How to Jump Higher: Fitness Q & A - Complex activity goes into improving the vertical jump

South Bend Tribune - A reader wrote in asking how to help his nephew improve his vertical leap. This is part of the response:

A good/high vertical jump requires superb coordination of the entire body to produce force against the ground and against the force of gravity in order to propel the body into the air. The focal points of the body that the athlete must coordinate are the joints at the ankles, knees, and hips to perform what is referred to as a triple extension (extension at the ankles, knees, and hips) on the jumping phase.

And, since the production and transference of force for the vertical jump is from the ground up to the top of the body or end of the extended hands, one must have a strong and stable core (central portion of the body that supports the body's extremities, i.e. arms and legs). This is important, because power must transfer from the lower extremities to the upper extremities during the jumping phase. And if the core is not strong and stable, power can be decreased in transference thus resulting in a less-than-desirable jump height.

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