Power Testing: Drop Hop Test

The Drop Hop Test assesses single-leg reactive power and landing control after dropping from a height. It can help monitor unilateral plyometric readiness and side-to-side performance.

Introduction

Bilateral drop jumps can hide limb differences. The Drop Hop Test increases demand by requiring the client to absorb and rebound on one leg, making it useful for later-stage rehabilitation and sport preparation.

Quick Summary

Test name: Drop Hop Test
Purpose: Assess single-leg reactive power
What it assesses: Unilateral landing, rebound, contact time, hop height or distance
Equipment: Box, landing surface, force plate/contact mat/Hop MAT
Key finding: Hop height/distance, contact time or RSI if available
Best used with: Drop Jump, Vertical Hop, Single Leg Rebound
Key limitation: High demand; not suitable early in rehabilitation

What Is the Drop Hop Test?

The MAT page identifies the Drop Hop Test as a Power Testing assessment.   In practice, the client drops from a box or marker and rebounds on one leg, with performance and control recorded.

Why It Is Used

It assesses unilateral reactive strength and landing-control capacity.

What It Measures

It may measure hop height, hop distance, contact time, RSI or landing control, depending on the setup.

Who It Is Useful For

Advanced rehabilitation clients, athletes, jumping athletes and clients preparing for return to sport.

Equipment Required

Low box or step
MAT, Hop MAT, force plate or contact mat
Flat non-slip surface
Measurz or MAT
Optional video

Step-by-Step Protocol

Choose a safe drop height.

The client stands on the box.

They step off and land on one leg.

They rebound immediately into a hop or vertical rebound depending on the selected protocol.

They land with control.

Repeat on both sides with rest.

Record the chosen output consistently.

Scoring and Interpretation

Record height, distance, contact time or RSI depending on equipment. Compare sides cautiously and prioritise safe landing and controlled rebound.

Normative Data or Reference Values

No universal normative values should be applied.

Reliability and Validity

Reliability depends on drop height, surface, arm use, equipment and instructions.

Common Errors and Testing Limitations

Common errors include jumping off the box, collapsing on landing, excessive contact time, failing to rebound and testing before adequate readiness.

Practical Applications

Use Drop Hop testing for late-stage plyometric progression, limb comparison and reactive power monitoring.

How to Record This in Measurz

Record side, box height, output metric, contact time, RSI if available, pain, landing control, balance and confidence.

FAQs

What does the Drop Hop Test measure?

Single-leg reactive power and landing control.

Is it harder than a Drop Jump?

Usually yes, because it is unilateral.

Should box height be recorded?

Yes. It strongly affects the result.

Key Takeaways

The Drop Hop Test is a unilateral reactive power test.
Use only when the client is ready.
Record drop height and landing quality.
Compare sides under identical setup.

References

Flanagan, E. P., & Comyns, T. M. (2008). The use of contact time and reactive strength index. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 30(5), 32–38.

Schilaty, N. D., Bates, N. A., Krych, A. J., & Hewett, T. E. (2020). Utility of single-leg vertical jump measures after ACL reconstruction. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 50(2), 71–77.