Single-Leg Vertical Jump (Hop) Procedure, Reliability and Normative Data

By Adam Devery, ATC, PTA, CSCS & Phil Plisky, PT, DSc, ATC, OCS, CSCS

Goal & Purpose of Single Leg Vertical Jump

A hop testing battery of horizontal hop for distance (single hop, triple hop, and triple crossover hop) has historically been used to determine an athlete’s readiness for return to sport. Recent research has found that the single leg vertical jump test may offer additional insight into return to sport readiness.  Researchers have found that horizontal and vertical jumps examine different aspects of power production (Kotsifaki et al). 

The primary contributor to vertical jumping performance is lower limb vertical power. The knee joint produces higher power during the propulsion phase of vertical jumping than during horizontal jumping (nearly 2.5 times as much). Therefore, it is important to include single-leg vertical jump testing in your return to sport testing battery. A recent study found that only 27% of patients had a single-leg vertical jump limb symmetry index above 90% at 7 months post ACL reconstruction (Giacomazzo et al).

While some current research indicates that the single-leg vertical jump should replace traditional horizontal hop testing, that is a bit of a mischaracterization. While many participants who achieved 90% limb symmetry index on horizontal hopping did indeed fail limb symmetry measures in vertical jump, it does not mean that horizontal hopping is not useful. It is simply a different measure of power. Also, remember 90% LSI is likely not stringent enough passing standards (see Why 90% Limb Symmetry Index Is Not Enough). Professionals should include both horizontal and vertical hop tests in the return to sport testing battery.

What is the single leg vertical jump test?

• Vertical jump test where the athlete is instructed to start in a single-leg squat position with a slight pause
• The athlete performs a jump vertically for height
• This can be measured with equipment like a Vertec, force plate, or manually with chalk, tape, or sticky notes 

Single Leg Vertical Jump Procedure

1. Instruct and ensure that the participant is in a position and understands the procedure.
2. You also may use sticky notes and a wall nearby as a landmark to complete the testing without access to a Vertec
3. Have the participant push back the highest reachable piece while remaining grounded. This will be a placemark for the zero position (recording will be measured in inches).
4. Instruct participant to assume a single-leg position
5. Instruct participant to flex at the hip, knee, and ankle and jump and push the highest attainable piece of the Vertec or highest spot attainable on wall that they can while in the air.
6. Reset the markers after recording is complete
7. This procedure is repeated three times on each leg. 

Single Leg Vertical Jump Normative Data

Single Leg Vertical Jump Passing Criteria

Limb symmetry - Passing is a limb symmetry index of >95% (>90% for return to participation in comparison to the uninvolved side.

Comparison to Normative Data - Recommend to be at least 50th percentile based on age, gender and sport normative data

Single Leg Vertical Jump Reliability

What is the inter-rater reliability of the single-leg vertical jump test?

Intraclass correlation coefficients - 

Reliability of the single leg vertical jump is 0.98.

Bjorklund et al reported an inter-rater reliability of κ=0.75 for the single leg vertical jump which was repeated five times and incorporated a qualitative rating of ‘springiness’.

References

Argyro Kotsifaki;Vasileios Korakakis;Philip Graham-Smith;Vasileios Sideris;Rod Whiteley; (2021). Vertical and Horizontal Hop Performance: Contributions of the Hip, Knee, and Ankle . Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach, (), –. doi:10.1177/1941738120976363

Giacomazzo Q, Picot B, Chamu T, Samozino P, Pairot de Fontenay B. Impaired Symmetry in Single-Leg Vertical Jump and Drop Jump Performance 7 Months After ACL Reconstruction. Orthop J Sports Med. 2024 Aug 15;12(8):23259671241263794. doi: 10.1177/23259671241263794. PMID: 39157022; PMCID: PMC11328232.

Lee, Dhong Won; Yang, Sang Jin; Cho, Seung Ik; Lee, Jung Ho; Kim, Jin Goo (2018). Single-leg vertical jump test as a functional test after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The Knee, (), S0968016018305982–. doi:10.1016/j.knee.2018.07.014 

Co-author Information

Adam Devery, ATC, PTA, CSCS

Adam is a minor league professional baseball reconditioning athletic trainer helping return injured players back to sport. He graduated from the University of Evansville with degrees in athletic training and physical therapist assistance. He is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has interests in athletic development, injury prevention, and sports rehabilitation.