{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,22]],"date-time":"2026-10-22T01:11:56Z","timestamp":1792631516961,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":35,"publisher":"Human Kinetics","issue":"4","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2024,11,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>This study critically examines the suitability of using a single drop height to assess the reaction strength index in trained and active participants, a key component of athletic performance. Using a cross-sectional design, 377 trained (n\u2009=\u2009163) and active (n\u2009=\u2009214) participants aged 14\u201318\u00a0years performing drop jumps from 4 different heights (24, 32, 40, and 48\u00a0cm) were studied. The primary aim was to explore the individual differences in reaction strength index at these heights and to assess whether a single height can reliably represent stretch-shortening cycle capabilities. While the repeated measures analysis of variance did not reveal any significant differences, the Bland\u2013Altmann analysis revealed significant individual discrepancies between the performance of the drop heights, resulting in a mean absolute error of 32.1 and a mean absolute percentage error of 20.6%. These results strongly suggest that a single drop height is not sufficient to determine performance in the stretch-shortening cycle. This has important practical implications as it can lead to underestimates of performance trends. The study advocates the inclusion of a range of drop heights in routine testing to accurately measure reactive power and thus improve the effectiveness of individualized training programs for young athletes\/active youth.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1123\/pes.2024-0006","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,8,8]],"date-time":"2024-08-08T05:40:01Z","timestamp":1723095601000},"page":"233-239","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":7,"title":["Optimal Drop Heights for Determining Reactive Strength Performance in Youth\u2014Is 1 Drop Height Sufficient to Generate Trustworthy Conclusions for Training Practice?"],"prefix":"10.1123","volume":"36","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1817-1743","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Michael","family":"Keiner","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"DHGS German University of Health and Sport, Ismaning, Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sebastian","family":"M\u00f6ck","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Olympic Training and Testing Center of Hessen, Frankfurt, Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Hagen","family":"Hartmann","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"DHGS German University of Health and Sport, Ismaning, Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Klaus","family":"Wirth","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt, Wiener Neustadt, Austria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"100","reference":[{"issue":"4","key":"r1","series-title":"Int J Kinesiol Sports Sci","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"28","DOI":"10.7575\/aiac.ijkss.v.7n.4p.28","article-title":"Effects of drop height on drop jump performance","volume":"7","author":"Addie CD","year":"2019","unstructured":"Addie CD, Arnett JE, Neltner TJ, et\u00a0al. Effects of drop height on drop jump performance. Int J Kinesiol Sports Sci. 2019;7(4):28\u201332. doi:10.7575\/aiac.ijkss.v.7n.4p.28"},{"issue":"3","key":"r2","series-title":"Acta Physiol Scand","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"385","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1748-1716.1974.tb05693.x","article-title":"Storage of elastic energy in skeletal muscles in man","volume":"91","author":"Asmussen E","year":"1974","unstructured":"Asmussen E, Bonde-Petersen F. Storage of elastic energy in skeletal muscles in man. Acta Physiol Scand. 1974;91(3):385\u201392. doi:10.1111\/j.1748-1716.1974.tb05693.x"},{"key":"r3","series-title":"Sports","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/sports11010001","article-title":"Optimal drop height in prepubertal boys is revealed by the performance in squat jump","volume":"11","author":"Bassa E","year":"2022","unstructured":"Bassa E, Adamopoulos I, Panoutsakopoulos V, et\u00a0al. Optimal drop height in prepubertal boys is revealed by the performance in squat jump. Sports. 