The Relationship Between Squat Strength, Vertical Jump, and Power Score of High School Football Players

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if a significant relationship exists between 1RM squat strength, vertical jump performance, and power scores of high school football players. METHODS: Fifty-five male football players from a public high school in Corpus Christi, Texas were used for the study. Height, weight, school classification, 1RM squat strength, vertical jump performance, and power scores were obtained for all participants. The Vertec™ vertical jump apparatus, American College of Sports Medicine 1RM squat protocol, and the Lewis formula, which calculates power score, were all utilized for the study. The Lewis formula utilizes vertical jump in meters and body weight in kilograms to calculate lower body power production. A counter-movement jump with no step was used to determine vertical jump performance. Data was collected over a two-day period. Descriptive data and vertical jump performance were collected on Day One. One-repetition maximum squat values were collected on Day Two. Pearson's r correlations were utilized to determine if significant relationships existed between 1RM squat strength and vertical jump, vertical jump and power score, and 1RM squat strength and power score. RESULTS: Correlations coefficients were calculated for 1RM squat strength and vertical jump (r = 0.09, p = 0.51), vertical jump and power score (r = −0.11, p = 0.42), and 1RM squat strength and power score (r = 0.48, p = 0.0002). Also, correlations coefficients were calculated for body weight and vertical jump (r = −0.43, p = 0.001) and body weight and 1RM squat strength (r = 0.4, p = 0.003). Mean 1RM squat strength was 132.9 ± 29.9 kg, and mean vertical jump was 59.7 ± 8.1 cm. Vertical jump performances by classification were as follows: freshmen (56.2 ± 6.1 cm); sophomores (58 ± 8.5 cm); juniors (64.4 ± 6.3 cm). Mean power score was 2095.5 ± 395.2 Watts. Power scores by classification were: freshmen (2149.6 ± 411.9W); sophomores (2119.7 ± 423.4W); and juniors (2029 ± 346.6W). CONCLUSIONS: RESULTS indicated no significant relationship between 1RM squat strength and vertical jump (r = 0.09, p = 0.51) and vertical jump and power score (r = −0.11, p = 0.42). However, a significant relationship did exist between 1RM squat strength and power score (r = 0.48, p = 0.0002). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The findings from the current study show that calculating power scores could be a valuable assessment tool for coaches or practitioners to evaluate potential weightlifting performance based on the moderate relationship observed.