Olympic style weightlifting derivatives, such as the power clean and hang high-pull (HHP), are effective for improving a variety of explosive athletic performance measures. However, Olympic weightlifting movements have high skill demands and require expert coaching. Weighted jumps, such as the trap-bar jump squat (TBJS), have a comparably lower skill demand and may be equally effective for improving explosive performance. Yet, to date there is limited scientific research evaluating the effects of these movements and the transferability to high performance sport. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare vertical jump performance and isometric force and rate offeree development (RFD) following a ten-week intervention employing either the HHP or TBJS in collegiate swimmers. Methods: 7 Eighteen NCAA Division II swimmers (Male n=8; Female n=1 0), with at least one year of resistance training experience, volunteered for the study. The participants had a mean age, height, body weight and body fat percentage of20.8 ± 3.2 years, 172.6 ± 8.8 em, 68.19 ± 11.06 kg and 15.6 ± 6.2%, respectively. Baseline and post-training tests included the squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ) and the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) performed on force plates (Pasco-Scientific) sampling at 500Hz. The SJ and CMJ ground reaction forces (Fz) were analysed using a custom built software to obtain relative peak power (W/kg), and the impulse-momentum method was used to calculate takeoff velocity (m/s) and jump height (em). The peak isometric force relative to body mass (N/kg), peak RFD (N/s) and relative force at five time bands was obtained from the IMTP Fz. Subjects were randomly assigned to a HHP training group or TBJS training group and completed a ten-week volume and intensity equated periodized strength and power training program. Loads and volumes for the HHP and TBJS were determined using percentages ofthe subjects· one repetition maximum (1-RM) power clean or trap-bar deadlift and were progressed over the supervised training sessions by a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Results: Paired sample t-tests revealed that all measured dependent variables significantly (p < 0.05) increased from pre-to post-test regardless of the intervention type used. The mean increases were not significantly (p > 0.05) different between the HHP and TBJS, although medium effect sizes were recorded for both relative peak power and vertical jump height in the SJ. Jump height for all subjects in the SJ and CMJ showed increases of3.4 and 2.9 em, respectively, while relative isometric peak force and peak RFD for all subjects increased by 3.6 N/kg and 570.5 N/s, respectively, after the 10-week intervention. Conclusions: Weighted jumps may be equally effective as weightlifting derivatives in the development of vertical jump height and power, and isometric force and RFD. Future studies may wish to examine different populations and other performance measures such as agility, acceleration and sprint metrics. Additionally, this study only examines the HHP and TBJS, while many other variations of Olympic style weightlifting movements and weighted jumps exist. Practical Applications: The results show that weighted jumps may be equally effective as weightlifting derivatives for improving athletic performance measures. However, weighted jumps require significantly less skill to perform, which may make weighted jumps a better option in a large team setting where coaching complex movements may be difficult or where equipment limitations may exist.
