What are the normative values for a vertical jump test?
The vertical jump test measures explosive leg power. Above average jumps for men are 20-24 inches, very good jumps are 24-28 inches, and excellent jumps exceed 28 inches. For women, above average jumps are 16-20 inches, very good jumps are 20-24 inches, and excellent jumps exceed 24 inches.
Untrained males typically jump around 16-20 inches, while untrained females average 12-16 inches. With structured training, males can reach 24-28 inches and females 20-24 inches. Elite athletes like NBA players average 28-32 inches, with top performers exceeding 35 inches.
What are the normative values for a vertical jump test?
The normative values for a vertical jump test are given in the table below.
Group | Rating | Jump |
Men | High | >70 cm (27.6 in) |
Men | Good | 58 cm (22.8 inches) |
Men | Above | 52 cm (20.47 inches) |
Men | Mid | 43 cm (16.93 inches) |
Men | Below | 41 cm (16.14 inches) |
Men | Low | 33 cm (13 inches) |
Men | High | 56 cm (22.05 inches) |
Males | Mid | 20 cm (7.87 inches) |
Females | Mid | 14 cm (5.51 inches) |
Males | Train | 51-61 |
Males | No | 41-51 |
Females | No | 31-41 |
The average vertical jump height for adult men is 16-20 inches (41-50 cm) and for women is 12-16 inches (31-40 cm). For men, above average jumps are 20-24 inches (50.8-61.0 cm), very good jumps are 24-28 inches (61.0-71.1 cm), and excellent jumps exceed 28 inches (71.1 cm). For women, above average jumps are 16-20 inches (40.64-50.8 cm), very good jumps are 20-24 inches (50.8-60.96 cm), and excellent jumps exceed 24 inches (60.96 cm). These vertical jump test normative data provide a practical framework for assessment.
Untrained males typically jump around 40-50 cm (16-20 in), while untrained females average 30-40 cm (12-16 in). With structured training, trained males reach 60-70 cm (24-28 in) and trained females reach 50-60 cm (20-24 in). NBA players average 71.12-81.28 centimeters (28-32 inches), with elite players reaching 88.9-101.6+ centimeters (35-40+ inches). College-level players typically range from 24-30 inches (61-76 cm), and high school varsity players generally jump 20-26 inches (51-66 cm).
Age-specific norms from the Vertical Jump Assessment (cm) show that for men 20-29 years, an excellent jump is 58 cm ( 22.8 in), very good is 54-57 cm (21.3-22.4 in), good is 48-53 cm (18.9-20.9 in), and fair is 42-47 cm (16.5-18.5 in). For women 20-29 years, excellent is 14.96 in ( 38 cm), very good is 13.39-14.57 in (34-37 cm), good is 11.42-12.99 in (29-33 cm), and fair is 9.84-11.02 in (25-28 cm). For 15-19 year-old males, excellent is 22.0 inches ( 56 cm), and for females that age, excellent is 15.7 inches ( 40 cm). National norms for 16 to 19-year-olds (Davis 2000) and for 15 to 16-year-olds (Beashel 1997) provide further category tiers.
These standards apply to standing vertical jumps off two legs with full arm swing. A countermovement with arms gives greater jump height than a squat jump, and valid normative comparison needs identical approach and consistent measurement. Vertec values are 7.9% to 11% lower than jump mat values, but normative values for jump mats are in benchmarks and databases and are dependable. Good vertical jump scores vary by test type, but these numbers are achievable benchmarks. For an adult male, a very good rating is 24-28 inches (61-70 cm), for a female, a very good rating is 20-24 inches (51-60 cm). Understanding these benchmarks helps athletes assess explosive power and set realistic training targets.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the vertical jump test?
The advantages and disadvantages of the vertical jump test are given in the bullet points below.
- advantages: simple and quick to perform
- advantages: minimal equipment is required
- advantages: widely used, allowing for comparison across different populations
- advantages: provides a direct measurement of vertical power
- advantages: can be used to track progress over time
- disadvantages: technique plays a part in maximizing your score, as the subject must time the jump so that the wall is marked at the peak of the jump
- disadvantages: lack of standardisation makes results comparison difficult
- disadvantages: basic tests don't factor in body weight
- disadvantages: does not provide detailed information about muscle activation or force production
- disadvantages: results can be affected by factors such as arm swing and counter movement
The vertical jump test is simple and quick to perform. It is cheap, safe, and fun. Minimal equipment is required, and it is simple to set up and conduct. The athlete can administer the test, and it can be conducted almost anywhere. It provides a direct measurement of vertical power. The test is extremely inexpensive to conduct, widely used, allowing for comparison across different populations, and can be used to track progress over time.
Although the vertical jump test is simple, easy, and quick to perform, there are numerous disadvantages to the test as well. The procedure uses a chalk and wall to measure leap height as the difference between standing reach and jump reach. However, technique plays a significant role in maximizing scores. When the individual jumps, their form plays a large role in maximizing jump height. The jump height is affected by how much the individual bends their knees before they jump and how effectively the individual uses their arms. Furthermore, the individual must time the jump so that the wall is marked at the peak of the jump. It is a common argument that technique plays a bigger role than leg power. In addition, individuals typically use chalk on their fingertips to record jump height, but the use of chalk is not accurate and leads to errors. Chalk doesn't stick uniformly to fingertips or the wall surface, the mark is faint, and the chalk and wall technique has variability of three to ten millimeters. Inaccuracies in standing reach, such as arm lifted forward or fingers pointing up, propagate into jump height math. That's why the test lacks standardisation, making results comparison difficult. Basic tests don't factor in body weight. Body type, including leg length amount, muscle amount, and height amount, creates bias in vertical jump scores. Longer legs and greater height are linked to better vertical jump performance. The vertical jump test does not detect sideways force or lateral strength, and a high score does not ensure sideways force or coordination for agility. Neuromuscular coordination and learning to move boost measured performance, masking genuine strength gains. Lack of motivation hurts consistency and undermines validity, as test score depends on motivation. All these factors lead to varying results, so the test is considered unreliable if not performed cautiously. Maximal vertical jump testing is not recommended in individuals with recent injuries or conditions that compromise performance.
