Effect of hurdle height on neuromuscular activity during bilateral jumps in female athletes and physical education students
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Emmanuel Morales
[1]
;
Darío F. Cappa
[1]
;
Leandro Nodari
[1]
;
Ezequiel Aquistapace
[1]
;
Marco Ramos
[1]
-
[1] University Institute of Physical Activity and Sport «Dr. Jorge E. Coll»
-
- Localización: Scientific Journal of Sport and Performance, ISSN-e 2794-0586, Vol. 5, Nº. 3, 2026, págs. 482-492
- Idioma: inglés
- Enlaces
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Resumen
This study aimed to evaluate the neuromuscular performance of hurdle jumps at different obstacle heights in women to identify the hurdle height eliciting the highest neuromuscular demands. Participants included two groups of regional-level athletes, field hockey players (HOC) and track and field athletes (TAF), and a group of physical education students (PE). Assessments consisted of the countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJA) and hurdle jumps at 60%, 80%, and 100% of CMJA height performed on a force platform. Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the medial gastrocnemius (GM) and tibialis anterior (TA) was recorded, and force variables were analyzed. Rate of force development (RFD) and vertical stiffness (Kvert) were calculated. Results indicated that RFD was significantly greater at 100% of CMJA height, regardless of the group analyzed. EMG activity of the GM was also higher at 100% CMJA height, while no significant differences were observed for the TA. Kvert was not sensitive to hurdle height. In conclusion, 100% of CMJA height is the hurdle height eliciting the greatest neuromuscular and force–time demands in women, independent of sport background.
