Vol 14, Issue 7

Validity and Test-retest Reliability of the Jumpo App for Jump Performance Measurement

December 1, 2021 - By 

Authors

Amilton Vieira, Laboratório de Pesquisa em Treinamento de Força, University of Brasilia, Brasilia
Anthony J. Blazevich, Edith Cowan University
Alexandre Souza da Costa, University of Brasilia, Brasilia
James J. Tufano, Charles University in Prague, Prague
Martim Bottaro, Laboratório de Pesquisa em Treinamento de Força, University of Brasilia, Brazil
International Journal of Exercise Science 14(7): 677-686, 2021.
DOI: 10.70252/LTAV3104

Abstract

The vertical jump test is one of the simplest and most prevalent physical tests used in practice and research. This study investigated the validity and reliability of a new mobile application (Jumpo) for measuring jump performance on Android devices. University-aged students (n = 10; 20 ± 3 years; 176 ± 6 cm; 68 ± 9 kg) reported to the laboratory on three occasions (2-7 days apart): to be familiarized with the jump performance measurements and then for test-retest reliability assessments. Participants performed countermovement jumps (CMJ), squat jumps (SJ), and right and left single-legged jumps in random order on a force platform while being recorded by a smartphone’s slow-motion camera. Flight time was selected as the criterion variable. Strong positive correlations between the Jumpo and force platform were observed for each jump type tested (r ≥ 0.93), although the flight times obtained with the Jumpo App were systematically shorter than those provided by the force platform by 3-6% (p < 0.001). The Jumpo App demonstrated a high test-retest reliability (ICC ≥ 0.94, CV ≤ 3.7%) with no differences between the coefficients of variation obtained from the Jumpo App and force platform (p ≥ 0.25). With respect to jump type, data from double-legged jumps (CMJ and SJ) were more accurately measured than data from single-legged jumps. The Jumpo App provides a valid and reliable measurement of jump performance, but the following equation should be used to calibrate its flight time results, allowing comparisons to be made to force platform data: Force platformflight time = 0.948 × Jumpoflight time + 41.515. Future studies should cross-validate the calibration equation in a different sample of individuals.

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