Vertical jump
Vertical jumping involves propelling the body upward from a stationary position using only muscle force, with the height achieved often serving as a performance measure in sports like basketball, football, and track and field. There are two primary types of vertical jumps: the standing vertical jump, which starts from a static position, and the running vertical jump, which utilizes an approach to enhance elevation. The standing vertical jump is typically measured by marking the highest points reached both when standing and mid-jump, with the difference indicating the jump's height. Various tools, such as the Vertec apparatus and jump mats, can be used for more precise measurements in professional settings.
Achieving a high vertical jump relies on a combination of physical strength, technique, and proper body mechanics, including arm swings and knee bends. Strength training exercises like squats and deadlifts are commonly incorporated to enhance leg and upper body power. Notably, professional athletes often demonstrate impressive vertical jumps, with NBA players frequently reporting jumps exceeding forty inches, making vertical jump records notable in competitive sports. Overall, vertical jumping is not only a test of athletic ability but also a point of competition and admiration among athletes.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Vertical jump
Vertical jumping is the act of propelling one’s body upward along a vertical plane from a stationary position using only muscle force. “Vertical jump” is also a term used to express the measure of this elevation in terms of height off the ground. Such a jump is most often performed in athletics and professional sports, such as basketball, football, and track and field. It is a measure of performance and can assess strength and improvement over time. As with many other physical feats, the measure of one’s vertical jump is a matter of interpersonal competition among some athletes.
Overview
There are generally two types of vertical jumps. The running vertical jump involves an accelerated approach to improve elevation. The more common and accepted type is the standing vertical jump. Though the vertical jump is considered by some to be the ability to jump from a standstill onto a higher surface, it is more generally a straightforward measure of elevation off the ground.
The standing vertical jump is done from a static position, with the jumper standing against a wall. One of the most basic ways to make a measurement is for the jumper to make a mark on the wall indicating the highest point his or her arms can reach while keeping both feet flat on the ground; then he or she must mark the wall again mid-jump to indicate the highest point reached while jumping. The distance between the two marks is the measure of the jump. In more sophisticated or professional settings, the vertical jump can be measured through a variety of means. The Vertec tool, for example, is an adjustable pole with movable vanes that a jumper must move to indicate how high he or she jumped. Another tool is a jump mat that attaches a belt and measuring tape to the jumper. Some electrical measures use a pressure-sensitive jump-timing mat or infrared lasers.
Performing a high vertical jump requires a combination of technique and physical strength to increase force and velocity. Countermovements such as swinging one’s arms upward and bending one’s knees are crucial components of higher jumps. Muscle strength in the legs, upper body, and back is also necessary to maximize height gain. Common exercises include variations on squats and deadlifts to increase kick power. For these reasons, professional athletes have particularly high vertical jumps, reaching over forty inches high.
In mainstream culture, the vertical jump is most commonly known in terms of professional basketball and football. Players in the National Basketball Association (NBA), for example, often report their vertical jump records for recruiting purposes and in competition with other athletes. NBA vertical-jump records are high profile and generally forty-six inches or higher.
Bibliography
Abidin, Nahdiya Zaina, and Mohd Bakri Adam. “Prediction of Vertical Jump Height from Anthropometric Factors in Male and Female Martial Arts Athletes.” Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 20.1 (2013): 39–45. Print.
Buckthorpe, Matthew, John Morris, and Jonathan P. Folland. “Validity of Vertical Jump Measurement Devices.” Journal of Sports Sciences 30.1 (2012): 63–69. Print.
Castagna, Carlo, and Elena Castellini. “Vertical Jump Performance in Italian Male and Female National Team Soccer Players.”Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 27.4 (2013): 1156–61. Print.
Delextrat, Anne, and Daniel Cohen. “Physiological Testing of Basketball Players: Toward a Standard Evaluation of Anaerobic Fitness.” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 22.4 (2008): 1066–72. Print.
Kopper, Bence, et al. “Muscle Activation History at Different Vertical Jumps and Its Influence on Vertical Velocity.” Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 23.1 (2013): 132–39. Print.
Marina, Michel, and Priscila Torrado. “Does Gymnastics Practice Improve Vertical Jump Reliability from the Age of 8 to 10 Years?” Journal of Sports Sciences 31.11 (2013): 1177–86. Print.
Witmer, Chad A., Shala E. Davis, and Gavin L. Moir. “The Acute Effects of Back Squats on Vertical Jump Performance in Men and Women.” Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 9.2 (2010): 206–13. Print.