Validation of the Wii™ Balance Board for countermovement jump height assessment in healthy adults

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Vertical jump height assessment is essential for clinical evaluation and monitoring athletic performance. The force platform (Infini-T P6000) is considered the gold standard, whereas the Wii™ Balance Board (WBB) platform is a low-cost and more accessible alternative yet to be validated.

AIM: To investigate the reliability and agreement between Infini-T P6000 and WBB in measuring vertical jump height.

METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study. Seventy-nine participants performed countermovement jumps on both platforms, in randomized order. Cronbach's alpha was calculated to verify consistency between methods, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC:3.1) to verify consistency and absolute agreement, standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimum detectable change (MDC95). Systematic differences between methods were investigated during the ICC analysis using repeated-measures ANOVA (Between Items) and using Bland–Altman analysis. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

RESULTS: Cronbach’s alpha was 0.923, indicating excellent internal consistency. The ICC ranged from 0.848 to 0.857, confirming high reliability in both definitions. The repeated-measures ANOVA performed during the ICC test revealed significant systematic differences between the methods [F(1,78)=7.514; p=0.008], with mean jump heights of 15.98±5.72 cm (Infini-T P6000) and 16.90±5.45 cm (WBB), resulting in a systematic bias of +0.92 cm favoring WBB, confirmed by Bland–Altman analysis. SEM was 0.86 cm and MDC95≈2.38 cm.

INTERPRETATION: WBB shows high reliability in measuring jump height but systematically overestimates values compared to Infini-T P6000. Although the bias is smaller than the MDC95, it compromises direct interchangeability between methods. Standardization of the measurement device in longitudinal assessments or applying a correction offset (Infini-T P6000≈WBB–0.92) is recommended.