The physical determinants of maximal jumping time of flight in elite trampolining

ABSTRACT

Time of flight (ToF) is an objective scoring component of elite trampolining, assessed in training by maximal jump tests. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between physical floor based performance meaures and 20-maximum ToF. Thirty-two elite level gymnasts (13 senior; 19 junior) performed a battery of floor based tests and a 20-maximum jump test. Floor based tests included cycling peak power output, reactive strength index (RSI), unloaded countermovement jumps (CMJ), and loaded CMJ’s to construct a load-velocity profile for prediction of theoretical maximum force (CMJ F₀). Very large and large, positive bivariate relationships were observed between CMJ F₀ and ToF for the seniors (r = 0.85) and juniors (r = 0.56), respectively. Very large, positive bivariate relationships were observed between CMJ height and total ToF for both seniors (r = 0.74) and juniors (r = 0.77). Step-wise multiple regression analyses revealed CMJ F₀ predicted 72% of ToF variability between seniors, and CMJ height (59%), 10 to 5 RSI (13%), and CMJ F₀ (10%) predicting 82% of ToF variability between juniors. This suggests CMJ F_0, lower limb maximal isometric capabilities, and CMJ height are important floor based predictors of maximal ToF in elite gymnasts.

Highlights

• Trampolining is an Olympic sport, however, the determinants of maximal jumping (critical component of the overall score) are poorly understood.

• The relationship between floor based performance test metrics and 20-max time of flight performance was explored.

• Theoretical lower limb maximal isometric capabilities, as calculated by force velocity extrapolation, and CMJ height are important floor based tests and predictors of maximal ToF in senior and junior elite trampoline gymnasts.

• This information can be used to target specific, trainable physical qualities that can improve the determining factors such as lower limb maximal isometric force, and therefore have the potential to influence maximal ToF performance.

KEYWORDS:

• Performance
• elite athlete
• trampolining
• load-velocity
• countermovement jump

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the British Gymnastics trampoline programme for their involvement in the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a collaborative doctoral research project funded between Northumbria University and British Gymnastics in collaboration with the EnglishInstitute of Sport.