Back-squat warm-up raises selected jump scores, study finds
A crossover study of 20 male college players found higher scores in selected jump tests after back-squat conditioning than after comparison warm-ups. Sprint and change-of-direction tests showed no significant differences.
A randomized crossover study published November 4 involved 20 male collegiate basketball players. Players completed back-squat, barbell hip-thrust, and basketball-specific warm-up sessions before testing.1
After back-squat conditioning, players scored higher on countermovement and approach vertical jumps than after either comparison session. Standing long-jump scores were higher after back squats than after the control warm-up, but sprint and change-of-direction tests showed no significant differences.1
The authors said the fixed test order made it hard to separate task differences from elapsed time and fatigue. They limited the findings to 20 male collegiate players and the tested loads, rest periods, and recovery time. The authors also said the average countermovement- and approach-jump differences fell below approximate individual detectable-change benchmarks.1
