THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MAXIMAL STRENGTH, VERTICAL JUMP, ACCELERATION AND CHANGE OF DIRECTION PERFORMANCE

T he goal of the present study was to explore the relationship between maximum strength, the vertical jump, acceleration and change of direction performance in healthy young male students. The sample of variables included the following variables: body mass (BM), one repetition maximum on the half-squat test (Squat 1RM), one repetition maximum normalized for body mass (Squat 1RM_rel), peak power during the concentric phase of countermovement jump (Ppeak CMJ), vertical jump height during CMJ (CMJ_H), time for the 20m sprint (20m Srint) and time for the agility T-Test (Agility T-Test). The relationship was tested with the Pearson Coefficient of linear correlation (r). The results showed significant correlation between body mass with Squat 1RM_rel and peak concentric power during CMJ (r=-.424, and r=.377, respectively). Peak concentric power during CMJ additionally has a significant correlation with the change of direction abilities, 20m sprint, and vertical jump height, (r=-.401; r=-.467; r=.656; p<0.05, respectively). Also, significant correlation was determined between the 20m Sprint and Agility T-Test (r=.443; r=-.570, respectively), and Agility T-Test vertical jump height (r=-.498).  The level of relationships between maximum strength, acceleration, COD and CMJ may be attributable to differences in the control and coordination of several muscle groups during execution of these tests .