Relationship between vertical jump and body postural stability in males and females aged 6-18 years

Introduction: Body postural stability and vertical jump can be influenced by age, as well as anthropometric characteristics and sport participation (Jallai et al., 2011). However, uncertain correlation between BPS and vertical jump height have also been reported. In prepubertal children and adolescents no correlations have been found (Granacher and Gollhofer, 2011), albeit good correlations have been reported in young soccer players (Gualtieri et al., 2009). Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body postural stability and vertical jump height in males and females aged 6-18 years. Methods: Nine hundred and eighty-five subjects from 6 to 18 years took part in this study (699 males and 286 females). Body postural stability and vertical jump height were measured by balance test (BPS; Libra board, Easytech, Prato, Italia) and countermovement jump test (CMJ; Optojump, Microgate, Bolzano, Italia), respectively. To assess the interaction between sex and among ages, two-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was performed. If Wilk’s lambda achieved statistical significance, the univariate test (ANOVA) was examined for the individual dependent variables applying a Bonferroni’s adjustment of alpha. The partial eta squared (part eta2) was used to detect the magnitude of the differences. In order to detect the relationship between BPS and CMJ in males and females, the Pearson Correlation Coefficient controlled by age (partial correlation) was computed. Results: The two-way MANOVA showed statistical interaction among age and between sex (Wilks lambda=0.96; F=2.35; p=.04; partial eta2=0.20). Univariate analysis of variance found a statistical interaction only for CMJ (F=2.35; p=.04; partial eta2=0.20). Partial correlation showed statistical significance in both males (r=-0.410, p<0.001) and females (r=-0.169, p=0.01). Discussion: The difference between sex and age in CMJ could be explained by the different maturation of nervous, endocrine, muscular, and cardiovascular systems during growth (Roemmich and Rogol, 1995). However, these adaptations did not affect the BPS between sex. The correlation found between BPS and CMJ, especially in males, suggests that training one of these abilities could affect the other one. References: Granacher U, Gollhofer A. (2011). J Strength Cond, 25(6), 1718–1725. Gualtieri D, Cattaneo A, Sarcinella R, Cimadoro G, Alberti G. (2009). Sport Sci Health, 3(3), 73–76. Jallai T, Ereline J, Kums T, Aibast H, Gapeyeva H, Pääsuke M. (2011). AKUT, 17, 89–98. Roemmich JN, Rogol AD. (1995). Clinics in Sports Medicine, 14(3), 483–502.