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PILOT STUDY: VERTICAL JUMP COMPARISON BETWEEN VERTEC, DARI MOTION CAPTURE, AND MY JUMP 2 APP

Abstract

Millicent Setzkorn, Angela Portillo, Heidi A. VanRavenhorst-Bell

Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas

Traditionally, Vertec has been used to assess vertical jump (i.e., vertical jump reach)4 and further evaluate an athlete’s sex-specific muscle power index and sport performance capabilities.1 With the advancement of technology, new vertical jump assessment methods (i.e., DARI Motion Capture, My Jump 2 App) have emerged. The DARI, like Vertec, measures vertical jump reach (e.g., distance feet lift off the floor while simultaneously accounting for the elongation of one’s upper body); while MY Jump 2 app and DARI, unlike Vertec measure vertical jump height (e.g., floor to foot elevation).3,4,5,6 PURPOSE: This study sought to determine whether vertical jump measures significantly differed between Vertec, DARI motion capture, and My Jump 2 application. In addition, vertical jump differences by trial and sex were explored. METHODS: 41 healthy adults (male, female), age 22 + 2.71 (year + SD) participated. Participants completed two trials (familiarization, baseline) each for Vertec, DARI, and My Jump 2. Vertec maximal vertical jump was measured at the point of the highest flag marker touched 2, while DARI and My Jump 2 app measured maximal vertical jump at maximal change in height (floor, foot, and/or head) attained based on proprietary software output, respectively. To control for learning effect and fatigue, order of vertical jump measure by method was randomized. RESULTS: A mixed ANOVA indicated comparable vertical jump measures between the Vertec and DARI (m = 55.88 + sd = 14.97, m = 50.59 + sd = 14.14; p = 0.45), respectively; while the My Jump 2 app was found to record significantly lower (m = 38.31 + sd = 15.37; p = .01) measures. In addition, baseline vertical jump measures significantly improved from the familiarization trial for both Vertec and My Jump 2 (p = .01) but did not improve for DARI. Vertical jump measures of males were also found to be significantly higher than females (p = .01), regardless of the modality. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that the method used to assess vertical jump may differentially report an individual's athletic performance capabilities and one’s birth sex and particular sport should be considered. Future research is suggested to understand sport-specific contributions of each vertical jump assessment method.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: This study was funded by the McNair Scholars Program at Wichita State University. This study was also funded by the Undergraduate Research and Creativity Award at Wichita State University.

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