Abstract

The purpose was to compare the effects of vertical and horizontal stretch-shorten exercise training on performance in vertical and horizontal jumping tests. Using a variety of exercises, subjects in each group performed 2,600 jumps either vertically (N=15) or horizontally (N=15) over a 10 week period, twice a week. The vertical jumping tests were (1) vertical jump and (2) vertical jump with three-steps run-up. The horizontal tests were (1) standing broad jump and (2) standing five jump. In comparing the vertical and horizontal training groups with an analysis of covariance, three were no significant between-group differences in the improvements in the two vertical jumping tests (ca. 5) and 2 horizontal jumping tests (ca. 19). The generality between the two vertical jumping tests was 70 and it was 87 for the two horizontal tests. The generality among the four jumping tests was 66 (pre-training) and 71 (post-training). In conclusion, the training effects were general despite the clear-cut differences in the nature of the two exercise routines. This lack of specificity may be related to the high commonality among the testing exercises used to assess the training effects. Verf.-Referat