Characterization and Comparison of Maximum Isometric Strength and Vertical Jump Among Novice Runners, Long Distance Runners, and Ultramarathoners

The main objective of this paper is to explore and compare the characteristics of the maximum isometric force (FIM) of the hip and knee musculature in runners with different years and volume of training, as well as the manifestation of the stretch-shortening cycle (CEA) through the evaluation of the vertical jump. The participants of this study are 10 novice runners (N), 8 long distance (LD) and 6 mountain ultramarathoners (U), belonging to Team Mora, from Santiago, Chile. The main measures for this study are: Dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) hip extensors and abductors FIM; FIM of knee extensors and flexors D and ND were measured using a load cell. The squat jump (SJ), as well as the bipodal and unipodal D and ND countermovement jump (CMJ) were measured with a force platform, as a measure of explosive (FE) and elastic explosive (FEE) strength.as results, the main significant differences are given in the hip extensor muscles D (N < LD, LD < U, U > N); in the hip extensor muscles ND (LD < U and U > N); in the hip abductor muscles D and ND (N < LD and U > N) and in the knee extensor muscles D (U > N). The U have less ability to jump than LD and N. it can be concluded that runners with higher training volume have higher levels of FIM and lower levels of FEE than those with lower volume. The N runners are characterized by having a lower FIM than the LD runners.