Physical characteristics that predict vertical jump performance in recreational male athletes

Objectives. To determine the relationship between vertical jump performance and anthropometric and physical characteristics in recreational male athletes. Design. A prospective regression analysis. Participants. Twenty-three male recreational athletes, between the ages of 20 and 37 years. Outcome measures. Anthropometric and performance measurements were recorded: age, height, body weight, body fat composition, thigh and leg girth, balance, lower extremity flexibility, quadriceps isokinetic average force, quadriceps average power, vertical jump displacement, knee flexion angle prior to vertical jump, and anaerobic power. Results. The 'best' linear regression model included the following regressor variables: percent body fat (P < 0.000 1), Margaria-Kalamen test time (p = 0.004), stork balance test (p = 0.007), age (p = 0.01), right calf girth (p = 0.04), and left eccentric quadriceps average force production (p = 0.23). This prediction model was found to have a R-2 of 0.87, with 62% of the variability explained by body fat and the Margaria-Kalamen anaerobic power test time. Conclusion. This study suggests that body fat and the Margaria-Kalamen anaerobic power test are strong predictors of vertical jump performance in recreational male athletes. Age, eccentric quadriceps force production, calf girth, and standing balance also contributed to the prediction of vertical jump in this population. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.