Vertical Jump Power Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the vertical jump power calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

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Formulas Used

Peak Power (Sayers)

peak_power_sayers = 60.7 * jump_height_cm + 45.3 * body_mass_kg - 2055

Peak Power per kg

peak_power_per_kg = (60.7 * jump_height_cm + 45.3 * body_mass_kg - 2055) / body_mass_kg

Jump Height

jump_height_inches = jump_height_cm / 2.54

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
jump_height_cmVertical Jump Height(cm)55
body_mass_kgBody Mass(kg)80

How It Works

Vertical Jump Power Estimation

The vertical jump is a standard test of lower-body explosive power. The Sayers equation converts jump height and body mass into peak power.

Sayers Equation

Peak Power (W) = 60.7 x Jump Height (cm) + 45.3 x Body Mass (kg) - 2055

This regression equation was developed by Sayers et al. (1999) and validated against force plate measurements. It is one of the most widely used field-test power equations in sports science.

Worked Example

An 80 kg athlete with a 55 cm vertical jump.

jump_height_cm = 55body_mass_kg = 80
  1. 01Peak power = 60.7 x 55 + 45.3 x 80 - 2055
  2. 02= 3,338.5 + 3,624 - 2,055
  3. 03= 4,907.5 W (approximately 4,908 W)
  4. 04Power per kg = 4,908 / 80 = 61.3 W/kg
  5. 05Jump height = 55 / 2.54 = 21.7 inches

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