Improving vertical jump performance with biomechanical feedback

The vertical jump is a skill fundamental to many sports and one for which improvements in performance result in a greater chance of success in a competitive setting. Unfortunately, there is limited research related to the use of specific visual and verbal feedback and based on the knowledge of the biomechanics of skillful jumping. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of specific biomechanical feedback to improve vertical jump performance in recreationally active women. Twenty women were randomly assigned to the treatment or control group. Participants performed five maximal countermovement jumps with arms akimbo prefeedback and five jumps post-feedback. Specific visual and verbal feedback based on the mover’s pre-feedback jumps was provided to the treatment group, while control participants were allowed to view their jump performance on video only. Treatment participants made significant reductions in maximal knee flexion angle pre- to post-feedback (p=0.003); however no changes in knee flexion were observed among control participants (p=0.667). Depth of descent decreased significantly from pre- to post-feedback among treatment and control participants (p=0.003). However observed changes in range of motion occurred in the absence of improvements in jump height (p=0.07). Present findings suggest specific visual and verbal feedback is an effective means of modifying movement patterns, however, the knee flexion feedback in the present study was not suitable for improving vertical jump height. Researchers should continue to explore suitable visual and verbal feedback for modifying movement and improving vertical jump performance.