Vertical and Horizontal Jump Tests Are Strongly Associated With Competitive Performance in 100-m Dash Events

Abstract

Fourteen male elite sprinters performed short-distance sprints and jump tests until 18 days before 100-m dash competitions in track and field to determine if these tests are associated with 100-m sprint times. Testing comprised of squat jumps (SJ), countermovement jumps (CMJ), horizontal jumps (HJ), maximum mean propulsive power relative to body mass in loaded jump squats, and a flying start 50-m sprint. Moderate associations were found between speed tests and competitive 100-m times (r = 0.54, r = 0.61, and r = 0.66 for 10-, 30-, and 50-m, respectively, p ≤ 0.05). In addition, the maximum mean propulsive power relative to body mass was very largely correlated with 100-m sprinting performance (r = 0.75, p < 0.01). The correlations of SJ, CMJ, and HJ with actual 100-m sprinting times amounted to -0.82, -0.85, and -0.81, respectively. Because of their practicality, safeness, and relationship with the actual times obtained by top-level athletes in 100-m dash events, it is highly recommended that SJ, CMJ, and HJ be regularly incorporated into elite sprint-testing routines.