Affiliations: [a] Exercise and Sports Science Program, The University of
Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA | [b] Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University
of Tulsa, Tulsa OK, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: John Caruso, Ph.D., 312 Chapman
Hall, 600 S. College Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA. Tel.: +1 918 631 2924; Fax:
+1 918 631 2068; E-mail: john-caruso@utulsa.edu
Abstract: To assess the reproducibility of data collected from a newly created
instrumented platform that measures vertical jump performance, healthy
college-age subjects (n=178) made three visits to our
laboratory. Per jump, the platform offered six performance-related variables:
static weight, time to takeoff, peak takeoff force, and maximum jump heights as
they ascended, remained in the air and landed. Per subject, the two highest
jumps from the final two visits were used to assess data reproducibility. Prior
to the reproducibility assessment, Z-scores identified statistical outliers
that were removed from subsequent analyses. Paired intra- and inter-jump
session data per variable were assessed with the following statistical
test-retest tools: intraclass correlation coefficients, coefficient of
variation, standard error of measurement, smallest real difference and critical
difference. Current results show most data had a high level of reproducibility
with few exceptions. Since the platform also has potential applicability in the
rehabilitation of disabled persons, future research should assess the data
reproducibility associated with gait, balance and mobility collected from the device.