2022;11:1. doi:10.3390\/sports11010001"},{"key":"r4","series-title":"J Strength Cond Res","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2258","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0b013e31823c4172","article-title":"The effect of dropping height on jumping performance in trained and untrained prepubertal boys and girls","volume":"26","author":"Bassa EI","year":"2012","unstructured":"Bassa EI, Patikas DA, Panagiotidou AI, Papadopoulou SD, Pylianidis TC, Kotzamanidis CM. The effect of dropping height on jumping performance in trained and untrained prepubertal boys and girls. J Strength Cond Res. 2012;26:2258\u201364. doi:10.1519\/JSC.0b013e31823c4172"},{"issue":"3","key":"r5","series-title":"Scand J Med Sci Sports","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"171","DOI":"10.1034\/j.1600-0838.2002.01128.x","article-title":"Anaerobic power and muscle strength characteristics of 11\u00a0years old elite and non-elite boys and girls from gymnastics, team handball, tennis and swimming","volume":"12","author":"Bencke J","year":"2002","unstructured":"Bencke J, Damsgaard R, Saekmose A, J\u00f8rgensen P, J\u00f8rgensen K, Klausen K. Anaerobic power and muscle strength characteristics of 11\u00a0years old elite and non-elite boys and girls from gymnastics, team handball, tennis and swimming. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2002;12(3):171\u20138. doi:10.1034\/j.1600-0838.2002.01128.x"},{"issue":"1","key":"r6","series-title":"Pediatr Exerc Sci","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"23","DOI":"10.1123\/pes.2019-0120","article-title":"Effect of drop height on vertical jumping performance in pre-, circa-, and post-pubertal boys and girls","volume":"32","author":"Birat A","year":"2020","unstructured":"Birat A, Sebillaud D, Bourdier P, et\u00a0al. Effect of drop height on vertical jumping performance in pre-, circa-, and post-pubertal boys and girls. Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2020;32(1):23\u20139. doi:10.1123\/pes.2019-0120"},{"issue":"1","key":"r7","series-title":"Sports Med","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"7","DOI":"10.2165\/00007256-199009010-00002","article-title":"Drop jumping as a training method for jumping ability","volume":"9","author":"Bobbert MF","year":"1990","unstructured":"Bobbert MF. Drop jumping as a training method for jumping ability. Sports Med. 1990;9(1):7\u201322. doi:10.2165\/00007256-199009010-00002"},{"key":"r8","series-title":"Med Sci Sports Exerc","first-page":"339","article-title":"Drop jumping. II. The influence of dropping height on the biomechanics of drop jumping","volume":"19","author":"Bobbert MF","year":"1987","unstructured":"Bobbert MF, Huijing PA, Van Ingen Schenau GJ. Drop jumping. II. The influence of dropping height on the biomechanics of drop jumping. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1987;19:339\u201346."},{"key":"r9","series-title":"Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences","author":"Cohen J","year":"1988","unstructured":"Cohen J. Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences. Erlbaum Associates; 1988."},{"key":"r10","series-title":"J Strength Cond Res","first-page":"349","article-title":"Strength and power predictors of sports speed","volume":"19","author":"Cronin JB","year":"2005","unstructured":"Cronin JB, Hansen KT. Strength and power predictors of sports speed. J Strength Cond Res. 2005;19:349\u201357."},{"key":"r11","article-title":"The relationships between sprint run and strength parameters in young athletes and non-athletes","author":"Cunha L","year":"2007","unstructured":"Cunha L, Ribeiro J, Fernandes O, Valamatos M, Pinto R, Santos P. The relationships between sprint run and strength parameters in young athletes and non-athletes. Presented at Proceedings of the 25th International Symposium on Biomechanics in Sports, Konstanz; 2007."