Vertical and broad jump are two tests used to evaluate lower body power and fast twitch capability. If you are testing many athletes these tests can be a quick predictor for an athletes acceleration and top end speed potential. We can break these test down even further using a counter movement or a static position start and determine what type of training may benefit the athlete more. If a quick counter movement jump yields a higher number it may benefit that athlete to do more absolute strength training, however if the static position jump yields a higher value it may be more beneficial to work on more speed strength tactics. Aside from the number we can also evaluate mechanically how efficient the athlete transitions from eccentric to concentric and how well they control the eccentric landing at the completion of the jump. This may help to identify where they may suffer from energy leaks (instability and poor alignments of the limbs and joint structures) that lead to increase joint stress and a reduction of efficiency and a decrease of power. Most commonly the energy leaks will be seen at the foot (abduction of the forefoot), excessive knee valgus (medial collapse of the knee), excessive trunk flexion and excessive kyphosis of the thoracic spine and protraction of the scapula. While watching the athletes perform these tests it may prove to be a valuable tool to help identify the athletes who maybe more at risk to common knee pathologies. Once a coach can look past the numbers and pay attention to the quality of movement, this is where the real evaluation takes place.
