Leg stiffness and potential energy in the countermovement phase and the CMJ jump height

Abstract

Study aim: The elastic potential energy accumulated in the musculotendinous units during the countermovement phase of a jump adds up to the energy supplied by the contracting muscles used in the take-off phase. Consequently, the total mechanical energy used during the jump may reach higher values. Stiffness represents a quantitative measure of a body’s elastic properties. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish the relationship between leg stiffness and the countermovement jump height.

Keywords

• elastic energy
• elasticity
• quasi-stiffness
• stretch-shortening cycle