},{"issue":"2","key":"r12","series-title":"J Appl Biomech","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"131","DOI":"10.1123\/jab.22.2.131","article-title":"Biomechanical behavior of muscle-tendon complex during dynamic human movements","volume":"22","author":"Fukashiro S","year":"2006","unstructured":"Fukashiro S, Hay DC, Nagano A. Biomechanical behavior of muscle-tendon complex during dynamic human movements. J Appl Biomech. 2006;22(2):131\u201347. doi:10.1123\/jab.22.2.131"},{"key":"r13","series-title":"Biology of Sport","first-page":"367","article-title":"Strength and vertical jumping performance characteristics in school-aged boys and girls","volume":"23","author":"Gantiraga E","year":"2006","unstructured":"Gantiraga E, Katartzi E, Papadopoulos C. Strength and vertical jumping performance characteristics in school-aged boys and girls. Biology of Sport. 2006;23:367\u201378."},{"issue":"3","key":"r14","series-title":"Res Sports Med","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"205","DOI":"10.1080\/15438620600854769","article-title":"Strength and speed characteristics of elite, subelite, and recreational young soccer players","volume":"14","author":"Gissis I","year":"2006","unstructured":"Gissis I, Papadopoulos C, Kalapotharakos V, Sotiropoulos A, Komsis G, Manolopoulos E. Strength and speed characteristics of elite, subelite, and recreational young soccer players. Res Sports Med. 2006;14(3):205\u201314. doi:10.1080\/15438620600854769"},{"issue":"5","key":"r15","series-title":"Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"415","DOI":"10.1007\/BF00599614","article-title":"Recovery of stretch reflex responses following mechanical stimulation","volume":"66","author":"Gollhofer A","year":"1993","unstructured":"Gollhofer A, Rapp W. Recovery of stretch reflex responses following mechanical stimulation. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1993;66(5):415\u201320. doi:10.1007\/BF00599614"},{"key":"r16","series-title":"J Strength Cond Res","first-page":"326","article-title":"Relationship of the stretch-shortening cycle to sprint performance in trained female athletes","volume":"15","author":"Hennessy L","year":"2001","unstructured":"Hennessy L, Kilty J. Relationship of the stretch-shortening cycle to sprint performance in trained female athletes. J Strength Cond Res. 2001;15:326\u201331."},{"issue":"4","key":"r17","series-title":"J Appl Physiol","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1276","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.00430.2007","article-title":"Age-related neuromuscular function during drop jumps","volume":"103","author":"Hoffr\u00e9n M","year":"2007","unstructured":"Hoffr\u00e9n M, Ishikawa M, Komi PV. Age-related neuromuscular function during drop jumps. J Appl Physiol. 2007;103(4):1276\u201383. doi:10.1152\/japplphysiol.00430.2007"},{"key":"r18","series-title":"Strength and Power in Sport","article-title":"Elastic potential of muscle","author":"Huijing PA","year":"1994","unstructured":"Huijing PA. Elastic potential of muscle. In: Komi P, ed. Strength and Power in Sport. Blackwell Science; 1994."},{"key":"r19","series-title":"Aus J Strength Cond","first-page":"24","article-title":"Do long-term strength training and age affect the performance of drop jump in adolescents?","volume":"26","author":"Keiner M","year":"2018","unstructured":"Keiner M, Sander A, Hartmann H, Mickel C, Wirth K. Do long-term strength training and age affect the performance of drop jump in adolescents? Aus J Strength Cond. 2018;26:24\u201338."},{"key":"r20","series-title":"Strength and Power in Sport","first-page":"184","article-title":"Stretch-shortening-cycle","author":"Komi PV","year":"2003","unstructured":"Komi PV. Stretch-shortening-cycle. In: Komi PV, ed. Strength and Power in Sport. Blackwell Science; 2003. pp.\u00a0184\u2013202."},{"issue":"4","key":"r21","series-title":"J Appl Biomech","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"451","DOI":"10.1123\/jab.13.4.451","article-title":"Stretch reflexes can have an important role in force enhancement during SSC exercise","volume":"13","author":"Komi PV","year":"1997","unstructured":"Komi PV, Gollhofer A. Stretch reflexes can have an important role in force enhancement during SSC exercise. J Appl Biomech. 