The aim of this study was to examine the validity, reliability, and utility of a method for evaluating the characteristics of the counter movement jump. Fifty-two male track and field athletes (sprinters or decathletes) jumped from a 30-cm platform and consciously changed their counter movement times. This study determined the counter movement time required to achieve the highest jump.
The results are summarized as follows:
1. The waveform between the counter movement time and jumping height was an inverted U-shape.
2. It is normally accepted that the optimum counter movement time is determined via the jump test.
3. There was a significant correlation between the first test and the re-test in terms of the counter movement time.
4. Participants were classified into five groups based on their optimum counter movement times and highest jumping heights.
These results suggest that the newly developed jumping test discussed in this study is a valid method for evaluating the characteristics of counter movement.
