Abstract des Autors

Two female and six male athletes performed three loaded (18 kg) countermovement jump squats with and without the use of a dampener system designed to reduce the impact force of landing. The peak vertical ground reaction force was recorded in both conditions. The peak impact force was significantly reduced by 29%, from 3.4 to 2.6 times body weight, by the dampener mechanism. The use of dampeners had no effect on the peak concentric velocity of the jump or jump height attained. The dampening function occurred without impeding concentric performance of the jumps and should reduce the incidence of injury associated with high-intensity plyometric exercises. Such a force-attenuating mechanism would appear to have considerable application in rehabilitation and potentially may be used to allow athletes to perform plyometric training safely with a heavier load than has previously been possible. Verf.-Referat