Does Verbal Feedback Type Impact Maximum Vertical Jump Height?

Abstract

Record ID: 240

Program Affiliation: Capstone

Presentation Type: Poster

Abstract: Verbal feedback has been found to increase performance of tasks such as swimming, running, and walking. Verbal feedback works by mediating the effects of fatigue to achieve more optimal levels of efficiency, speed, etc. There are two types of verbal feedback: positive and negative. While there are studies that show the effectiveness of positive feedback on performance, there is not consistent data comparing the effectiveness of either positive or negative feedback. Furthermore, little data exists showing how the gender of the proctor (encourager) can affect the performance of the athlete. The purpose of the study was to see how positive feedback versus negative feedback from either the same or opposite gender proctor/encourager affected the maximal vertical jump height during repeated jumps.  Twenty subjects were recruited, screened for eligibility, and, after consenting to participate, completed a questionnaire with demographic and personality-based questions. Participants then were shown a video on how to perform a vertical jump, before performing 3 sets of 15 maximum vertical jumps set to a metronome with one minute of rest between sets with no verbal feedback (baseline). The height of the jumps were measured using a digital jump mat. Participants then completed 2 additional days of testing (with at least 2 days rest in-between) where additional sets of jumps were completed with the addition of either positive or negative feedback (randomized). For half the participants, the encourager was the same gender as the participant, and for the other half the encourager was the opposite gender.