The purpose of this study was to devise a simple mechanical power formula for both peak and average power using a countermovement jump and reach test for both college male and female athletes. Forty-nine female and 69 male athletes were measured for height, weight, thigh circumference, thigh skinfold, upper leg length, and lower leg length. The athletes performed a countermovement jump and reach test off of a force platform. A Vertec jumping apparatus was used to measure vertical jump height and the force platform was used to acquire force/time data to determine actual peak and average power output. Eight anthropometric measurements, vertical jump height, and gender were the variables presented to develop the equations. A stepwise multiple regression statistical procedure was used to develop the prediction equations. Vertical jump height, mass, and body height were the significant (p<.05) variables loaded into both peak and average mechanical power prediction equations. Gender was not significant (p>.05) and, therefore, not loaded into either equation. Predicted peak power and actual peak power values were 4,707 t 1,511 and 4,687 ± 1,612 watts, respectively. Predicted averagepower and actual average power values were 2,547 ± 760 and 2,463 ± 753 watts, respectively. The following best model regression-derived equations produced R2 values of .91 for peak power and .82 for average power:Peak Power (W) = 78.47 • VJ (cm) + 60.57 • Mass (kg) - 15.31 • Ht (cm) - 1,308 Average Power (W) = 41.41 • VJ (cm) + 31.18 • Mass (kg) - 13.86 • Ht (cm) + 431 Results of this study conclude that the two regression equations are good predictors of peak and average mechanical power output. / School of Physical Education

The physical education of physical education students of the VPU is carried out during the academic sports training and during the training session of a chosen sport. The number of hours of academic sports training differs in the course of four years as well as differ the sports skills of every student. Therefore a scientific problem and a practical need to establish if the system of sports studies by branches has the influence on the level of sports students education, and to identify the changes in third and fourth year of studies, after the students have been through the study programs and have adjusted themselves to the social environment, arise. The goal of the paper is to analyze the indexes of speed, jumping ability and power of the physical education students and to establish their level and changes occurring in the third and the fourth year. One of the key tasks during the physical training is to develop the need in a student for physical education, to form motives which encourage his/her physical activeness, self-development and self-expression. The third year students of physical education, both male and female, were checked up at the laboratory of the VPU in the middle of every academic year. The results of the investigation showed, that the study programs of physical education students, which cover lectures and training, supports or inconsiderably increase the indexes of speed, power , ability to jump and by this provider the opportunity for normal... [to full text]

Background Power, sprint and agility abilities are important capacities in modern soccer and are often decisive for the outcome of the game. Finding ways to develop these as effective as possible and improve game related performance is important to optimize further physical development. Aim The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a five-week strength (SG) versus an agility training program (AG) regarding power, sprinting and agility performance in youth postpubertal soccer players. The purpose with the study plan was to be able to implement the results in training programs among the tested population.  Methods 15 post-pubertal non-elite male soccer players participated in the study; average age 16.6 ± 0.6 years, weight 65.8 ± 5.8 kg and height 176.4 ± 5.7 cm. Participants were randomized in two groups and followed science based training programs for five weeks. Power development, sprint and agility performance were tested through a test battery of four tests: drop jump (DJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), sprint 20-m (S-20) and T-test. Reactive strength index (RSI) was calculated by dividing DJ height (cm) with contact time (s). The tests were conducted before and after the training programs to evaluate the efficiency of the training programs.  Results The results demonstrated no significant difference between the groups. No significant improvement was measured for DJ in any group. Though significant improvements in CMJ for both groups (p &gt; 0.05). Significant improvements were also noted for sprint ability for AG (p &lt; 0.01) while moderate and non-significant changes for SG (p = 0.05). Significant improvements were measured in agility for both groups (p &gt; 0.01). Further, significant improvements in calculated RSI were noted for AG (p &lt; 0.05) but not for SG (p &lt; 0.05).  Conclusion The implementation of a five week strength training program induces a significant improvement in power development through CMJ and agility ability. The implementation of a five week agility training program induces a significant improvement on jumping, sprint and agility abilities. The practical implication is that since both training programs brought improvements, you as a coach can apply what best suits your group and resources. / Bakgrund Effektutveckling, sprint- och agilityförmåga är centrala, ofta matchavgörande förmågor inom dagens fotboll. Att hitta sätt att utveckla dessa förmågor så effektivt som möjligt och förbättra matchrelaterad prestationsförmåga blir viktigt för att optimera fortsatt fysisk utveckling. Syfte Syftet med studien var att undersöka effekten av ett femveckors styrke- (SG) kontra ett agilityträningsprogram (AG) gällande hopp-, sprint- och agilityförmåga hos unga fotbollsspelare. Avsikten med studiens upplägg var att det med enkelhet ska kunna implementeras i träningsplaneringen för den undersökta populationen. Metod 15 postpubertala fotbollsspelande pojkar på breddnivå deltog i studien; medelålder 16,6 ± 0,6 år, vikt 65,8 ± 5,8 kg och längd 176,4 ± 5,7 cm. Deltagarna randomiserades i två grupper och fick i fem veckor följa vetenskapligt förankrade träningsprogram. Effektutveckling, sprintoch agilityförmåga testades genom ett testbatteri av fyra tester: drop jump (DJ), counter movement jump (CMJ), sprint 20-m och T-test. Reaktiv styrkeindex (RSI) beräknades genom att dividera hopphöjd i DJ (cm) med markkontakttiden (s). Testerna genomfördes innan och efter genomförandet av träningsprogrammen för att utvärdera träningsprogrammen. Resultat Resultatet påvisade ingen signifikant skillnad mellan grupperna. Ingen signifikant förbättring uppmättes för DJ i någon av grupperna. Däremot en signifikant förbättring av CMJ för båda grupperna (p &gt; 0.05). Signifikanta förbättringar noterades även på sprintförmåga för AG (p &lt; 0.01) medan måttliga, och icke-signifikanta förändringar för SG (p = 0.051). Signifikanta förbättringar uppmättes i agilityförmåga för båda grupper (p &lt;0.01). Vidare noterades signifikanta förbättringar i beräknat RSI för AG (p &lt; 0.05) men ej för SG (p &lt; 0.05). Slutsats Genomförandet av ett femveckors styrketräningsprogram ger signifikanta förbättringar på effektutveckling genom CMJ och agilityförmåga genom t-test på unga fotbollsspelare. Ett femveckors agilityträningsprogram ger signifikanta förbättringar på hopp-, sprint- och agilityförmåga. Den praktiska implikationen är att då båda träningsprogrammen medförde förbättringar kan man som tränare tillämpa det som passar bäst in för sin grupp och resurser. / <p>Ämneslärarprogrammet, Specialidrott</p>

The purpose of this study was to investigate two different plyometric training techniques for increasing vertical jumping ability. Twenty-four female high school volleyball players were matched for height and weight and distributed equally among three groups. Each subject performed a vertical jump test, Margaria power test, Wingate bicycle test, and an isokinetic leg strength test prior to and following six weeks of training. Plyometric training significantly (p<.05) improved vertical jumping ability and some indices of leg strength and power. Weighted plyometrics did not enhance performance more than plyometrics alone. These data support the view that plyometric training with or without added weights enhances vertical jumping and leg power.