Can Jump Tests Replace Squats? — with Mary Claire Geneau

Can Jump Tests Replace Squats? — with Mary Claire Geneau

From Evidence Strong | Weightlifting Science by Evidence Strong

April 7, 2026 · 21 min · Episode 135

About this episode

Dr. Mary Claire Geneau discusses the comparison between jump tests and back squats for strength testing in sports.

🏋️‍♀️ Extended version of this interview: https://www.patreon.com/posts/154060814 🏋️‍♀️ Strength testing is gaining popularity in many sports nowadays. With wider availability in measurement technologies, strength testing is also becoming fast and easy. But the thing is, sometimes it is too much data to handle. You could be testing hundreds of tasks, but you probably shouldn't. Dr. Mary Claire Geneau compared back squat and jump tests (loaded and unloaded) to see if one can be eliminated but still deliver the information coaches need. Mary Claire (MC) is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the University of Victoria and Canadian Sport Institute-Pacific, and is a sport scientist with the Professional Women's Hockey League in Vancouver, BC. MC has over a decade of S&C and sport science experience, working with several Canadian national teams, including soccer, volleyball, rowing, freestyle skiing, field hockey, and triathlon. MC’s PhD research focused on the analytical and practical aspects of lower-body strength diagnosis using force platforms, and her current research focuses on leveraging wearable and microsensor technologies to quantify athlete load and performance…

People in this episode

Host: Evidence Strong

Guest: Mary Claire Geneau

Topics covered

  • strength testing
  • jump tests
  • back squat
  • sports science
  • athlete performance

Keywords

  • strength testing
  • jump tests
  • back squat
  • sports science
  • athlete performance
  • wearable technology
  • force platforms

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Victoria, Canadian Sport Institute-Pacific, Professional Women's Hockey League, Biomechanics

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