Influence of a Horizontal Approach on the Mechanical Output During Drop Jumps

This study investigated the influence of a horizontal approach to mechanical output during drop jumps. Participants performed drop jumps from heights of 15, 30, 45, and 60 cm with zero, one, two, and three approach steps. The peak summed power during the push-off phase changed quadratically across heights (6.2 ± 0.3, 6.7 ± 0.4, 6.4 ± 0.4, and 6.0 ± 0.4 kW, respectively) driven by the ankle joint response. Summed peak power was 10% greater with an approach attributed to the knee joint response. Downward phase dorsiflexion (31%), knee flexion (35%), and peak vertical force (32%) increased with drop heights. Vertical approach force (22%) increased, while knee flexion (11%) and downward duration (17%) decreased. An approach may improve drop jump training for explosive tasks.