What Determines Your Vertical Jump?

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While stating the obvious, the vertical jump is simply the ability to elevate off the ground in a completely vertical plane. There are two ways to classify a vertical jump: standing and running. A standing jump is where one elevates from a completely stationary position, where a running jump involves taking several steps in order to gain momentum before elevating.

The perception among many is that vertical leap is something that is based solely on genetics, and that not much can be done to improve it. Certainly, genetics do play a significant role, and some individuals are born with incredible vertical leaping abilities. But we have seen individuals, by the way of intensive training, eventually able to dunk a basketball when they had no chance before.

So what exactly determines how high you can jump? There are several factors involved, but there are some that matter more than others. Some of them include muscle fiber composition, tendon length, bone structure, power, muscular strength, and reactive strength.

The first three factors listed are completely genetic, and can't be enhanced no matter what you do. Let's face it, there are some individuals who are just blessed with a disposition for jumping high, just like some are born with the ability to run. Now, jumping and speed can be enhanced, but one can only do so much.

The same can be said for building strength. We can all get stronger, but at some point we reach our genetic limit. The only way we can above and beyond our limits is by putting something artificial into our bodies, which ultimately is detrimental in the long-term.

Muscular strength simply refers to your overall strength levels. The legs play the primary role in jumping, so having good strength here is a start for increasing your vertical. However, your body should have a good balance of strength throughout. This means working out your upper body equally to your lower body. How much you can squat is a good indicator of leg strength.

While strength matters, it can only help so much. This is where power comes in, which is defined as the rate in which your muscles can generate force. So the faster you can produce force, the higher you can jump.

Reactive strength is how fast you are able to absorb force going one direction and apply more of it going another direction. So in other words, the quicker you can jump, the higher you can jump. As you are planting your feet to jump, a lot of force is being directed to the ground. It's your ability to absorb this force and apply it going upwards that allows you to jump high.