Eccentric utilisation (C​​MJ + SJ)

Knowing your/ your athlete's ability to utilise their eccentric and concentric lower body power can be very useful when either monitoring progress or just determining the current athlete profile. This test will not only give you the results of the countermovement jump and the squat jump individually, it will also inform on the ratio between the countermovement jump and squat jump. This ratio indicates the eccentric utilisation during these jumps. 

What does the test involve?

This is a jump testing analysis that takes place on two force plates. Therefore, each leg is on its own force plate allowing for measurements of the symmetry of force application during the jump. You will be asked to complete 3 countermovement jumps and 3 squat jumps, giving some time for recovery between the jumps. During these jumps your force application onto the force plate will be measured. The goal is to jump as high as possible during each of these tests.

 

Above: Example of force traces for countermovement jumps as included in the report.

What will you get?

You will receive three reports (per person) after the completion of this test. These reports include a report for the countermovement jumps, squat jumps and a comparative report of the relationships between the countermovement jumps and squat jumps which will give more in-depth information relating to the eccentric utilisation.

 

Above: Example of results as represented in the report.

If you were to come for retesting, we will also give you an indication of the comparison between the two testing sessions. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish change over time related to either training adaptation, muscular fatigue, or injury related changes in these results.

 

Above: Example of a report comparing the results of two different testing sessions.

How long will it take?

This is a very short test. If you come to the laboratory after already completing your own warm up session the testing should take between 5 and 10 minutes. If a group/team comes for testing, between 20 and 25 athletes can be tested within an hour.

What should you do/bring?

You will need to bring comfortable training clothes and shoes. Furthermore it is suggested that you do not participate in any strenuous training 24 hours prior to the test, unless the goal of the testing is to determine the muscular fatigue induced by the training session. We also suggest that you complete a warm up session prior to arriving at the lab in order to obtain the maximal performance during this test session.​