Effect of squat depth on performance and biomechanical parameters of countermovement vertical jump

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of different squat depths in the performance and biomechanical parameters at counter movement jump (CMJ). Twenty-two male volleyball or basketball players volunteered to participate in this study and all were currently competing at the college level. The CMJ was performed in three different conditions: 1) with relative knee flexion at the end of counter movement phase smaller than 90° (<90°); 2) greater than 90° (>90°), and; 3) preferred position (PREF). During the CMJ, kinematic, kinetic, and electromyography parameters were assessed. ANOVA for repeated measures with post-hoc Bonferroni´s test was used for variables comparison, with a significance level set at p?0.05. The higher performance was on PREF and <90° situations compared with CMJ>90°. Average and peak power, as well as absolute and normalized peak forces, were higher in >90° CMJ. The peak velocity of CG and angular velocities of hip and knee were higher in the <90° condition. EMG activity of the vastus lateralis (VL) during the descending and ascending phases were higher in position >90°. Recuts femoris and biceps femoris did not show difference in any jump phases. In conclusion, the knee flexion interferes the performance and the biomechanical variables at the CMJ. The highest jumps were got at a deeper squat, so this technique could be used for athletes in order to optimize the vertical jump performance in the training and competitions.