Relationship between jump capacity and performance in BMX cycling

Abstract

The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between the results obtained on different vertical jump tests and the top score recorded during a BMX (Bicycle Mo-to-Cross) test and the rider's performance. To do so, 10 BMX pilots participated in this study; 5 regarded as the élite group (EG) (age: 18.8 ± 3.7, weight: 68.4 ± 8.5 kg, height: 174 ± 9 cm and previous BMX experience: 8 ± 3.8 years) and 5 regarded as the recreational group (RG) (age: 19.8 ± 4.8, weight: 69.2 ± 11.7 kg, height: 170 ± 9 cm, previous BMX experience: 4.2 ± 1.3 years). Vertical jump capacity was obtained using the Bosco protocol, i.e. vertical squat jump (SJ), vertical countermovement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ) and repetitive jump (RJ), and time in race in a BMX circuit was determined. The results indicate a direct relationship between the time used to complete the circuit and the height of the jump reached in SJ (r: -.801; p:.017), CMJ (r: -.798; p:.018) and DJ (r: -.782; p:.022). This all suggests that assessing jump capacity using the Bosco test may be a useful tool for assessing BMX performance.