Countermovement jumping profiles by position in baseball using principal component analysis

This study explored whether player position in baseball influenced countermovement jumping strategies and their resultant force-time profiles. Subjects performed a series of three countermovement jumps on a force platform. Eccentric rate of force development (RFD), peak concentric force, countermovement depth and jump time variables were extracted from the force-time curve. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed two principal components that accounted for 73% of the variance of vertical jump height. Comparisons between position groups (i.e., outfielder, infielder, catcher, or pitcher) revealed position-specific strategies.