A recent study evaluated the accuracy and consistency of a new inertial measurement unit (IMU), the OUTPUT Sports Model V2.0, for measuring countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, comparing it to force plates—the gold standard in the field. Fifty NCAA Division III athletes across basketball, golf, and acrobatics & tumbling performed two CMJs, with jump height (JH), flight time (FT), and take-off velocity (TOV) analyzed from the second trial. The IMU was strapped over the midfoot and sampled at 500 Hz, while the force plate captured data at 1000 Hz. No significant differences were found between the two devices for any of the performance metrics, and strong correlations and reliability scores were reported. Showing a near perfect correlation between the IMU and force plates, meaning that IMU's are valid devices for measuring vertical jump.
These results suggest that the Output Sports IMU is a valid and reliable alternative to force plates for measuring key CMJ variables. For coaches and practitioners looking for portable, cost-effective tools to track jump performance in the field, this device offers a practical solution without compromising data quality. To dive deeper into the specific metrics and statistical comparisons, check out the full study.
