The purpose of this Master thesis was to determine whether the countermovement jump (CMJ) is sensitive enough to detect neuromuscular fatigue after a maximum oxygen consumption test and whether there is a connection between subjective and objective measures of neuromuscular fatigue (NMF). We also investigated whether there is a relationship between parameters of the CMJ and aerobic power in military personnel. The study involved 34 soldiers from the Slovenian Armed Forces (34 ± 7.06 years; 178.1 ± 9.30 cm; 82.76 ± 14.18 kg) who had not reported musculoskeletal injuries or health problems in the last six months. Measurements were conducted in the facilities of the Faculty of Sports. The participants performed a maximum oxygen consumption test on a treadmill, and before and after the test, the NM status was measured using the CMJ and squat jump (SJ). During a multi-stage incremental test, with a 1 km/h increase in running speed every 2 minutes at a constant incline, gas exchange was measured, and VO2max and VCO2max were determined. Using the Brockway equation, the maximal aerobic power (Eaero) was calculated for each participant. Parameters of the CMJ and SJ were used as an objective measure of NMF. We used jump height, relative maximal power, jump time, modified reactive strength index (RSI_mod), the ratio between eccentric utilization ratio (EUR), ratio between flight time and contect time (FT:CT) and the ratio between SJ/CMJ for the variables: jump height, relative maximal power and relative maximal force. Additionally, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed using the Borg CR10 scale before and after the test. Paired t-tests were used to assess differences in initial CMJ parameters before and after the test, revealing a 2% increase in relative maximal power and a 6.5% increase in the SJ/CMJ_relative maximal force parameter after the test. Bivariate correlation was used to examine the relationships between initial CMJ parameters and RPE and the relationships between CMJ parameters and Eaero. Although no statistically significant correlations were found, it is important to emphasize that improving physical fitness involves the interaction of multiple organic system and taking subjective perception of effort into account.
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