Relationships among measurements of explosive strength and anaerobic power

Traditionally, the term “explosive strength” (or explosive power) has been used to define the type of activity that requires a relatively short, all-out muscular effort. This type of strength has been related to the mechanical concept of power, that is, to the time rate of work performance. For example, it was assumed for years that the vertical jump was a measurement of explosive strength. Adamson and Whitney (1971) and Barlow (1970) contend that the vertical jump is not a measure of human power. It also has been suggested that similar results could be found in activities such as throws or in projections of the body. In other words, the vertical jump is more a measurement of impulse (f × t) than of power.