Effect of movement goal on countermovement jump performance: An exploratory analysis of different sporting demands

This study explored the influence of different counter movement jump (CMJ) goals on performance, kinetic, and kinematic variables between 56 elite track and field (T&F), football, and futsal athletes. Within and between-sport difference were compared when using the goals: (a) “jump as high as possible” (CMJh) and (b) “jump as fast as possible” (CMJf), using a mixed MANOVA and follow-up univariate mixed ANOVAs. Movement goals had a significant main effect on all variables (p < .001). Compared to CMJh, CMJf elicited higher mean propulsive power normalized to body mass (MPPbm ) and reactive strength index (RSI), alongside lower jump height, contraction time (CT), propulsive displacement, and countermovement velocity (CMvelocity). Sport interaction analyses revealed that T&F athletes consistently outperformed the other sports in RSI across both movement goals. Significant differences in MPPbm and CT emerged between T&F and football. Additionally, a significant interaction between Movement goal and Sport was found for CMvelocity, indicated that T&F and football athletes increased their CM velocity under CMJh, while futsal players maintained similar downward velocities across both movement goals. In conclusion, movement goals significantly modify CMJ performance variables in elite athletes, and these effects are further influenced by sport specialization. Furthermore, adaptations in motor control processes according to the specific movement goals emphasize the need for task-specific and context-relevant communication. Coaches should align goal instructions with both the targeted task goals and the athletes’ sporting context to optimize training outcomes and athlete assessment.