The effect of short-term VertiMax vs. depth jump training on vertical jump performance

The ability to generate lower body explosive power is considered an important factor in many athletic activities. Thirty-one men and women, recreationally trained volunteers, were randomly assigned to 3 different groups (control, n = 10; VertiMax, n = 11; and depth jump, n = 10). A Vertec measuring device was used to test vertical jump height pre- and post-training. All subjects trained twice weekly for 6 weeks, performing approximately 140 jumps. The VertiMax group increased elastic resistance and decreased volume each week, while the depth jump group increased both box height and volume each week. The depth jump group significantly increased their vertical jump height (pre: 20.5 +/- 3.98; post: 22.65 +/- 4.09), while the VertiMax (pre: 22.18 +/- 4.31; post: 23.36 +/- 4.06) and control groups (pre: 15.65 +/- 4.51; post: 15.85 +/- 4.17) did not change. These findings suggest that, within the volume and intensity constraints of this study, depth jump training twice weekly for 6 weeks is more beneficial than VertiMax jump training for increasing vertical jump height. Strength professionals should focus on depth jump exercises in the short term over commercially available devices to improve vertical jump performance.