A jump height tells you what happened. The force-time trace helps you explore how it happened. Learn to interpret countermovement jump (CMJ) data with more confidence, from reliable measurement through to useful practitioner reporting.
From a repeatable jump test to a more informed conversation.What you’ll learn
- Understand what a force platform measures and how a force-time trace is produced.
- Recognise the phases of a CMJ and the assumptions behind derived measures.
- Interpret jump height, impulse, braking and propulsion metrics in context.
- Consider test consistency, normal variability and the limits of asymmetry measures.
- Turn data into clear, defensible reporting for athletes and staff.
Interpret the trace in context. Conceptual visual; not actual athlete test data.Inside the course
The course contains 20 lessons: 19 numbered teaching lessons across four modules, plus a dedicated glossary. They take you from measurement fundamentals and CMJ phases to meaningful metrics, variability and reporting. Worked examples, a downloadable CMJ trial-selection workbook, a practitioner report worksheet, a course glossary and cited research help connect the concepts to practice.
Explore inside · The ADP learning preview
Same jump height. The same performance story?
Try a short interpretation exercise before you enrol. The course helps you move from a result on a screen to a clear question, a quality check and a defensible report.
Worked example · fictional data
Two countermovement jumps, one athlete
An athlete produces the following results on two occasions. Both reports use the same jump-height method and define time to take-off from movement onset to take-off.
| Measure | Occasion 1 | Occasion 2 |
|---|
| Jump height | 30 cm | 30 cm |
|---|
| Time to take-off | 0.70 s | 0.85 s |
|---|
Before drawing a conclusion: What does this comparison show, and what would you check next?
Try a knowledge check
Which interpretation is most defensible?
- The athlete’s jump performance is unchanged in every respect because jump height is identical.
- Jump height is the same, but the reported time to take-off is longer. Check trial quality, protocol consistency and the full trace before interpreting why.
- The longer time proves that the athlete is fatigued and should miss training.
Reveal the answer and reasoning
B. The outcome is the same in this example, while the reported duration differs. That is a reason to investigate how the movement was performed and measured.
Review the force-time trace and phase timings, consistent instructions, movement-onset detection and repeated trials. Compare the change with the athlete’s usual variability and wider context. These two values alone cannot identify the cause, establish fatigue or determine readiness to train.
Tools to support your next interpretation
CMJ trial-selection workbookPractise reviewing trial quality and selecting useful results.
Practitioner report worksheetStructure observations, interpretations and next steps clearly.
Course glossaryKeep the language of force plate testing close at hand as you learn.
A shortened teaching example with invented values. The full course develops measurement fundamentals, CMJ phases, metrics, variability and reporting across four modules.
Who it’s for
For sport scientists, strength and conditioning coaches, performance practitioners and rehabilitation staff who want a stronger foundation for reading force plate data and communicating what it can—and cannot—show.
Assessment and certificate
Complete the 20-question assessment with a score of 80% or higher to earn a certificate of completion.
Ready to look beyond jump height? Enrol for £29 using the purchase option above.
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