Jumps Decathlon

The 10 events

The Jumps Decathlon (Arnold 1987)^[1] is easy to carry out and is an excellent way to test an athlete's elastic strength. The Jumps Decathlon comprises of the following 10 events:

Required Resources

• Assistant
• Stopwatch
• Measuring tape 30m
• Cones
• Sandpit

How to conduct the test

For each event allow two or three successful attempts recording the best distance/time.

Standing Long Jump

• The athlete warms up for 10 minutes
• The athlete places their feet over the edge of the sandpit, crouches down, leans forward, swings their arms backwards, then swings the arms forward and pushing off with the legs jumps horizontally as far as possible into the sandpit.
• The assistant measures and records the distance from the edge of the sandpit to the nearest point of contact the athlete made in the sandpit

Standing triple jump

• The athlete performs a standing triple jump starting with the take off foot in full contact with the ground, the other leg is swung to provide the initial forward momentum, and completes the jump landing with the feet together
• The assistant measures and records the distance achieved

2 hops, step and jump

• The athlete performs 2 hops, 1 step
• and a jump starting with the take off foot in full contact with the ground, the other leg is swung to provide the initial forward momentum, and completes the jump landing with the feet together
• The assistant measures and records the distance achieved

2 hops, 2 steps and jump

• The athlete performs 2 hops, 2 steps and a jump starting with the take off foot in full contact with the ground, the other leg is swung to provide the initial forward momentum, and completes the jump landing with the feet together
• The assistant measures and records the distance achieved

2 hops, 2 steps and 2 jumps

• The athlete performs 2 hops, 2 steps and 2 jumps starting with the take off foot in full contact with the ground, the other leg is swung to provide the initial forward momentum, and completes each jump landing with the feet together. The second jump is a two footed take off
• The assistant measures and records the distance achieved

5 spring jumps (Bunny hops)

• The athlete performs 5 successive two footed bounds (bunny hops) with the feet kept together in a continuous movement
• The assistant measures and records the distance achieved

Standing 4 hops and a jump

• The athlete performs 4 hops (right leg) and a jump starting with the take off foot in full contact with the ground, the other leg is swung to provide the initial forward momentum, and completes the jump landing with the feet together
• The assistant measures and records the distance achieved
• The athlete repeats the test executing the hops with the left leg
• The assistant measures and records the distance achieved
• The assistant calculates and records the average of the two recorded distances

Running 4 hops and jump

• The athlete performs 4 hops (right leg) and a jump starting with an unlimited run up and completes the jump landing with the feet together
• The assistant measures and records the distance achieved
• The athlete repeats the test executing the hops with the left leg
• The assistant measures and records the distance achieved
• The assistant calculates and records the average of the two recorded distances

25 metre hop

• The assistant marks out a 25 metre section
• The assistant gives the command "GO" and starts the stopwatch
• The athlete, from a standing start, hops on the right leg over the 25 metre section as fast as possible
• The assistant stops the stopwatch when the athlete completes the 25 metre section and records the time
• The athlete repeats the test executing the hops with the left leg
• The assistant calculates and records the average of the two recorded times

5 stride long jump

• The athlete performs a long jump off 5 strides into the sand pit - long jump rules apply
• The assistant measures and records the distance achieved

The points allocated by this calculator do not match exactly with the printed Jumps Decathlon tables (Arnold 1987)^[1]. A copy of these tables, in Adobe PDF format, is available via this link.

Analysis

Analysis of the test result is by comparing it with the athlete's previous results for this test. It is expected that, with appropriate training between each test, the analysis would indicate an improvement in the athlete's leg power.

Target Group

This test is suitable for jumpers (e.g. long jump, high jump) but not for individuals where the test would be contraindicated.

Reliability

Test reliability refers to the degree to which a test is consistent and stable in measuring what it is intended to measure. Reliability will depend upon how strict the test is conducted and the individual's level of motivation to perform the test. The following link provides a variety of factors that may influence the results and therefore the test reliability.

Validity

Test validity refers to the degree to which the test actually measures what it claims to measure and the extent to which inferences, conclusions, and decisions made on the basis of test scores are appropriate and meaningful. This test provides a means to monitor the effect of training on the athlete's physical development.There are published tables to relate results to potential performance in competition.

Advantages

• Minimal equipment required
• Simple to set up and conduct
• The test can be administered by the athlete

Disadvantages

• Specific facilities required
• Assistant required to administer the test

Free Calculator

• Jumps Decathlon Points Calculator - a free Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that you can download and use on your computer.

Referenced Material

1. ARNOLD, M. (1987) Long Jump. 4th ed. London: BAAB. p. 46-47

Page Reference

The reference for this page is:

• MACKENZIE, B. (2001) Jumps Decathlon [WWW] Available from: http://www.brianmac.co.uk/jumpsdec.htm [Accessed

Associated Pages

The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:

• Articles on Performance Evaluation
• Evaluation and Performance Tests