Single-Leg Lateral, Horizontal, and Vertical Jump Assessment: Reliability, Interrelationships, and Ability to Predict Sprint and Change-of-Direction Performance

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to determine the reliability of unilateral vertical, horizontal, and lateral countermovement jump assessments, the interrelationship between these tests, and their usefulness as predictors of sprint (10 m) and change-of-direction (COD) performance for 80 men and women physical education students. Jump performance was assessed on a contact mat and sprint, and COD performances were assessed using timing lights. With regard to the reliability statistics, the largest coefficient of variation (CV) was observed for the vertical jump (CV = 6.7-7.2%) of both genders, whereas the sprint and COD assessments had smallest variability (CV = 0.8 to 2.8%). All intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were greater than 0.85, except for the men's COD assessment with the alternate leg. The shared variance between the single-leg vertical, horizontal, and lateral jumps for men and women was less than 50%, indicating that the jumps are relatively independent of one another and represent different leg strength/power qualities. The ability of the jumps to predict sprint and COD performance was limited (R2 < 43%). It would seem that the ability to change direction with 1 leg is relatively independent of a COD with the other leg, especially in the women (R < 30%) of this study. However, if 1 jump assessment were selected to predict sprint and COD performance in a test battery, the single-leg horizontal countermovement jump would seem the logical choice, given the results of this study. Many of the findings in this study have interesting diagnostic and training implications for the strength and conditioning coach.

Physical Profiles of Regional Academy Netball Players

“…Additionally, previous research has observed significant associations between unilateral horizontal jumps to sprint and CODS. 27 However, further research is warranted to support this contention.…”

Asymmetries in single and triple hop are not detrimental to change of direction speed

“…However, the abovementioned assessments require expensive equipment which are not readily available to strength and conditioning and rehabilitation practitioners and involve extensive periods of time to collect and analyse data. Alternatively, single leg hops for distance (SLH) are easier to administer and are cost effective, producing highly reliable measures of lower limb triple extension function, [16][17][18] while able to detect asymmetries 12,17 . Furthermore, this assessment can be used in the field as an indirect measure of unilateral lower body horizontal power, force propulsion and acceptance, which can be used to provide rehabilitation and training information.…”

“…Strong inverse relationships have been observed between SLH and triple hops for distance (SLTH) with CODS 10,18,22 attributed to the similarities in the force vector and push off mechanism 16 . Conversely, there is a paucity of research investigating the influence of between limb asymmetries from horizontal hops for distance on CODS.…”

Isometric force production symmetry and jumping performance in collegiate athletes

“…Most of the previous research has investigated unilateral asymmetry and sought to correlate single leg jumping performance with sprinting and change of direction performance. [8][9][10] Considerably less research has investigated bilateral force production asymmetry and the majority examined previously injured populations. [11][12] Yoshioka et al 20 assessed bilateral strength asymmetry in a computer simulation model, and their results indicated that jump height was not affected by strength asymmetry and that the stronger leg possibly compensated for the weaker leg.…”