Comparison of Various Devices Used in the Evaluation of Vertical Jump Height

Abstract

This study aimed to compare force plate, motion analysis, and mobile application methods for calculating vertical jump height. Twenty-nine male college students (age: 22.4 ± 1.0 years; height: 178.1 ± 6.2cm; body weight: 71.2 ± 8.0 kg) voluntarily participated in the study. Two countermovement jumps (CMJ) with 1-minute intervals on a force platform (BERTEC 4060-10) were performed. The countermovement jump performances were captured using an iPhone 11 (Apple Inc., USA). The experimental setup involved using three high-speed cameras, specifically the My Jump 2 and SIMI Motion 7.5. Obtained results from hip displacement (HD) data with motion analysis system showed that participants had significantly lower vertical jump height calculated from motion capture (p = 0.01; -8.3 ± 3.86, 95%CI; MyJump2-SIMI_HD = 1.24/3.30). It was also found that calculations from left and right foot displacement were higher than My Jump 2 results (95%CI; MyJump2-SIMI_RF = 0.66/2.93) and 95%CI (MyJump2-SIMI_LF) = (-0.63/2.65). In contrast, force plate calculations, known as the gold standard in the literature, were very similar to My Jump (95%CI; MyJumpII-FP) = (2.38/4.01). The findings indicate that the My Jump 2, used for assessing vertical jump height, may be a reliable alternative for determining vertical jump height instead of setting up gold standard methods. Individuals' athletic performance abilities and birth, gender, and sports preferences should be considered. Finally, when coaches or sports scientists intend to measure CMJ, My Jump 2 application can be recommended as a laboratory application as well as a practical and valid measurement method, especially for field applications.