Evaluation of maximum peak power in athletes: comparison of methods

Abstract

This study analysed the peak maximum power (PPM) during a countermovement jump (CMJ), on two types of female athletes (Soccer and Volley) of different ages, by means of kinematic analyses. The reconstruction of the 3D trajectory of the body centre of mass permitted measuring the jump height, and deriving velocities, forces and powers throughout the exercise (inverse dynamic). The PPMs where estimated from the force time velocity vectors and by means of jump height based predictive equations. Inverse dynamic analyses did not show significant differences of PPMs. However, the jumps where significantly higher in volley players. The predictive equations overestimated the PPMs.