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INFLUENCE OF A PRE-COUNTERMOVEMENT ARM SWING ON HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL JUMPING

Abstract

Jerad Kosek, Imani Hill, Hannah Houde, Christopher Wilburn, Wendi Weimar. Auburn University, Auburn, AL.

BACKGROUND: Research has demonstrated the latissimus dorsi has a pivotal role in engaging passive components for increase force production. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to evaluate the role of a pre-countermovement arm swing on force production. METHODS: Forty (20 males, 20 females) recreationally active individuals (Age = 21 ± 2.0 years) were recruited to participate in this study. Kinetic data was recorded using two AMTI force plates, sampling at 1000 Hz. Participants performed a self-selected warm-up in preparation for twelve maximum effort jumps. Participants performed 6 total maximal vertical jumps and 6 maximum horizontal jumps with randomly assigned arm swing conditions. Condition 1 required the participant to perform a usual countermovement jump without a pre countermovement arm swing and with both feet on each force plate. Condition 2 required the participant to perform multiple typical arm swings prior to the initiation of the countermovement and the subsequent jump. Kinetic data were imported into Visual3D for the reduction of peak ground reaction force during the propulsive phase of the jump. Analyses included 1 (peak force) x 2 repeated measures (arm swing condition) ANOVA’s. RESULTS: The results indicated significant differences in peak anterior ground reaction force between the pre-countermovement arm swing and no pre-countermovement arm swing conditions for horizontal jumping (294.7±105.5 vs. 303.1±108.1 N, p=.023). No significant differences between the pre-countermovement arm swing and no pre-countermovement arm swing conditions in peak vertical ground reaction forces for either vertical (850.4±226.7 vs. 861.9±215.9 N, p=.488) nor horizontal (757.5±171.9 vs. 771.8±172.0 N, p=.063) jumping. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, this study reveals an influence of preparatory latissimus dorsi activation on jumping performance kinetics potentially through increased pelvic stability. This pre-countermovement arm swing technique may provide practical benefits in sprinting activities, such as baserunning, that prioritize ground reaction force generation in the anterior direction.

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