Countermovement jump performance in Malaysian young wushu athletes: normative values and sex-based differences

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18002/rama.v20i2.2514

Keywords:

Martial arts, combat sports, wushu, vertical jump, biomechanics, young athletes, sport science

Agencies:

The authors and/or project received no funding

Abstract

Wushu, commonly known as kung-fu, is a demanding sport requiring rapid force application to achieve significant vertical jump heights. These jumps are integral for executing complex aerial tasks and obtaining higher performance scores. Purpose: This study aimed to establish normative data for countermovement jump (CMJ) performance parameters in elite wushu athletes. Methods: A cross-sectional design was implemented at the 2022 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) wushu competition with 115 athletes (males=67). Each athlete performed three CMJs with hands akimbo on a pair of force platforms. Performance and biomechanical data (vertical jump height, peak relative propulsive power, peak relative propulsive force, modified reactive strength index, and relative propulsive net impulse) were collected using Hawkins Dynamics software. An ANCOVA was used to compare CMJ parameters across sex and events, controlling for age and body mass. Normative data were established using t-scores. Results: The ANCOVA indicated that CMJ and biomechanical variables differed by sex and age (p<0.01), but not by event. Conclusion: These normative values provide a baseline for understanding CMJ performance in elite wushu athletes and may guide further exploration of training adaptations, injury risk assessment, and performance optimization. However, additional research is warranted to fully validate and expand on the potential practical applications of these findings.

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Author Biographies

Erik C.H. Tan, Division of Sports Performance, National Sports Institute of Malaysia

Erik C.H. Tan, M.S., (Malaysia) holds an M.S. and is associated with the Division of Sports Performance at the National Sports Institute of Malaysia. His research includes studies on vertical jump performance and body composition in athletes, particularly wushu athletes, and the strength and power profiles of world-class wushu Taolu athletes. He has contributed to publications on the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on athlete performance and sports nutrition. E-mail: eriktan@isn.gov.my

Dan Río-Rodríguez, Learning and Human Movement Control Group, Department of Physical Education and Sport Faculty of Sports Sciences and Physical Education, University of A Coruna

Dan Río-Rodríguez, Ph.D., (Spain) is part of the Learning and Human Movement Control Group within the Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sports Sciences and Physical Education, at the University of A Coruña, Spain. His research interests include the effects of set configuration in resistance exercise on muscle fatigue and cardiovascular responses, and he has published on topics related to sleep and activity patterns. Dr. Rio-Rordiguez is also a world-class wushu athlete and has competed at multiple World Wushu and European Championships representing team Spain. E-mail: dan.rio@udc.es

Ariel Mancilla, College of Sports Science and Technology, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus

Ariel Mancilla, M.S., (Chile) is associated with the Chile Wushu Federation in Chile. Ariel is also a world-class wushu athlete and has competed at multiple World Wushu Championships and Panamerican Championships representing team Chile. E-mail: ariel.mancilla@wushuchile.com

Matthew P. Gonzalez, Department of Kinesiology, University of Texas at San Antonio

Matthew P. Gonzalez, Ph.D., (United States) is currently a postdoctoral scholar is in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Texas at San Antonio, USA. His research includes studies on sprint profiles, jumping performance, and physical fitness in various athlete populations, including track and field sprinters and martial artists. E-mail: matthew.gonzalez2@utsa.edu

Samuel Montalvo, Stanford Sports Cardiology, Stanford University

Samuel Montalvo, Ph.D., (Mexico) is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance and Stanford Cardiovascular Institute at Stanford University, California, USA. He is also a clinical exercise physiologist and sport biomechanist. His research focuses on understanding the mechanical, molecular, and physiological mechanisms of human performance, utilizing data from projects like the Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC). He also works on developing exercise prescriptions and testing guidelines for individuals with neuromuscular disorders. Dr. Montalvo has also represented team Mexico at many World and Panamerican competitions. E-mail: smontal@stanford.edu

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Published

2025-08-05

How to Cite

Tan, E. C., Río-Rodríguez, D., Mancilla, A., Gonzalez, M. P., & Montalvo, S. (2025). Countermovement jump performance in Malaysian young wushu athletes: normative values and sex-based differences. Revista de Artes Marciales Asiáticas, 20(2), 209–219. https://doi.org/10.18002/rama.v20i2.2514

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Erik C.H. Tan, Dan Rio-Rodríguez, Ariel Mancilla, Matthew P. Gonzalez, Samuel Montalvo

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