat press, ring push-up
strength training targets force, and
Abdominal flexion Hanging leg raises, V-up, wheel rollout
thus should complement any jump
training program. WLM display Abdominal rotation Antirotation holds, seated twists, lateral bends
a unique ability to facilitate simulta-
Work capacity Sprints, rowing, cycling, sled presses/pulls
neous gains in velocity and force,
Table 6
Block 1—WC (4 wk) Block 2—Strength (4 wk) block
Block 1—WC (4 wk) Block 2—strength (4 wk) Block 3—power (4 wk)
GP 5 general preparation, P 5 power; RM, repetition maximum; S 5 speed; ST 5 strength; WC 5 work capacity.
programs by concept means both coach capacity) within each microcycle. For permits simultaneous training of speed,
and athlete explicitly understand weekly example, during the “Strength Speed” power, and strength, WLM are the
outcome goals, making critical decisions week, 2 speed and 3 strength exercises backbone of all 3 blocks. Briefly, total
such as elimination or alteration of are prescribed with a total weekly vol- volume is high in Block 1 because the
movements, volume, and/or intensity ume of 50 and 100 reps, respectively. predominant goals are to learn move-
in response to unpredicted events Yet, during the following “Speed ments and develop work capacity. Low
(equipment malfunction, changes in Strength” week, speed increases to 4 impact BWJ could function well here if
health, other life stressors, etc.) much movements while strength volume de- applied in a manner that reinforces
easier. For example, during the creases to 1 movement. Thus, the total proper jumping mechanics while grad-
“Strength” phase (week 6), a coach number of speed reps increases from 50 ually increasing workload. Total vol-
might allow an athlete to increase inten- to 150, whereas the total number of ume declines heavily during Blocks 2
sity beyond the previously intended pre- strength reps decreases from 100 to and 3 as the focus shifts to maximal
scription, fully aware movement speed force and then velocity. The second
50. Altering the amount of time per
may be slightly compromised. However, block emphasizes force by reducing
day dedicated to each adaptation
this would not be as appropriate during work capacity volume, maintaining
slightly alters the overall microcycle
the “Speed Strength” phase (weeks 9– speed and power training, and increas-
adaptations, and the combination of
10) as speed should be of greater con- ing strength exercises. Higher impact
cern than strength. each microcycle reflects the goal of BWJ, RJ, and heavy resistance move-
its corresponding block. ments are ideal exercise choices during
Designing by concept also allows high
daily variation in light of a fairly rou- The figure demonstrates the change in this phase. The steady decline of vol-
total weekly training volume, per com- ume continues into the third and final
tine daily structure. Each day begins
ponent (speed, power, strength, and block (power) as work capacity and
with some type of mobility/injury pre-
work capacity), across the sample meso- strength training are reduced in favor
vention movement followed by a
cycle. In summary, speed is moderate in of maximal velocity and power. Imple-
dynamic warm-up. Subsequent speed, Blocks 1 and 2, and increases dramati- menting AJ here would further pro-
power, strength, and work capacity cally in Block 3; power remains constant mote recovery and unloading while
components occupy the bulk of the throughout; strength is similar in Blocks augmenting velocity.
training session. Specificity is achieved 1 and 3, but increases considerably in
by modifying the number of exercises Block 2; work capacity is high in Block CONCLUSIONS
and/or the amount of total repetitions 1, drops off substantially in Block 2, and Power and jumping ability correlate to
dedicated to each specific adaptation is almost completely eliminated in Block both anaerobic and aerobic sport per-
(speed, power, strength, or work 3. Because its well-rounded nature formance. Power requires velocity and
Figure. Twelve-week sample mesocycle. Changes in total and relative weekly volume per training concept are displayed across the
12-week training program. The program is subdivided into 3 blocks with overall goals of work capacity (Block 1),
strength (Block 2), and power (Block 3). Absolute weekly volume is represented by the total repetitions.
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