Discrepancy Among Different Methods for Vertical Jump Height Determination and Its Implications for Field-Based Testing: A Narrative Review

Abstract

ABSTRACT Vertical jump height is a widely used variable in sport science and physical education. This narrative review summarizes various numerical methods used to calculate vertical jump height. In force plate technology, the jump height is most commonly calculated using the flight time (FT) or the takeoff velocity (TOV), which provide only the distance traveled in the air and neglect the center of mass (CoM) elevation before the jump. However, CoM is already elevated before the takeoff, mainly due to plantar flexion of the ankles. Double integration methods can be used to circumvent this issue. In field-based testing, the “heel lift constant” can be added to flight height to more accurately determine the jump height according to the biomechanical definition (the vertical difference in body’s CoM between standing position and the apex of the jump). A high degree of caution should be used when comparing the data from previous studies.