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Springfield College

VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF THE PLYOMAT® DEVICE FOR VERTICAL JUMP HEIGHT MEASUREMENT

Adam E. Feit¹, Michael P. Blazejowski¹, Richard P. Burnett², Nicholas A. Coker¹
¹ Department of Exercise Science and Athletic Training, Springfield College, Springfield MA
² Triple F Elite Sports Training, Knoxville TN / Indianapolis Colts, Indianapolis IN

ABSTRACT

While many devices have been designed to improve the accessibility of vertical jump height measurement, these systems can be costly for practitioners to purchase and maintain, or can be easy to use but not validated for accuracy. Recently, a new system was developed, the Plyomat®, and assessed for its validity and reliability.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the criterion validity of the Plyomat® (VS) against a laboratory-grade force plate (FP) and to assess test-retest reliability of vertical jump height using the Plyomat®.

INTRODUCTION

- The vertical jump measure is a frequently tested key performance metric of lower body power.
- Historically assessed with devices such as Vertec, jump mats, and force platforms.
- Valid and reliable measures are important for athlete profiling, monitoring, and feedback.
- Plyomat® represents a cost-effective and portable alternative to force plates.

METHODS

- Participants: Forty-eight Division-III football players completed two testing sessions, separated by at least 24 hours.
- Protocol: Participants completed 3 countermovement jumps (CMJ) barefoot, with hands on hips.
- Instruments:
• Plyomat® device (measuring flight time).
• Accupower force plate (Watertown, MA, USA).
- Data collection: Jump height calculated using flight time method.
- Reliability assessment: ICC (2,1).

RESULTS

- High degree of test-retest reliability for jump measures from Plyomat®: ICC(2,1) = 0.85 (95% CI: 0.69–0.92), SEM = 2.36 cm.
- Validity against force plate: Mean difference between Plyomat® and force plate = -1.06 ± 3.54 cm (not significant, p > 0.05).
- Strong correlation: r = 0.97 (p < 0.001) between jump height from force plate and Plyomat®.
- Bland-Altman analysis: 95% limits of agreement = -4.87 to 2.85 cm.

Figures:
- Figure 1: Relationship between force plate and Plyomat® measurements.
- Figure 2: Bland-Altman plot comparing force plate and Plyomat®.

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicate the Plyomat® is a valid and reliable tool for vertical jump height measurement.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

- Further studies should evaluate Plyomat® validity for other jump types (e.g., drop jumps, reactive strength index).
- Investigation in different athletic populations recommended.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

This study was preregistered with the Center for Open Science.
Plyomat® was provided by Probotics Technology LLC, but the company had no involvement in study design, data collection, or analysis.