Identifying relevant countermovement-jump parameters for academy soccer players
Article
Suarez-Balsera, C., Figueiredo, P., Bishop, C. and Rago, V. 2026. Identifying relevant countermovement-jump parameters for academy soccer players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. 21 (1), pp. 106-117. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2025-0320
| Type | Article |
|---|---|
| Title | Identifying relevant countermovement-jump parameters for academy soccer players |
| Authors | Suarez-Balsera, C., Figueiredo, P., Bishop, C. and Rago, V. |
| Abstract | Purpose: This study aimed to determine the reliability and relevance of key countermovement jump (CMJ) parameters in Academy soccer players. Methods: Twenty-nine bilateral CMJ force-time variables were collected using dual force plates from 63 Academy soccer players. Two analyses were performed: i) test–retest reliability was assessed in a convenience sample of 20 players across two sessions separated by seven days, and ii) principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted in 47 players using their most representative seasonal trial to reduce data dimensionality. Results: Most outcome-based variables demonstrated acceptable reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ≥ .81; coefficient of variation [CV] ≤ 13.7%). Nine out of eleven time-based variables showed acceptable reliability (ICC ≥ .67; CV ≤ 12.9%). All asymmetry-based variables showed unacceptable reliability (ICC ≥ .11; CV ≤ 66.4%) while symmetry-based variables generally displayed excellent reliability (ICC ≥ .90; CV ≤ 11.8%). The PCA revealed three principal components within outcome- (force and power production during concentric and eccentric phases) and time-based (temporal ratios, concentric duration, and landing characteristics) variables whereas two principal components were revealed for asymmetry- or symmetry-based variables (related to eccentric, concentric, and landing phases). These explained 83.1%, 76.1%, and 81.9% of the total variance for outcome-, time-and asymmetry or symmetry-based variables, respectively. Conclusions: Practitioners involved with bilateral CMJ testing in academy soccer players can rely on the selected parameters presented in our study. Symmetry parameters could be preferred over asymmetry parameters, due to their superior reliability. |
| Keywords | Kinetics; Force; Power; Impulse; Kinematics |
| Sustainable Development Goals | 3 Good health and well-being |
| Middlesex University Theme | Health & Wellbeing |
| Publisher | Human Kinetics |
| Journal | International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance |
| ISSN | 1555-0265 |
| Electronic | 1555-0273 |
| Publication dates | |
| Online | 17 Nov 2025 |
| Jan 2026 | |
| Publication process dates | |
| Submitted | 30 Jun 2025 |
| Accepted | 30 Sep 2025 |
| Deposited | 01 Oct 2025 |
| Output status | Published |
| Accepted author manuscript | File Access Level Open |
| Copyright Statement | Accepted author manuscript version reprinted, by permission, from International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 2025, volume (issue): pp-pp, https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2025-0320 . © Human Kinetics, Inc. |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2025-0320 |
| PubMed ID | 41248626 |
| Language | English |
https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/2w2378
Download files
185
total views48
total downloads1
views this month2
downloads this month