21st Annual Student Research Conference
The Relationship Between Elastic Energy, Ground Reaction Forces, and Muscle Activity in Vertical Jumping
Sydney C. Young
Dr. Michael Bird, Faculty Mentor
This study examined the relationship between elastic energy, ground reaction forces, and muscle activation in vertical jumping. Nineteen female subjects were videotaped while jumping on a force plate. Each subject performed a jump with and without a countermovement. Electromyographical measures of the gastrocnemius, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and the gluteus maximus muscles were collected. Video data were processed with a Peak Motus system. Relative force, energy, work, power, and velocity were all significantly greater in the countermovement jump. Activity of the rectus femoris and the vastus lateralis were significantly greater in the non-countermovement jump. No significant correlations were found comparing stored elastic energy, muscle activity, and relative force. Thus, the stretch-shortening cycle allows for greater production of force, energy, work, power, and velocity with less activity of the rectus femoris and the vastus lateralis. However, it also appears that elastic benefit does not change with muscle activation.
Keywords: Elastic Energy, Vertical Jumping , Muscle Activation , Stretch-shortening cycle, Ground Reaction Forces
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 50-2
Location: VH 1010
Time: 3:00