What it measures
Concentric explosive power augmented by the stretch-shortening cycle (eccentric pre-load). The most-used single jump test for sport-science labs and field testing.
Equipment
- Vertec, jump mat, or contact mat — or a force plate for power output
- Optional: smartphone slow-motion app (60+ fps) for height estimation
- Tape measure if using reach-height differences
Protocol
- Athlete stands with feet shoulder-width apart, hands fixed on hips (no arm swing) for a 'no-arm' CMJ.
- On command, athlete dips quickly to a self-selected depth (~90° knee flexion) and immediately jumps maximally upward.
- Land on the same spot with both feet — non-controlled landings are voided.
- Allow 60 seconds between trials. Best of 3 attempts.
- If using arm swing, record it separately — arm-swing CMJ typically adds 4–8 cm.
Scoring
Jump height in cm or inches. Performance House also accepts peak-power output (W) if you have a force-plate setup. Pair with the squat jump to compute the Eccentric Utilization Ratio (EUR = CMJ height ÷ SJ height).
Typical ranges
Elite male field sport: 50–70 cm. NCAA male basketball: 60–80 cm (arm swing). NCAA women's soccer: 35–45 cm. High-school athletes: 35–55 cm.
References
- Bosco C, Luhtanen P, Komi PV (1983). A simple method for measurement of mechanical power in jumping. Eur J Appl Physiol.
Use this test in Performance House
Performance House supports Countermovement Jump (CMJ) as a built-in test metric — log results from any device, see longitudinal trends, and contribute the result to the athlete's Performance Index automatically. Free for up to 5 athletes on the Starter plan.
Browse the full protocol library for related tests, or jump to one of the related protocols below.