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Directing Attention Externally Produces Consistent Vertical Jump Assessment Results
Logan T Markwell1, Hubert Makaruk2, Vanessa Frost3
1Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA.
International Journal of Exercise Science
|May 1, 2023
Summary
External focus instructions enhance vertical jump consistency. Various external cues, including "near" and "far" targets, yield reliable jump measurements comparable to standard methods.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Sports Science
- Motor Control
Background:
- Consistent external attentional focus instructions improve the reliability of jumping measurements.
- Previous studies explored various external focus instructions, but their effects on vertical jump performance are less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that multiple external attentional focus instructions would yield consistent vertical jump results.
- To compare the effects of different external focus conditions on vertical jump height.
Main Methods:
- A within-participant design was employed with 35 college-aged students performing vertical jumps.
- Participants completed jumps under five conditions: control and four external focus instructions (lower near, upper near, upper far, unreachable far).
- Jump height was measured using a Vertec device, and data were analyzed with a repeated measures ANOVA.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in jump heights were found between the control condition and the external focus of attention conditions (p = .119).
- This indicates that various external attentional cues can be used effectively during a vertical jump.
Conclusions:
- The study suggests that multiple external focus of attention instructions can produce consistent vertical jump results.
- These findings support the use of diverse external cues to enhance the reliability of vertical jump assessments in sports science and biomechanics.
