Author(s): LIU, Y., HU, B., YUAN, T., GUO, Q., HAN, P., WEI, P., DUAN, Y., Institution: CHINA INSTITUTE OF SPORT SCIENCE, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 1542

INTRODUCTION:
The transfer of lower-limb explosive power into specific technical velocity is a determining factor in hurdle performance. While the Countermovement Jump (CMJ) is a standard metric for neuromuscular monitoring, the direct kinetic-kinematic link between vertical power production and horizontal inter-hurdle speed is not well characterized across different competitive levels. This study investigated the relationship between neuromuscular status (CMJ height) and specific technical metrics (inter-hurdle speed and flight time) during a pre-competition mesocycle.
METHODS:
The study monitored five hurdlers (n=5) over a 3-week specific preparation block. The cohort comprised four female 100m hurdlers (hurdle height: 0.838m) and one male 110m hurdler (hurdle height: 0.991m). Participants were stratified by competitive level according to national standards: one International Master of Sports (Female), one Master of Sports (Female), two First-Grade athletes (1 Female, 1 Male), and one Second-Grade athlete (Female). Neuromuscular status was assessed weekly via the MyJump 3 application by calculating mean CMJ height (cm). Technical performance was simultaneously captured during high-intensity training sessions using Dartfish video analysis to quantify mean inter-hurdle speed (m·s⁻¹) and hurdle flight time (s). The linearity between physical capacity and technical execution was assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients (r), with significance set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS:
Descriptive statistics highlighted performance stratification corresponding to competitive levels. The International Master of Sports (Female) exhibited superior neuromuscular consistency (CMJ: ~48.4±1.9 cm) and technical velocity (~7.25 m·s⁻¹)) compared to the Second-Grade athlete (CMJ: ~41.9 cm; Speed: ~6.04m·s⁻¹)). Statistical analysis revealed a significant, strong positive correlation between CMJ height and inter-hurdle speed within the female subgroup (r = 0.78, p = 0.02). Conversely, inter-hurdle flight time showed no significant linear correlation with CMJ performance (p > 0.05). Notably, the male First-Grade athlete demonstrated a distinct decoupling of physical and technical metrics; despite a 10.1% increase in CMJ height (55.4 cm to 61.0 cm) over the final week, inter-hurdle speed remained stable (~7.3m·s⁻¹)), indicating a non-linear transfer of power in the short-term adaptation phase.
CONCLUSION:
These findings show that CMJ height is a valid predictor of inter-hurdle velocity in female hurdlers from sub-elite to elite levels, supporting its use as a surrogate for technical readiness. However, dissociation in male athletes suggests that for specific populations or training phases, greater explosive power does not directly translate to faster hurdle splits, likely due to limited technical rhythm or movement efficiency. Practitioners should use CMJ monitoring to assess physical readiness while recognizing technical transfer may lag behind neuromuscular gains.