David Masterson Health & Performance

I recently came across some research (Sportsmith)on the Assisted Countermovement Jump (ACMJ), and it got me thinking about how it might be used in programming.

Research comparing assisted, resisted, and normal CMJ training suggests that ACMJ may improve jump height more than traditional CMJ training.

In one four-week rugby study, jump height improved by approximately:
Assisted CMJ: 6.7%
Resisted CMJ: 4.0%
Normal CMJ: 1.3%

Another study showed similar results, with assisted jumps improving jump height by 8.6%, compared with 3.4% for resisted CMJ and 0.6% for normal CMJ.

So the day after a pitch session I compared:
A CMJ
An assisted CMJ
And then re-tested my CMJ again 3 hours later

The assisted CMJ provided a clear over-speed stimulus, and there may also have been a short-term potentiation or priming effect.

However, I would not overstate this from a single test.

But it may be a useful tool for exposing athletes to higher movement velocities, and they may have some short-term potentiation benefit that is worth observing over time.

Can a trap-bar jump tell us something useful about GAA speed and power?

For my MSc study, I looked at load–velocity profiling in club-level Gaelic football players and its association with sprint and jump performance.

In my study, trap-bar jump (TBJ) load–velocity variables were strongly associated with 10 m sprint, 40 m sprint and CMJ performance.

So how could this be used practically?
1. To profile and monitor load-oriented, velocity-oriented and composite L–V qualities over time.

This may help coaches see if an athlete’s profile is shifting more towards load capacity, velocity expression, or a combination of both.

2. To better understand how players produce performance.
Two players may have similar 1RM or CMJ scores, but very different L–V profiles.
One may be more load-oriented.
One may be more velocity-oriented.
One may have a better overall profile.
This can help guide more individualised training decisions.

Important point:
This does not replace sprint testing, CMJ testing, strength testing, or GPS.
It adds another layer.

And like all data, it is only useful if it helps make better coaching decisions.