EXPLOSIVE STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY: KEY DETERMINANTS IN THE SWITCH LEAP PERFORMANCE?

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between explosive strength and the level of flexibility of the lower limbs during the switch leap. The study involved 11 female artistic gymnasts in the junior and senior categories. The My Jump 2 application and the Filtro Jumper device were used to measure jump height and power in the active take-off phase in 10-s repetitive jump tests with arm fixation and arm movement as well as in the switch leap. Flexibility level was assessed using FIG tests in which the extension and flexion of the dominant lower limbs were evaluated. Performance in the alternating jump was assessed by judges using video recordings. The height of the switch leap correlated with lower limb flexibility (r = 0.863**, p=0.001) and with the height achieved in the 10-s arm fixation jump test (r = 0.740**, p=0.009). A significant correlation was found between the height of the switch leap and the power of the active take-off phase in the 10-second arm fixation test (r = 0.671*, p=0.024). In addition, a significant correlation was found between the power in the active take-off phase of the switch leap and the flexibility level (r=0.685*, p=0.020). The correlation between the evaluation value and the level of flexibility was confirmed (r=0.634*, p=0.036). It was shown that explosive strength and the level of flexibility contribute significantly to the execution of the switch leap.