Power Testing: Drop Jump Test

The Drop Jump Test is a plyometric exercise used to measure an athlete's lower body power and reactive strength. It involves dropping from a height and immediately jumping upward as high as possible upon landing. This test is commonly used in sports training and rehabilitation settings to assess an individual's ability to absorb and generate force quickly and efficiently.

To perform the Drop Jump Test, follow these steps:

1. Find an appropriate box or platform: Choose a sturdy box or platform that is between 12 and 36 inches (30 to 90 cm) high. Make sure it is placed on a flat, non-slip surface.
2. Step off the box: Stand on top of the box with both feet shoulder-width apart. Step off the box with both feet at the same time, landing on the ground with both feet.
3. Immediately jump upward: As soon as you land on the ground, jump upward as high as possible. Try to minimize the contact time with the ground and jump as high as you can.
4. Measure the jump height: Measure the height of your jump using a measuring tape or jump mat. The height of the jump is measured from the ground to the highest point you reach during the jump.
5. Repeat the test: Repeat the test two more times to get a total of three jumps. Record the highest jump height out of the three attempts.
6. Rest between attempts: Rest for about 30 seconds between each jump to allow your muscles to recover.

The normative data for the test varies depending on the population being tested (e.g., gender, age, level of athletic ability).

For example, a study conducted on male professional basketball players reported a mean jump height of 31.3 inches (79.5 cm) on the Drop Jump Test. Another study conducted on female college soccer players reported a mean jump height of 18.8 inches (47.8 cm) on the test.

Here are a few additional examples of normative data for the Drop Jump Test:

• Male and female collegiate athletes (mean jump height): 18.5-24.5 inches (47-62 cm)
• Male and female elite handball players (mean jump height): 22.4-25.6 inches (57-65 cm)
• Male and female junior basketball players (mean jump height): 18.2-21.2 inches (46-54 cm)

References:

1. Bressel E, Cronin J, Gongora X, et al. Acute effects of depth jumps on countermovement jump performance: a meta-analysis. Sports Med. 2012;42(11):947-962. doi:10.2165/11635240-000000000-00000
2. Flanagan EP, Ebben WP, Jensen RL. Reliability of the reactive strength index and time to stabilization during depth jumps. J Strength Cond Res. 2008;22(5):1677-1682. doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e31817b002c
3. García-Ramos A, Jaric S, Padial P, Feriche B. Evaluation of vertical stiffness of drop jumps: effects of dropping height. Int J Sports Med. 2012;33(8):610-615. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1301321
4. Markovic G, Jukic I, Milanovic D, Metikos D. Effects of sprint and plyometric training on muscle function and athletic performance. J Strength Cond Res. 2007;21(2):543-549. doi:10.1519/R-20145.1
5. Raschner C, Platzer H-P, Patterson C, et al. The relationship between hip strength and dynamic knee valgus in asymptomatic female athletes: a prospective study. J Strength Cond Res. 2011;25(11):2963-2970. doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e318212e9d8