A systematic review of the different calculation methods for measuring jump height during the countermovement and drop jump tests

Xu, J; Turner, A; Comfort, P; Harry, J; McMahon, JJ; Chavda, S; Bishop, C

Abstract

Background
The height obtained during the countermovement jump (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ) tests have been
measured by numerous studies using different calculation methods and pieces of equipment.
However, the differences in calculation methods and equipment used have resulted in discrepancies
in jump height being reported.
Objectives
The aim of this systematic review was to examine the available literature pertaining to the different
calculation methods to estimate the jump height during the CMJ and DJ.
Methods
A systematic review of the literature was undertaken using the SPORTDiscus, Medline, CINAHL, and
PubMed electronic databases, with all articles required to meet specified criteria based on a quality
scoring system.
Results
Twenty-one articles met the inclusion criteria, relating various calculation methods and equipment
employed when measuring jump height in either of these two tests. The flight time and jump and
reach methods provide practitioners with jump height data in the shortest time, but their accuracy is
affected by factors such as: participant conditions or equipment sensitivity. The motion capture
systems and the double integration method measure the jump height from the centre of mass height
at the initial flat foot standing to the apex of jumping, where the centre of mass displacement
generated by the ankle plantarflexion is known. The impulse-momentum and flight time methods
could only measure the jump height from the centre of mass height at the instant of take-off to the
apex of jumping, thus, providing statistically significantly lower jump height values compared to the
former two methods. However, further research is warranted to investigate the reliability of each
calculation method when using different equipment settings.
Conclusions
Our findings indicate that using the impulse-momentum method via a force platform is the most
appropriate way for the jump height from the instant of take-off to the apex of jumping to be
measured. Alternatively, the double integration method via a force platform is preferred to quantify
the jump height from the initial flat foot standing to the apex of jumping.

Citation

Xu, J., Turner, A., Comfort, P., Harry, J., McMahon, J., Chavda, S., & Bishop, C. (in press). A systematic review of the different calculation methods for measuring jump height during the countermovement and drop jump tests. Sports Medicine, 11, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01828-x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 19, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Mar 20, 2023
• Deposit Date: Feb 20, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 21, 2024
• Journal: Sports Medicine
• Print ISSN: 0112-1642
• Electronic ISSN: 1179-2035
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Volume: 11
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01828-x
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01828-x