Consecutive Countermovement Jump

A practical, valid, and reliable measure of lower-body power.

Table of Contents

• What is a Consecutive Countermovement Jump test?
• Test Instructions and Demo
• What do the metrics mean?

What is a Consecutive Countermovement Jump test?

Consecutive countermovement jump (CCMJ) testing is the most reliable measure of lower-body power compared to other popular jump tests such as the squat jump, Abalakow’s jump, Sargent jump, standing long jump and the standing triple jump. The CCMJ test has also been directly linked with 0-30m sprint performances and relative strength during dynamic 1-repetition-max back squat and power clean (citations).

The CCMJ test requires lower-limb joint structures and musculature to transition from loading to absorption (deceleration) to propulsion (acceleration) phases, offering practitioners with an objective measure of total leg power, movement quality and strategies for propulsion and absorption.

Consecutive Countermovement Jump test instructions:

Start the Test

1. In plantiga.io, go to Record (left sidebar)
   1. From the Activity Type drop-down, select Consecutive Countermovement Jump
   2. From the Select People drop-down, select the athlete profile(s) being tested

Check for Warnings

2. It's important to resolve all warnings before starting or data may not be recorded.
3. Click Start

Calibrate

4. Instruct the athlete to stand still with both feet on the ground for 3 seconds at the start of the assessment

Perform the Test

5. Instruct the athlete to put their hands on their hips

6. Once ready, have the athlete perform 5 Consecutive Countermovement Jumps

   Cue: Instruct the athlete to jump as high as they can

End the Test

7. Click Stop when finished
   1. (Optional) Add contextual notes
8. Choose one of the following:
   1. Done – finish and save
   2. Next – start another assessment
   3. Reset – discard the assessment

Consecutive Countermovement Jump Demo

What do the metrics mean?

Average jump height: the average height from all countermovement jumps during a single test.

• Low jump heights indicate poor leg strength capacity.

Average reactive strength index (RSI): the ratio between air time during the jump and ground contact time between jumps. It is an indicator of strength and explosive power.

• An individual with a high RSI during the countermovement jump (>1.0) can either jump higher, or have shorter ground contact time or both, in comparison to low RSI (<0.5) jumpers.

Push-off asymmetry: a comparison of the left vs. right side capacity to accelerate off the ground.

• Push-off asymmetry may occur when the one limb's hip musculature and surrounding tissues are fatigued, weak, or unable to produce enough force to get off the ground.

Impact asymmetry: a comparison of the ability of the left vs. right to absorb the impact when the feet land on the ground between jumps.

• Impact asymmetry may occur during stiffer or more abrupt landing on one limb compared to the other, or if a protective strategy is being used.