2.9. Data Analysis of Muscle Performance
The force–time variables computed from the countermovement jump and squat jump included jump height and peak force (the highest force value reached during each ballistic test). In addition to these variables, for the bench press throw test, the fastest mean concentric velocity of the bar was also recorded. For the isometric MVC tests, the peak force was determined as the highest force value reached during each mid-thigh pull and bench press attempt. The maximum RFD was additionally analyzed for each attempt as the highest peak force–time curve slope using 20-ms time windows [Vertical jump height was calculated based on the approximation of kinematic laws by measuring the individual flight time. The flight time was measured with an electronic apparatus (Chronojump Boscosystems, Barcelona, Spain). The Chronojump consists of a digital timer (+0.001 s) connected by a cable to a resistive (or capacitive) platform. The timer is triggered by the participant’s take off from the platform and is stopped at the moment of touch down [A previously validated linear position transducer (Chronojump Boscosystems, Barcelona, Spain) was used to measure movement velocity during the bench press throw tests [