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ASSESSING THE EFFECTS OF PLAYING TIME ON VERTICAL JUMP HEIGHT DURING A COLLEGIATE SEASON

Abstract

Fatigue and overtraining are common concerns in collegiate sports, with the potential to impact athletic performance. It is hypothesized that increased playtime during a season may lead to a decline in vertical jump height in athletes, as fatigue from prolonged play hinders performance. Understanding this concept is crucial for ensuring athletes recover adequately and perform at their peak potential. PURPOSE: The present study aimed to examine changes in vertical jump height across a competitive soccer season, and to evaluate whether accumulated playing time impacts lower body jump performance in collegiate athletes. METHODS: Nineteen members of a Division II women’s soccer team participated in this study, however, due to injuries and missed testing days, the present study has a total sample of eleven participants. Countermovement Vertical jump (CMJ) tests were conducted using a jumping mat. Every 3-4 weeks the athletes were assessed for athletic performance. For the CMJ’s, three attempts were given per trial session, with brief rest periods between jumps. To minimize the influence of arm movement, athletes were instructed to keep their hands on their hips throughout each jump. Eleven participants (age= 19.55 ±1.69 years, height 166.67cm ± 5.32 cm, mass 64.10kg ± 6.53kg) volunteered to participate in the study. A Friedman’s non-parametric was used to assess VJH differences across the season. An alpha of 0.05 was used for level of significance. RESULTS: The present findings do not indicate a statistically significant difference in VJH across the season (X2 (3) = 3.953, p = 0.267). CONCLUSION: The aim of the present study was to see if VJH was impacted across a competitive collegiate soccer season (in-season). Based on VJH data from four specific testing points through early season (baseline mid-August), mid-season (September 4th and September 23rd), and late season (October 14th), the present study observed no differences in VJH for female collegiate soccer players. Future studies may want to assess a greater sample size, and may want to compare results per position (midfield, defender, forward).

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