Vertical Jump Test (Sargent Jump)

This test is designed to measure lower limb explosive power by measuring the height a client is able to jump.

Equipment required:  measuring tape or marked wall, chalk for marking wall (or 'Vertec' equipment seen in the picture adjacent).

Description / procedure (see variations below also): the person stands side on to a wall and reaches up with the hand closest to the wall. Keeping the feet flat on the ground, the point of the fingertips is marked or recorded. This is called the standing reach. The person puts chalk on their finger tips to mark the wall at the height of their jump.  The person then stands away from the wall, and jumps vertically as high as possible using both arms and legs to assist in projecting the body upwards. Attempt to touch the wall at the highest point of the jump. The difference in distance between the standing reach height and the jump height is the score. The best of three attempts is recorded.

Scoring: The jump height is usually recorded as a distance score. The table below provides a ranking scale for adult persons based on observations of testing results over time.  This will give you a general idea of what is a good score. For more information, see a selection of vertical jump test results.

Advantages: this test is simple and quick to perform and provides a direct measurement of vertical power

Disadvantages: technique plays a part in maximizing your score, as the person must time the jump so that the wall is marked at the peak of the jump.

Variations: The vertical jump test can also be performed using a specialized apparatus called the Vertec. The procedure when using the Vertec is very similar to the one described above.

The vertical jump test is usually performed with a counter movement, where there is bending of the knees prior to the jump. The test can also be performed as a squat jump, starting from the position of knees being bent. Other test variations are to perform the test with no arm movement (one hand on hip, the other raised above the head) to isolate the leg muscles and reduce the effect of variations in coordination of the arm movements. The test can also be performed off one leg, with a step into the jump, or with a run-up, depending on the relevance to the sport involved.

Comments: The jump height can be affected by how much you bend your knees before you jump, and the effective use of the arms.   It’s important for each tester to use the same jump method from test to test otherwise results will vary meaning reliability is poor.