Correlation of Vertical Jump Height with Ground Reaction Force and Anthropometric Parameters of Male Athletes

Abstract

Background: Vertical jump performance depends on the take-off velocity of the body's center of mass. This velocity results from vertical acceleration provided by applied force to the ground from the feet. Therefore, forces generated in the muscles and the way these forces transfer to the feet affect vertical jump performance. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the correlation of vertical jump height with ground reaction force and anthropometric parameters of professional male athletes in volleyball, basketball, and wrestling. Methods: In this study, the descriptive method (correlation assessment) was used to investigate the relationship of countermovement vertical jump height with ground reaction force and anthropometric parameters of 18 male professional athletes. Results: This descriptive study indicated that the vertical jump height was significantly correlated with the maximum vertical force (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.658), maximum rate of vertical force development (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.399), negative impulse (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.192), and positive impulse (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.381). In addition, among 16 anthropometric parameters, only sitting height had a significant correlation with jump height (correlation coefficient = 0.499). However, the four dimensionless anthropometric parameters, including body fat mass to body mass ratio, skeletal muscle mass to body mass ratio, upper limb mass to body mass ratio, and lower limb mass to body mass ratio, were significantly correlated with vertical jump height. Conclusions: The normalized body composition and ground reaction force parameters were significantly related to vertical jump performance. Therefore, designing a training program to enhance these parameters would improve vertical jump performance. According to this study, enhancing GRF characteristics could be considered valuable in such training programs.

Height, Push-Off Angle, Explosive Power: Do they Correlate with Volleyball Athlete Jumping Performance?

“…In the context of our study, the correlation results between height and jump performance reinforce previous findings that jumping ability and height play a central role in volleyball [24]. With an average height reaching 193.6 ± 8.4 cm, players can easily perform spikes, blocks, and jump serves by combining the explosive power of their lower extremities during vertical jumps [26,27]. However, other results suggest a different direction, indicating a negative correlation between height and jump performance [33].…”

“…Typically, volleyball players have tall body postures and are capable of quick movements in all directions [24]. The average height form female volleyball players is approximately 1.80 ± 0.06 meter meters [25], while for males, the average height is around 193.6 ± 8.4 cm [26]. One theory explains that when a volleyball player performs a spike, jump serve, and block, it is important for them to have an aboveaverage height so that they can combine the power and strength of their lower exermities during vertical jumps [27].…”