Sex- and Position-Specific Countermovement Jump Outcome and Phase Characteristics in Australian Rules Football Players.

Abstract

Abstract: Edwards, PK, Blackah, N, Ebert, JR, and Chapman, D. Sex- and position-specific countermovement jump outcome and phase characteristics in Australian rules football players. J Strength Cond Res 39(6): e774-e780, 2025-This study was designed to examine positional and sex differences in countermovement jump (CMJ) force-time characteristics among subelite male ( n = 111) and female ( n = 71) Australian football (AF) players and establish normative data for key performance output metrics. A total of 182 male and female players performed 3 maximal effort CMJs on dual force plates. Differences in variables including jump height, peak power, modified reactive strength index (RSI MOD ), and other force-time variables were compared using 1-way ANOVA and Cohen's d effect sizes. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Male players demonstrated significantly greater jump height (36.0 ± 5.2 cm vs. 25.9 ± 4.2 cm; p < 0.001) and RSI MOD (0.52 ± 0.11 vs. 0.39 ± 0.09; p < 0.001) compared with female players, with large effect sizes ( d = 1.18 and 2.08, respectively). Positional differences were observed in both sexes. Male midfielders exhibited a significantly shorter time to takeoff compared with backs (mean difference, -67.1 ms; p = 0.008). Female midfielders, compared with backs, also recorded significantly shorter time to takeoff (mean difference, -79.0 ms; p = 0.014) and higher RSI MOD values (mean difference, 0.05; p = 0.048). No significant differences were found in jump height or peak power between playing positions for either sex. These findings highlight different performance profiles between sexes and playing positions in AF, offering practitioners normative benchmarks to guide return-to-play decisions and optimize player physical development.