Movement Analysis, Workout Builder

In high-impact sports like basketball and volleyball, explosive power and lower limb stability are critical for both performance and injury prevention. Measuring these attributes accurately allows Athletic Trainers to assess an athlete's risk of injury and tailor conditioning programs to enhance lower body strength and resilience. Demotu’s Jump Performance and Lower Limb Power Assessment offers a robust, reliable protocol that doesn’t rely on AI-based systems, providing highly accurate data that trainers can trust.

Our protocol combines precision movement assessments to measure vertical jump height, landing mechanics, and lower body strength. This guide gives Athletic Trainers a quick and effective way to evaluate explosive power and lower limb injury risk, ensuring athletes are fully prepared for the demands of their sport.

Jump Performance and Lower Limb Power Protocol

Functional Assessments

1. Countermovement Jump

Focus: Vertical jump height and power

The countermovement jump is an excellent test for assessing explosive lower body function. Instruct the athlete to bend their knees and then jump as high as possible, recording their vertical jump height. By analyzing jump height and landing mechanic asymmetry between legs, Athletic Trainers can detect potential power imbalances that may increase injury risk. High asymmetry is a red flag, particularly in sports involving frequent jumping and landing.

2. Bilateral Hinge

Focus: Posterior chain activation

The bilateral hinge (such as a deadlift or hip hinge exercise) focuses on activating the posterior chain muscles—primarily the glutes, hamstrings, and lower back. This movement is crucial for lower body stability and helps build strength in the muscles responsible for explosive power. Athletic Trainers should observe any discrepancies in form or control, as they may indicate an imbalance or weakness in the posterior chain that could impact jump performance.

3. Reverse Lunge

Focus: Lower body strength

The reverse lunge is a key assessment for evaluating lower body unilateral strength and stability, specifically in the quads, glutes, and hamstrings. Have the athlete perform a reverse lunge on each leg, focusing on maintaining proper alignment through the knee and hip. Imbalances between legs in this movement can highlight strength deficits that contribute to instability and increase the risk of injuries, particularly ACL injuries.

Joint Comparisons

• Knee Flexion/Extension: Evaluate the athlete’s range of motion in knee flexion and extension. Limited or asymmetrical knee range of motion can lead to improper mechanics during high-impact movements, raising the risk of injury.

• Hip Flexion/Extension: Assessing hip mobility and control is essential for athletes who rely on explosive movements. Restricted hip motion can disrupt movement efficiency and increase stress on the knees and lower back.

Research & Insights

Research indicates that vertical jump height and landing mechanic asymmetry are valuable predictors of lower limb power and injury risk. When significant asymmetries are detected, athletes may be at greater risk for injuries like ACL tears or stress fractures, particularly in high-impact sports that demand frequent jumping and landing. By implementing assessments focused on both symmetry and stability, Athletic Trainers can develop effective injury prevention programs and maximize performance.

Why Demotu’s Protocols are Better Than AI Motion Capture

Unlike AI-based motion capture systems, Demotu’s assessment protocols offer higher accuracy without the need for complex technology. Athletic Trainers benefit from consistent, clear results that don’t rely on artificial intelligence, which can be prone to errors and misinterpretations. Our approach is straightforward and highly precise, giving you the actionable data you need without the overhead of AI systems.

Demotu’s Jump Performance and Lower Limb Power Assessment empowers trainers to identify weaknesses and implement corrective exercises to enhance explosive power and prevent injury. With built-in tools like the workout builder and exercise builder, you can create custom routines to strengthen specific areas identified during the assessment, improving knee stability, hip mobility, and overall lower body power.

How Demotu Supports Injury Prevention and Performance Enhancement

By utilizing Demotu’s assessment protocols, Athletic Trainers gain access to powerful, data-driven insights that inform training programs for lower limb stability and explosive power. Whether you’re assessing knee flexion in a volleyball player or posterior chain strength in a basketball player, our tools are designed to enhance your athletes' performance and longevity.

Incorporate Demotu’s Jump Performance and Lower Limb Power Assessment into your training regimen to ensure athletes are prepared for the physical demands of high-impact sports. Our protocols offer superior accuracy and reliability, helping you protect your athletes and enhance their performance.

Read about our other Lower Body Assessments:

Lower Extremity Injury Risk Protocol
Hip and Knee Mobility/Stability Protocol for Injury Prevention

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