Date of Award
Fall 10-19-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Kinesiology (EdD)
Department
Kinesiology
Abstract
Monitoring neuromuscular performance across a competitive season is essential for managing training load, recovery, and readiness in elite athletes. Force plate–derived metrics from the hands-on-hips countermovement jump (HOH CMJ) are commonly used to assess neuromuscular status, yet limited longitudinal data exist in NCAA Division I men’s basketball, particularly on game days. The purpose of this study was to examine seasonal changes in HOH CMJ force-time metrics across three competitive phases—non-conference, conference, and postseason—in Division I men’s basketball players.
Nine NCAA Division I scholarship athletes performed three HOH CMJs on force plates within 30 minutes of game time throughout the 2024–2025 season. Force plate metrics were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc Least Significant Difference tests and Cohen’s d effect sizes. Metrics examined included jump height, reactive strength index (RSI), modified reactive strength index (mRSI), time to takeoff, force, velocity, impulse, and power variables.
Significant improvements were observed in RSI, mRSI, and peak propulsive power (PPP) across the season. RSI and mRSI increased significantly from both non-conference and conference phases to the postseason, indicating enhanced neuromuscular efficiency and stretch-shortening cycle utilization. PPP also increased significantly in the postseason, though with small effect sizes. No significant changes were detected in jump height or other force-time variables.
These findings suggest that strategy-based CMJ metrics, particularly RSI and mRSI, are more sensitive indicators of neuromuscular adaptation and readiness than outcome-only measures in elite collegiate basketball players. The results support the integration of HOH CMJ force plate monitoring on game days to inform individualized training, recovery, and performance planning across a competitive season.