1997;13(4):451\u201360. doi:10.1123\/jab.13.4.451"},{"key":"r22","series-title":"Biol Sport","first-page":"29","article-title":"Age- and gender-related development of stretch shortening cycle during a sub-maximal hopping task","volume":"33","author":"Laffaye G","year":"2016","unstructured":"Laffaye G, Choukou MA, Benguigui N, Padulo J. Age- and gender-related development of stretch shortening cycle during a sub-maximal hopping task. Biol Sport. 2016;33:29\u201335."},{"issue":"1","key":"r23","series-title":"Eur J Appl Physiol","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"67","DOI":"10.1007\/s00421-010-1452-4","article-title":"Neuromuscular differences between prepubescents boys and adult men during drop jump","volume":"110","author":"Lazaridis S","year":"2010","unstructured":"Lazaridis S, Bassa E, Patikas D, Giakas G, Gollhofer A, Kotzamanidis C. Neuromuscular differences between prepubescents boys and adult men during drop jump. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2010;110(1):67\u201374. doi:10.1007\/s00421-010-1452-4"},{"issue":"1","key":"r24","series-title":"Pediatr Exerc Sci","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101","DOI":"10.1123\/pes.25.1.101","article-title":"Biomechanical comparison in different jumping tasks between untrained boys and men","volume":"25","author":"Lazaridis SN","year":"2013","unstructured":"Lazaridis SN, Bassa EI, Patikas D, Hatzikotoulas K, Lazaridis FK, Kotzamanidis CM. Biomechanical comparison in different jumping tasks between untrained boys and men. Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2013;25(1):101\u201313. doi:10.1123\/pes.25.1.101"},{"issue":"4","key":"r25","series-title":"Acta Physiol Scand","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"569","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1748-1716.2007.01762.x","article-title":"Influence of falling height on the excitability of the soleus H-reflex during drop-jumps","volume":"192","author":"Leukel C","year":"2008","unstructured":"Leukel C, Taube W, Gruber M, Hodapp M, Gollhofer A. Influence of falling height on the excitability of the soleus H-reflex during drop-jumps. Acta Physiol Scand. 2008;192(4):569\u201376. doi:10.1111\/j.1748-1716.2007.01762.x"},{"issue":"2","key":"r26","series-title":"Strength Cond J","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"23","DOI":"10.1519\/SSC.0b013e3182093a27","article-title":"The natural development and trainability of plyometric ability during childhood","volume":"33","author":"Lloyd RS","year":"2011","unstructured":"Lloyd RS, Meyers RW, Oliver JL. The natural development and trainability of plyometric ability during childhood. Strength Cond J. 2011;33(2):23\u201332. doi:10.1519\/SSC.0b013e3182093a27"},{"issue":"1","key":"r27","series-title":"Br J Sports Med","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"10","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsm.2003.008615","article-title":"Ground reaction forces associated with an effective elementary school based jumping intervention","volume":"39","author":"McKay H","year":"2005","unstructured":"McKay H, Tsang G, Heinonen A, MacKelvie K, Sanderson D, Khan KM. Ground reaction forces associated with an effective elementary school based jumping intervention. Br J Sports Med. 2005;39(1):10\u20134. doi:10.1136\/bjsm.2003.008615"},{"issue":"1","key":"r28","series-title":"J Strength Cond Res","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"38","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0b013e3182541ec6","article-title":"Plyometrics\u2019 trainability in preadolescent soccer athletes","volume":"27","author":"Michailidis Y","year":"2013","unstructured":"Michailidis Y, Fatouros IG, Primpa E, et\u00a0al. Plyometrics\u2019 trainability in preadolescent soccer athletes. J Strength Cond Res. 2013;27(1):38\u201349. doi:10.1519\/JSC.0b013e3182541ec6"},{"issue":"2","key":"r29","series-title":"J Sports Sci","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"141","DOI":"10.1080\/02640410701352018","article-title":"Changes in jump performance and muscle activity following soccer-specific exercise","volume":"26","author":"Oliver J","year":"2008","unstructured":"Oliver J, Armstrong N, Williams C. Changes in jump performance and muscle activity following soccer-specific exercise. J Sports Sci. 2008;26(2):141\u20138. doi:10.1080\/02640410701352018"},{"issue":"1","key":"r30","series-title":"Pediatr Exerc Sci","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"60","DOI":"10.1123\/pes.13.1.60","article-title":"Knee extensor muscle strength and vertical jumping performance characteristics in pre- and post-pubertal boys","volume":"13","author":"P\u00e4\u00e4suke M","year":"2001","unstructured":"P\u00e4\u00e4suke M, Ereline J, Gapeyeva H. Knee extensor muscle strength and vertical jumping performance characteristics in pre- and post-pubertal boys. Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2001;13(1):60\u20139. doi:10.1123\/pes.13.1.60"},{"issue":"1","key":"r31","series-title":"Sports Med","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"57","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-017-0785-0","article-title":"The influence of growth and maturation on stretch-shortening cycle function in youth","volume":"48","author":"Radnor JM","year":"2018","unstructured":"Radnor JM, Oliver JL, Waugh CM, Myer GD, Moore IS, Lloyd RS. The influence of growth and maturation on stretch-shortening cycle function in youth. Sports Med. 2018;48(1):57\u201371. doi:10.1007\/s40279-017-0785-0"},{"key":"r32","series-title":"Aspekte der Sprungkraft und Sprungkraftdiagnostik Unter Besonderer Ber\u00fccksichtigung der Entwicklung im Kindes- und Jugendalter","author":"Richter A","year":"2011","unstructured":"Richter A. Aspekte der Sprungkraft und Sprungkraftdiagnostik Unter Besonderer Ber\u00fccksichtigung der Entwicklung im Kindes- und Jugendalter. Karlsruher Institut f\u00fcr Technologie; 2011."},{"key":"r33","series-title":"Strength and Power in Sport","first-page":"381","article-title":"Training for power events","author":"Schmidtbleicher D","year":"1992","unstructured":"Schmidtbleicher D. Training for power events. In: Komi P, ed. Strength and Power in Sport. Blackwell Scientific Publications; 1992. pp.\u00a0381\u201395."},{"issue":"2","key":"r34","series-title":"Exerc Sport Sci Rev","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"106","DOI":"10.1097\/JES.0b013e31824138da","article-title":"How neurons make us jump","volume":"40","author":"Taube W","year":"2012","unstructured":"Taube W, Leukel C, Gollhofer A. How neurons make us jump. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2012;40(2):106\u201315. doi:10.1097\/JES.0b013e31824138da"},{"issue":"5","key":"r35","series-title":"Scand J Med Sci Sports","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"671","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1600-0838.2011.01293.x","article-title":"The drop height determines neuromuscular adaptations and changes in jump performance in stretch-shortening cycle training, in","volume":"22","author":"Taube W","year":"2012","unstructured":"Taube W, Leukel C, Lauber B, Gollhofer A. The drop height determines neuromuscular adaptations and changes in jump performance in stretch-shortening cycle training, in: Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2012;22(5):671\u201383. doi:10.1111\/j.1600-0838.2011.01293.x"}],"container-title":["Pediatric Exercise Science"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.humankinetics.com\/view\/journals\/pes\/36\/4\/article-p233.xml","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.humankinetics.com\/downloadpdf\/journals\/pes\/36\/4\/article-p233.xml","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"syndication"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.humankinetics.com\/downloadpdf\/journals\/pes\/36\/4\/article-p233.xml","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,27]],"date-time":"2025-08-27T23:11:58Z","timestamp":1756336318000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.humankinetics.com\/view\/journals\/pes\/36\/4\/article-p233.xml"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,11,1]]},"references-count":35,"journal-issue":{"issue":"4"},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1123\/pes.2024-0006","relation":{},"ISSN":["0899-8493","1543-2920"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0899-8493","type":"print"},{"value":"1543-2920","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,11,1]]}}}