Force Plate Assessment of Neuromuscular Jump Performance Under Loaded and Unloaded Conditions in Military Personnel

Abstract

Background: Military personnel are required to perform high-intensity actions and tactical tasks under external load, which increases system weight and alters movement mechanics. Understanding how these loaded conditions influence neuromuscular performance is essential for informing physical preparation and readiness monitoring. This study quantified the effects of tactical equipment on countermovement jump (CMJ) and countermovement rebound jump (CMRJ) force–time characteristics in active military personnel and evaluated the within-session reliability of these metrics under loaded and unloaded conditions; (2) Methods: Eighteen male soldiers performed CMJ and CMRJ assessments on dual force plates (1000 Hz) under unloaded and loaded conditions (standardized tactical equipment: 10.6 ± 1.18 kg). Force–time variables were categorized as strategy (phase durations, countermovement depth), driver (mean braking and propulsive force), and outcome (jump height, jump momentum, and modified reactive strength index; mRSI) metrics; (3) Results: CMJ outcome and driver metrics demonstrated good to excellent reliability under load (ICC ≥ 0.87; CV ≤ 8.4%), whereas CMRJ outcome variables showed reduced reliability and greater variability. Loaded conditions reduced jump height and mRSI in both CMJ and CMRJ (p < 0.05), while jump momentum and absolute mean force production increased, whereas force production relative to body mass decreased. During the CMJ (slow-SSC), participants exhibited longer braking and propulsive phase durations, indicating a temporal change in movement strategy under load, whereas CMRJ (fast-SSC) force–time characteristics showed increased contact time and reduced rebound metrics; (4) Conclusions: Overall, fast stretch–shortening cycle tasks appear more sensitive to loading conditions, whereas the CMJ provides a more robust and reliable assessment for monitoring neuromuscular performance in military personnel, particularly when considering both absolute and relative force responses.