Can Foot Anthropometry Predict Vertical Jump Performance?

Abstract

Hawley, VS, Gurchiek, RD, and van Werkhoven, H. Can foot anthropometry predict vertical jump performance? J Strength Cond Res 36(7): 1860-1865, 2022-Vertical jumping is an important element of many sporting activities, and whether anthropometric adaptations can predict jumping performance is of interest. Few studies have specifically considered anthropometric measures of the foot and its link to performance. Furthermore, previous studies have mainly focused on a male subject pool, and whether relationships are consistent across sexes is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between common anthropometric measures, as well as specific foot measures, and jump performance in men and women. Anthropometric measures of 21 men (age: 22.0 6 1.5 years; stature: 181.4 6 6.3 cm; body mass: 85.6 6 9.4 kg) and 21 women (age: 21.2 6 1.8 years; stature: 166.1 6 7.5 cm; body mass: 61.4 6 11.4 kg) were taken before performing 3 maximal countermovement jumps (CMJs). Correlational analysis was used to determine relationships between anthropometric measures and CMJ height (a priori significance set at p# 0.05, effect size: small .0.1; medium .0.3; large .0.5). There was no significant correlation between anthropometric variables and CMJ height for men, whereas for women, mass (r 5 20.585, p 5 0.005, large effect), foot length (r 5 20.533, p 5 0.013, large effect), and toe length (r 5 20.604, p 5 0.004, large effect) showed significant negative correlations with CMJ height. The unexpected result that smaller feet and toes predicted higher jumps for women warrants further investigation. Furthermore, these results highlight the need to incorporate diverse subject pools, and a need for caution when generalizing across sexes.

Effects of age and sex on association between toe muscular strength and vertical jump performance in adolescent populations

“…Therefore, it was supposed that the participants in this study were well accustomed to jumping as high as possible and would be able to use effective stretch shortening function. For anthropometric factors, a significant correlation exists between jump height and toe length in young male adults [29], between jump height and foot and toe length in young female adults [30]. For adolescent boys and girls examined here, we have no data on foot and/or toe length.…”

Kinetics of Depth Jumps Performed by Female and Male National Collegiate Athletics Association Basketball Athletes and Young Adults

“…The results of the current investigation do not provide a clear explanation for prolonged GCTs in NCAA male athletes. Previous research has indicated that height and limb length may disproportionally affect jumping performance across different levels of athletic participation and between sexes [ 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ]. Specifically, height and lower-extremity limb lengths in competitive male athletes have been found to associate positively with JH [ 73 , 74 , 76 ], yet these associations do not seem to hold for recreational males and females with varying levels of athletic participation [ 72 , 75 , 77 ].…”

“…Previous research has indicated that height and limb length may disproportionally affect jumping performance across different levels of athletic participation and between sexes [ 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ]. Specifically, height and lower-extremity limb lengths in competitive male athletes have been found to associate positively with JH [ 73 , 74 , 76 ], yet these associations do not seem to hold for recreational males and females with varying levels of athletic participation [ 72 , 75 , 77 ]. In taller male athletes, height and lower-limb length may increase CoM displacement during the concentric phase of jumping, which in turn could provide additional time to accumulate the mechanical impulse that is ultimately responsible for determining JH [ 72 , 73 , 78 ].…”

“…Specifically, height and lower-extremity limb lengths in competitive male athletes have been found to associate positively with JH [ 73 , 74 , 76 ], yet these associations do not seem to hold for recreational males and females with varying levels of athletic participation [ 72 , 75 , 77 ]. In taller male athletes, height and lower-limb length may increase CoM displacement during the concentric phase of jumping, which in turn could provide additional time to accumulate the mechanical impulse that is ultimately responsible for determining JH [ 72 , 73 , 78 ]. In theory, an extended concentric impulse duration could partially explain why higher JHs were observed in male NCAA athletes at the expense of longer GCTs, yet further investigation is required to formally assess the relationship of height and limb length with GCT.…”

Anthropometric and physical fitness indicators in the combine draft between the finalist and the eliminated player in the national basketball association all-star slam dunk contest

“…Therefore, in relative to EG, FG was likely to win higher scores during the contest, due to superior performance on slam dunk-specific MVJ. However, except the slam dunk performance, condition after warm-up (sitting vs keepingactively) [41], and foot anthropometry (length of feet and toes) [42] could also probably explain the difference between groups in MVJ. To sum up, TQCS, SVJ and MVJ seem to be key indicators in physical fitness for slam dunk performance.…”