Author(s): PARPA, K., PALUDO, C.A., MICHAELIDE, V., MOUBARAK, M., MICHAELIDES, M. , Institution: UCLAN UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS, Country: CYPRUS, Abstract-ID: 181

INTRODUCTION:
The purpose of the study was to examine differences in neuromuscular jump performance between soccer players and physically active controls using countermovement jump (CMJ) and drop jump assessments (DJ).
METHODS:
Thirty-five participants were included in the analysis: 15 soccer players (age: 22.87 ± 1.73 years, height: 173.27 ± 6.72 cm, weight: 71.43 ± 5.91 kg) and 20 physically active controls (21.55 ± 2.11 years, height: 175.65 ± 9.43 cm, weight: 75.63 ± 13.47 kg). All participants were assessed using PASCO force plates (PASCO Scientific, Roseville, CA, USA). Variables included jump height, power output, rate of force development (RFD), impulse, modified reactive strength index (RSI mod), drop jump reactive strength index (DJ RSI), and peak landing forces. Independent samples t-tests were used to compare the groups, while effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s d and interpreted as small (0.2), moderate (0.5) and large (0.8). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS:
Soccer players demonstrated significantly greater CMJ jump height (Δ = 18.18%, p = 0.007, d = 1.04), relative and absolute power output (Δ = 15.48%, p = 0.04, d = 0.72), and rate of force development (Δ = 26.56%, p = 0.009, d = 0.93) compared to non-soccer players. Modified RSI was also significantly higher in soccer players (Δ = 26.09%, p = 0.009, d = 0.98), indicating more efficient explosive force-time characteristics. During the drop jump task, soccer players demonstrated greater reactive strength index values (Δ = 48.25%, p = 0.004, d = 1.21), alongside significantly lower peak initial landing forces (Δ = - 44.96%, p = 0.004, d = -1.08). No significant group differences were observed in total impulse production during either jump condition.
CONCLUSION:
Soccer players display a reactive-dominant neuromuscular profile characterized by greater force production, more rapid force development and improved landing mechanics without increased impulse. These findings indicate that CMJ and DJ-derived metrics, such as measures of RSI and landing forces, may be sensitive for distinguishing neuromuscular performance characteristics between soccer players and physically active controls. These measures may have practical relevance for performance monitoring and movement quality assessment in field-sport populations.