Running head: RESEARCH QUESTION 1

Section: Research Question

Name

Institution

Date of Submission
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Section One: Research Question

Research Question

RQ: What is the effect of long and short-term jump squat training with and without elastic bands

and chains on jump height and power?

Rationale for the Research Question

Performance in sports is dependent on an individual’s power and strength. The ability of

an individual to jump high depends on their lower body strength and body, which makes jumping

high an easy test of measuring body power and strength (Archer, et al., 2016; Neelly, Terry, &

Morris, 2010). Some of the most common component of traditional training that aims at

enhancing power and strength of the lower body is jump squats and back squats (McKenzie et

al., 2014; Dalen et al., 2013). One of the popular form of resistance training is the inclusion of

elastic bands and chains to add resistance during lifting in both jump and jump squats. The

overall resistance depends on where the chains or elastic bands are placed. Width and length of

the chains and the elastic bands affect the overall resistance (Nelly, Terry, & Morris, 2010;

McMaster, Cronin, & McGuigan, 2010, 2009). However, function of displacement of the two

differs significantly. Elastic bands have a curvilinear length-tension relationship, unlike chains

which have a length-tension relationship that is linear in nature (McMaster, Cronin, &

McGuigan, 2010, 2009; Archer, et al., 2016). Although multiple studies have studied the effect

of the two forms of variable resistance training in improving strength and power, the research on

the short-term effects of such training on jump height is minimal. Furthermore, research on how

the length-tension relationship of both elastic bands and chains affects the lower body and

strength is non-existent.

Study Design
RESEARCH QUESTION 3

The research question can best be answered by a double blind randomized controlled trial

(DBRCT). Such a design is characterized by randomization of participants into either the

intervention group (s) or the control treatment, use of control group who do not receive treatment

as a comparison group for those who receive the treatment, and blinding of both the intervention

groups and the investigator (Misra, 2012). As such, the proposed design would involve randomly

assigning participants into either the group using the elastic bands, the chains or the control

group that does not participate into either intervention. Information on the trials would be

masked from the investigator and the participants to eliminate bias (Misra, 2012).

Strengths of the Design

Randomized controlled trials are the golden standards of intervention research. Their

reliability and validity is well known (Feys, Bekkering, & Devroey, 2013). Some of the key

strength of the proposed study design include: (a) random assignment eliminates selection bias

by removing any known or unknown confounding factors as it prevents association of

intervention with any known or unknown factors, (b) it eliminates reporting bias, as blinding and

randomization when combined together allows for equal treatment of participants and (c), double

blinding eliminates contamination, through exchange of information among different

intervention groups (Misra, 2012).

Weaknesses of the Design

Although DBRCTs are the golden standard for trials, they still have their limitations. The

first and most significant limitation is that they can be time consuming and expensive.

Randomization and blinding requires stringent recruitment methods and extra researchers to

manage the process which may add up to the cost and time (Feys, Bekkering, & Devroey, 2013).

The other limitations include, high attrition or losses rates, withdrawals after randomization,
RESEARCH QUESTION 4

enrollment of ineligible participants and also noncompliance (Misra, 2012). For example, the

research question requires recruitment of weight lifters who have engaged in similar exercises.

The potential for non-compliance in this population is high as they are more likely to continue

with their previous routines.

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References

Archer, D., Brwon, L., Coburn, J., Galpin, A., Drouct, P., & Leyva, M. C. (2016). Effects of

Short-Term Jump Squat Training With and Without Chains on Strength and Power in

Recreational Lifters. International Journal of Kinesiology & Sports Science, 4(4), 1-7.

Dalen, T., Welde, B., Van Den Tillaar, R., & Aune, T. K. (2013). Effect of Single vs. Multi Joint

Ballistic Resistance Training Upon Vertical Jump Performance. Acta Kinesiologiae

Tartuensis, 19(1), 86-97.

Feys, F., Bekkering, G., & Devroey, D. (2013). Do Randomized Clinical trials with Inadequate

Blinding Report Enhanced Placebo Effects for Intervention Groups and Nocebo Effects

for Placebo Groups. Systematic Reviews, 21(3), 14-20.

MacKenzie, S. J., Lavers, R. J., & Wallace, B. B. (2014). A Biomechanical Comparison of the

Vertical Jump, Power Clean, and Jump Squart. Journal of Sports Sciences, 1-10.

McMaster, T., Cronin, J., & McGuigan, M. (2009). Forms of Variable Resistance Training.

Strength and Conditioning Journal, 31(1), 50-64.

McMaster, T., Cronin, J., & McGuigan, M. (2010). Quantification of Rubber and Chain-Based

Resistance Modes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 24(8), 2056-2064.

Misra, S. (2012). Randomized Double Blind Placebo Control Studies, the Golden Standard in

Intervention Based Studies. Indian Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS,

33(2), 131-134.

Neelly, K. R., Terry, J. G., & Morris, M. J. (2010). A Mechanical Comparison of Linear and

Double-Looped Hung Supplemental Heavy Chain Resistance to the Back Squat: A Case

Study. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 24(1), 278-281.