Bi-malleolar Width And Achilles Tendon Length Are Associated With Jump Performance In Adolescent Athletes

Countermovement Jump (CMJ) is the most commonly used test to measure neuromuscular performance in athletes, with recent smartphone technologies offering easy solutions for implementation. Anthropometric characteristics are considered one of the many factors that influence CMJ performance. Trials exploring the relationship between lower leg anthropometric characteristics and tests of neuromuscular power are scarce, as existing studies are weighted toward running economy in endurance athletes. Purpose: Examine the relationship between Achilles Tendon (AT) length, width, and bi-malleolar (BM) width on CMJ height, power, force, and take-off velocity in adolescent athletes. METHODS: Ten male and eight female adolescent athletes (age: 16.2 ± 0.8 yrs height: 17.75 ± 10.53 cm, mass: 67.5 ± 10.10 kg) volunteered. AT length was measured using a measuring tape in prone lying while participants performed a maximal isometric contraction in full plantar flexion. AT width was measured using an anthropometer at a point five centimetres proximal to the point of insertion. BM width was also measured using an anthropometer by placing it at the point corresponding to maximum convexity on the medial and lateral malleoli. Participants performed three trials of the CMJ test. Jump height, power, force, and take-off velocity were calculated using a consumer smartphone application. The average of the three trials was statistically treated. Pearson correlations (r) assessed the relationship between AT measurements, BM width, and neuromuscular performance. RESULTS: AT length is moderately correlated with CMJ metrics (r range: 0.41 - 0.57). BM width has a strong correlation with CMJ metrics (r range: 0.73 - 0.81). AT width does not correlate with CMJ metrics (Table). CONCLUSION: Longer AT length and wider BM width are associated with greater CMJ height, power, velocity, and force. AT width does not correlate with CMJ, power, velocity, and force. - Table: Relationship between lower leg anthropometry and countermovement jump metrics Variables Jump Height (m) Power (W) Force (N) Velocity (m/s) r p value r p value r p value r p value AT Length(cm) 0.57 0.01* 0.41 0.08 0.25 0.30 0.58 0.01* AT Width(cm) 0.02 0.90 0.006 0.98 0.02 0.93 -0.005 0.98 BM Width(cm) 0.73 <0.01* 0.81 <0.01* 0.76 <0.01* 0.73 <0.01* r Correlation Coefficient* Indicates statistically significant relationship (p ≤ 0.05).