DEVELOPMENT OF MULTISTEP DROP JUMP TEST BY USING DIFFERENT DROP HEIGHTS

Abstract

We used different drop heights to evaluate the drop jump (DJ) test in elite athletes. Male jumpers (n=10) performed the test at 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2 m. Jumping motions in the sagittal plane and the ground reaction force were recorded using a high-speed camera and force platform, respectively. The amount of negative work by 3 lower extremity joints increased with increased drop height of the DJ test, mainly at the hip joint. There were different performance patterns on the DJ test and lower extremity power output with an increased drop height according to individual characteristics of elite jumpers, compared with the average pattern. Jump performance was correlated with the DJ index at DJ1.2 and the decreased rate of the index from DJ0.3 to DJ1.2. Thus, to evaluate elite jumpers’ performance, various height ranges including a higher drop height should be used.