Start Date
23-4-2026 12:00 AM
Description
In recent years, force plate vertical jump testing has greatly increased in popularity in the strength and conditioning space. PURPOSE: To examine any potential relationships between force plate vertical jump parameters and more traditional metrics of weightlifting performance such as snatch to clean and jerk ratio. METHODS: 14 male and 18 female collegiate weightlifters completed three rounds of countermovement vertical jumps with 30 seconds of rest between attempts. Competition results from all 2025 competitions were used to generate best Total, Sinclair points, Q-points, and best Snatch to Clean and Jerk Ratio. RESULTS: Vertical jump height, peak propulsive force, Sinclair, and Q-points were significantly greater in males vs females (p< 0.001), though no sex differences were detected in snatch to clean and jerk ratio (p=0.740). In the full sample, jump height displayed strong positive relationships with Total (R=0.707, p< 0.001), Q-points (R=0.842, p< 0.001), and Sinclair (R=0.847, p< 0.001). Peak propulsive force showed moderate correlations with the same outcome variables (R=0.586-0.776, p< 0.001), while snatch to clean and jerk ratio was not correlated with any outcome (R=0.034–0.240, p≥0.185). CONCLUSIONS: Vertical jump metrics appear to have a stronger relationship with key weightlifting performance parameters compared to more traditional metrics such as strength ratios.
Research Highlights
-
The Problem: Researchers sought to determine if force plate vertical jump parameters serve as effective predictors for traditional Olympic weightlifting performance metrics like the snatch to clean and jerk ratio.
-
The Method: Investigators utilized Hawkin Dynamics dual force platforms to measure three trials of arm-akimbo countermovement vertical jumps from a sample of 14 male and 18 female collegiate weightlifters, correlating these results with 2025 competition data including Total, Sinclair points, and Q-points.
-
Quantitative Finding: Males exhibited significantly higher jump heights than females; jump height strongly correlated with Q-points and Sinclair points; peak propulsive force showed moderate correlations with performance; no significant sex difference or performance correlation was found for the snatch to clean and jerk ratio .
-
Finding: Vertical jump force metrics provide a stronger relationship with key weightlifting performance parameters than traditional strength ratios, suggesting these metrics are superior tools for athlete monitoring and talent identification.
Recommended Citation
Tice, James L.; Lackey, Calvin J.; Smith, Robert W.; Sutherland, Kyle L.; and Harty, Patrick S., "Positive Correlations Between Olympic Weightlifting Performance and Countermovement Vertical Jumping Performance" (2026). 2026 Student Academic Showcase. 23.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/src_2026/Posters/1/23
Included in
Positive Correlations Between Olympic Weightlifting Performance and Countermovement Vertical Jumping Performance
In recent years, force plate vertical jump testing has greatly increased in popularity in the strength and conditioning space. PURPOSE: To examine any potential relationships between force plate vertical jump parameters and more traditional metrics of weightlifting performance such as snatch to clean and jerk ratio. METHODS: 14 male and 18 female collegiate weightlifters completed three rounds of countermovement vertical jumps with 30 seconds of rest between attempts. Competition results from all 2025 competitions were used to generate best Total, Sinclair points, Q-points, and best Snatch to Clean and Jerk Ratio. RESULTS: Vertical jump height, peak propulsive force, Sinclair, and Q-points were significantly greater in males vs females (p< 0.001), though no sex differences were detected in snatch to clean and jerk ratio (p=0.740). In the full sample, jump height displayed strong positive relationships with Total (R=0.707, p< 0.001), Q-points (R=0.842, p< 0.001), and Sinclair (R=0.847, p< 0.001). Peak propulsive force showed moderate correlations with the same outcome variables (R=0.586-0.776, p< 0.001), while snatch to clean and jerk ratio was not correlated with any outcome (R=0.034–0.240, p≥0.185). CONCLUSIONS: Vertical jump metrics appear to have a stronger relationship with key weightlifting performance parameters compared to more traditional metrics such as strength ratios.