Developing a new muscle power prediction equation through vertical jump power output in adolescent women

Explosive power is a performance determinant in many sports activities. Vertical jump tests for assessing power output are widely employed. Accurate and reliable methods are needed to predict human power output using the widely employed vertical jump height. To determine vertical jump capacity by using force platform in high school-level girls and to develop an equation that predict vertical jump muscle power (MP) (watts) through body composition and vertical jump height. An experimental group consisting of 87 high school-level young sedentary girls (mean; age; 16.49 ± 1.93, height;161.25 ± 6.21, weight; 55.59 ± 10.27) and a validation (control) group consisting of a similar population of 30 people (mean; age; 16.14 ± 1.31, height; 163.30 ± 6.28, weight; 56.65 ± 9.59), participated in this study. A stepwise linear regression model, including fat free body mass, vertical jump height and fat percentage as independent parameters was applied to develop a new muscle power (MP) estimation equation. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were calculated between actual and predicted MP. The new prediction equation obtained from regression analysis for muscle power (MP) could explain 74.5% (R(2)) of the variation. A strong and high correlation was observed between the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients of the actual and predicted MP (experimental; r = 0.863; P < .000) and (control; r = 0.898; P < .000). The direct measurements of muscle power (MP) require researchers to access costly and complex instruments. This need will be met by the MP estimation equations obtained from a simple vertical jump height and body composition measurement.