The Relationship Between Foot Anthropometry And Jump Performance

Previous studies have examined how gross anthropometric measures such as weight, stature, and lower limb length affect jump performance (Fattahi et al., 2012; Aouadi et al., 2012). However, there is a gap in research investigating the relationship between acute anthropometric measures, such as heel length, toe length, and arch height, and jump performance. In addition, many previous studies do not include women (Baxter et al., 2011; Lee & Piazza, 2012; Scholz et al., 2008). This study examined acute anthropometric measure in relation to jump performance. It also included both men and women. We hypothesized that longer toes, shorter heels, and higher arches would predict a higher jump. Twenty-one females and twenty-one males participated in the study. Various gross and acute anthropometric measurements were recorded for each subject. Each subject performed three countermovement jumps (CMJs) and three squat jumps (SJs). Statistical analysis revealed that men jumped significantly higher than women, and were significantly larger for all anthropometric measures. For men only, no single anthropometric measure predicted jump height. For women only, shorter toes correlated with higher CMJs (r= -0.604, p < 0.05), shorter feet correlated with higher CMJs and SJs (r= -0.533, r= -0.463, p < 0.05), and lower weight correlated with higher SJs (r= -0.464, p < 0.05). These results suggest that the relationship between anthropometry and jump performance should not be assumed to be similar for men and women.<p></p>