Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Jacob Grazer
Department
WCHHS – Exercise Science and Sport Management
Abstract
Purpose: Countermovement Jump (CMJ) performance can provide insight into the force production capabilities relative to the individuals ability during a dynamic task. In conjunction with power output during a CMJ, few investigations have looked to identify the influence of relative strength on these types of tasks. This research aims to establish a link between the relative strength (RS) of an athlete and CMJ performance in jump height (JH) and force production values that were surveyed. Methods: Seventeen males (mean ± SD; age, 23.2 ± 3.8yrs; height, 1.78, ± 6.10m; weight, 84.8 ± 13.2kg) were recruited for this study. Each participant performed a one repetition maximum back squat measured in kilograms and a Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) body composition assessment. From these measures, an RS ratio (1RM/total body mass) was calculated. Participants were assigned into a strong (>1.70x BW RS) weak (< 1.65x BW RS) group. The groups were then compared using independent t-test and Cohen’s d effect size for CMJ performance differences. Results: Metrics surveyed were not statistically significant (p> 0.05) in JH, concentric impulse, eccentric impulse, relative peak power, and symmetry of force production. Effect Sizes for JH and Relative Peak Power were large (d>0.80). Effect sizes for net impulse (d=0.43), eccentric impulse (d=0.77), and 297 concentric impulse (d=0.49) were small to moderate. Conclusion: Results indicate that although there were no statistically significant differences between groups, effect size values indicated large potential differences for several of the metrics measured. It appears that possessing greater levels of relative strength may improve force and power output in college-aged males. It is possible that a larger sample size could clarify the difference in data output implications.
Presented at
2026 - The Thirtieth Annual Symposium of Student Scholars
The Influence of Relative Back Squat Strength on Countermovement Jump Performance in College-Aged Males
2026 - The Thirtieth Annual Symposium of Student Scholars
Purpose: Countermovement Jump (CMJ) performance can provide insight into the force production capabilities relative to the individuals ability during a dynamic task. In conjunction with power output during a CMJ, few investigations have looked to identify the influence of relative strength on these types of tasks. This research aims to establish a link between the relative strength (RS) of an athlete and CMJ performance in jump height (JH) and force production values that were surveyed. Methods: Seventeen males (mean ± SD; age, 23.2 ± 3.8yrs; height, 1.78, ± 6.10m; weight, 84.8 ± 13.2kg) were recruited for this study. Each participant performed a one repetition maximum back squat measured in kilograms and a Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) body composition assessment. From these measures, an RS ratio (1RM/total body mass) was calculated. Participants were assigned into a strong (>1.70x BW RS) weak (< 1.65x BW RS) group. The groups were then compared using independent t-test and Cohen’s d effect size for CMJ performance differences. Results: Metrics surveyed were not statistically significant (p> 0.05) in JH, concentric impulse, eccentric impulse, relative peak power, and symmetry of force production. Effect Sizes for JH and Relative Peak Power were large (d>0.80). Effect sizes for net impulse (d=0.43), eccentric impulse (d=0.77), and 297 concentric impulse (d=0.49) were small to moderate. Conclusion: Results indicate that although there were no statistically significant differences between groups, effect size values indicated large potential differences for several of the metrics measured. It appears that possessing greater levels of relative strength may improve force and power output in college-aged males. It is possible that a larger sample size could clarify the difference in data output implications.