Abstract

This pilot exploratory study compared countermovement jump (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ) force-time characteristics between competitive male soccer players and physically active non-soccer participants. Thirty-five healthy participants (15 soccer players; 20 non-soccer participants) completed CMJ and DJ assessments using dual force plates sampling at 1000 Hz. Variables related to explosive force production, reactive strength, landing force characteristics, and interlimb asymmetry were analyzed. Independent-samples t-tests were used for group comparisons, and Hedges’ g was calculated to support effect-size interpretation in this small sample. Soccer players demonstrated greater CMJ relative peak take-off force, relative peak power, relative rate of force development, take-off velocity, jump height, and modified reactive strength index compared with non-soccer participants (p < 0.01). During DJ’s, soccer players demonstrated greater jump height, reactive strength index, take-off velocity, relative impulse, and relative peak take-off force alongside shorter ground contact times (p < 0.01). Soccer players also demonstrated lower CMJ relative landing force and lower DJ initial landing force. No significant differences were observed for interlimb asymmetry between groups. These preliminary findings suggest selected CMJ and DJ force-time variables may be sensitive to neuromuscular profile differences between competitive soccer players and physically active non-soccer participants. Force-plate-derived profiling may provide useful information for athlete monitoring beyond jump height alone; however, larger studies including soccer-specific performance outcomes are required to confirm the practical relevance of these findings.