Can IMU Provide an Accurate Vertical Jump Height Estimate?

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine if an inertial measurement unit placed on the metatarsal part of the foot can provide valid and reliable data for an accurate estimate of vertical jump height. Thirteen female volleyball players participated in the study. All players were members of the Republic of Serbia national team. Measurement of the vertical jump height was performed for the two exemplary jumping tasks, squat jump and counter-movement jump. Vertical jump height estimation was performed using the flight time method for both devices. The presented results support a high level of concurrent validity of an inertial measurement unit in relation to a force plate for estimating vertical jump height (CMJ t = 0.897, p = 379; ICC = 0.975; SQJ t = −0.564, p = 0.578; ICC = 0.921) as well as a high level of reliability (ICC > 0.872) for inertial measurement unit results. The proposed inertial measurement unit positioning may provide an accurate vertical jump height estimate for in-field measurement of jump height as an alternative to other devices. The principal advantages include the small size of the sensor unit and possible simultaneous monitoring of multiple athletes.

Acquisition of Lower-Limb Motion Characteristics with a Single Inertial Measurement Unit—Validation for Use in Physiotherapy

“…The different methods to determine the jump height were described and compared by [ 23 ]. In addition, height was calculated from flight time, but the IMU sensor attached to the back of the foot [ 24 ] also found accurate results.…”

Accuracy of Inertial Measurement Units When Applied to the Countermovement Jump of Track and Field Athletes

“…The athlete began from the static upright position and performed a knee flexion at 90° followed by a jump, finalizing in the initial position with arms placed at the waist. The jump was performed on an FP with the IMU placed at L5 as a reference for the CoM [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 18 , 19 ]. The instruments were fixed on the skin at L5 using adhesive tape (see Figure 1 ).…”

“…Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) have recently been applied in VJ testing, due to their applicability on any surface, ease of transportation provided by their small size, and ability to provide temporal and kinematic parameters, which may have a direct relation to kinetic parameters [ 13 , 14 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. IMUs are micro-electromechanical sensor systems (MEMSs) that incorporate an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a magnetometer [ 19 ].…”

“…Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) have recently been applied in VJ testing, due to their applicability on any surface, ease of transportation provided by their small size, and ability to provide temporal and kinematic parameters, which may have a direct relation to kinetic parameters [ 13 , 14 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. IMUs are micro-electromechanical sensor systems (MEMSs) that incorporate an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a magnetometer [ 19 ]. Studies have suggested many kinds of IMUs as valid devices for obtaining the jump height [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 17 ] and accuracy in order to determine the flight time and the center of mass (CoM) displacement in CMJs and CMJs with arms when applied to specific algorithms [ 18 ].…”

“…Furthermore, different IMU positions have been tested [ 21 ] in the CMJ. Rantalainen et al [ 22 ] suggested a position on the back midline at the L3 to L5 level, and most studies placed the IMU on the trunk at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5) [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 18 , 19 ]; it was also placed on the calcaneus [ 19 ].…”