The purpose of this study was to compare effects of the front squat and back squat on vertical jump and lower body power index of division 1 male volleyball players. Eighteen NCAA Division 1 male volleyball players volunteered for this study and were assigned either to a back squat or a front squat training program group. Subjects followed the training program for 8 weeks. Counter-movement vertical jump (CMVJ) height and lower body power index were measured at 0, 4 and 8 weeks of the study. A 2x3 factorial ANOVA revealed no significant difference in CMVJ height and power index between the training groups (p = 0.921). In addition, changes in power index over 8 weeks were not significant (p = 0.931). There was significant improvement for both groups in CMVJ height from 0 to 4 weeks (p =.001) and from 0 to 8 weeks (p =.000), but not from 4 to 8 weeks (p =.080). Both front squat and back squat strength training programs were both equally effective at enhancing CMVJ performance.
© Copyright 2007 All rights reserved.