Assessing Vertical Jump Developmental Levels in Childhood Using a Low-Cost Motion Capture Approach

Understanding the developmental levels of fundamental movement skills has a critical role in the improvement of motor competence in childhood. In this respect, the use of Microsoft Kinect to assess vertical jumping skill and to predict developmental levels in 9- to 12-yr.-old children was evaluated. 41 boys and girls repeated the countermovement jump test three times. Vertical jumping skill levels were categorized using observational records, while kinematic and temporal parameters were estimated using a biomechanical model based on data acquired by the Kinect. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and discriminant analysis verified that the height of the jump and the flight height predict the primary differences in jumping skill developmental levels, and the Kinect-based assessment discriminates these levels.