Power Relative to Strength of Leg and Thigh Muscles

The purpose of this study was (a) to compare the power of the body, as measured by the product of jumping height and body weight, with the strength of leg and thigh flexor muscles and with the strength of leg and thigh extensor muscles; and (b) to compare the effect on power of strength development of agonistic and antagonistic muscle groups. Prior to the training programs, significant correlations of .52 between flexion-strength and power scores and .65 between extension-strength and power scores were obtained for the total experimental group. At the completion of the experiment, nonsignificant correlations were obtained between gain scores for the same measurements. All training groups increased significantly in flexion strength, extension strength, and power during the experimental period. The strength-development programs used in this study were found to be equally effective as means of increasing power.