Comparison of 3 Alternative Systems for Measuring Vertical Jump Height

Abstract

Muscular power is a skill-related component of physical fitness and is most often associated with athletic performance. A simple and effective way to measure lower body muscular power is the vertical jump test. PURPOSE: To compare 3 different vertical jump measurement devices and to determine the reliability of the 3 devices. METHODS: A convenience sample of 30 college students (16 males and 14 females; mean age 20.7 ± 3.3 years), volunteered to participate in this study. The vertical jump heights were determined by the 3 devices (Just Jump™ mat, Vertec™, and the Vert™ device) simultaneously. The Just Jump™ mat was placed on the ground next to the Vertec™, and the subject wore wear the Vert™ device, clipped to their waist, while jumping. The subjects completed a brief, dynamic warm-up prior to performing the counter movement vertical jumps. Each subject was allowed 2 submaximal effort practice jumps prior to performing 5 maximum effort vertical jumps. After each jump, the 3 measurements were recorded. Each subject completed a 2nd series of 5 jumps 2-3 days after the first testing session. The protocol for the 2nd day was exactly the same as the first day. An ANOVA was used to determine differences between vertical jump heights between the 3 measurement devices and a paired T-test was used to compare vertical jump measurements between the 2 testing days on each device. Significance was defined as p < .05 for all statistical calculations. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in vertical jump heights measured between the 3 devices on either day (Day 1 - Just Jump™ mat: 21.2 ± 6.2 in.; Vertec™: 21.0 ± 6.2 in.; Vert™: 20.1 ± 4.9 in.; p = 0.227; Day 2 - Just Jump™ mat: 21.2 ± 6.0 in.; Vertec™: 21.1 ± 6.2 in.; Vert™: 20.2 ± 4.9 in.; p = 0.233). In addition, there were no significant differences between the vertical jumps between the 2 days for any of the devices (Just Jump™ mat: p = 0.616; Vertec™: p = 0.141; Vert™: p = 0.897). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that the Vert™ device recorded values approximately 1 inch lower than the Vertec™ and the Just Jump™ mat, however, the difference was not statistically significant. In addition, all 3 devices recorded similar measurements on both days of testing. Based on these results, any one of the 3 devices would be adequate to provide consistent and reliable vertical jump results in a field setting.