Question

Vertical jumping performance is often used as a crude measurement of muscle power. Considering the various deterministic factors of jumping performance, which factor or sub-height is most closely related to vigorous muscular effort? In consideration of your answer, which method of estimating flight height is probably most appropriate? Explain

Answer 1

The vertical jump is the skill of one to propel himself in a vertical plane to the air. Vertical jumping is an important skill for a variety of sports and so many athletes from professionals to recreational, seek to improve their vertical jumping abilities.

When determining the height of a vertical jump, many factors come into play. The five main contributors are:

1. Genetics – Tendon length, muscle fiber composition, bone structure, etc.

2. Jumping form

3. Relative strength/maximal muscular strength

4. Rate of force development

5. Reactive strength/plyometric strength

The first factor is out of control, so the only action we can take is to make sure that we maintain a healthy diet and keep our body fat percentage low.

There are three methods of estimating flight height:

1. The Sargent tests

2. The time of flight method, and

3. The impulse momentum method.

The time of flight method is most appropriate method of estimating flight height. The time of flight method, where assuming the height of take-off is the same as the height of landing, the in-flight elevation of the CM (H) can be calculated by:

                                    HTOF= -[a.T2/8]

      Where a= acceleration due to gravity,

T = total difference between the instant of landing and the instant of take-off.

And, the negative sign is needed to account for the sign of gravity.