Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41965513›Full record

SynthesisBMC geriatrics2026

Cross-sectional and prospective associations between jump performance and functional outcomes in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Christian Werner, Anna Schumacher, Sandra Lau, Andrea Heinks, Rebecca Diekmann, Phoebe Ullrich, Jürgen M Bauer

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC geriatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Christian Werner *Geriatric Center, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany. christian.werner@med.uni-heidelberg.de.ORCID 0000-0003-0679-3227
Anna Schumacher *Department of Health Services Research, Assistance Systems and Medical Device Technology, School VI - Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0001-5228-4947
Sandra LauGeriatric Center, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0001-8726-3804
Andrea HeinksGeriatric Center, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.ORCID 0009-0006-9061-3514
Rebecca DiekmannDepartment of Health Services Research, Nutrition and Physical Function in Older Adults (Junior Research Group), School VI - Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0001-9793-3832
Phoebe UllrichGeriatric Center, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0003-2138-1327
Jürgen M BauerGeriatric Center, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0001-7379-0646

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundEarly identification of age-related functional decline is essential, yet commonly used mobility assessments often lack sensitivity to detect early decline in high-functioning older adults. Muscle power deteriorates early with aging and has been associated with functional outcomes, suggesting it may be a sensitive marker of functional decline. Jump tests directly assess lower-limb muscle power, but their relationship with functional status or future outcomes has not been synthesized. This review evaluates cross-sectional and prospective associations between jump performance (JP) and functional outcomes in older adults.

methodsA systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, IEEE Xplore, and PEDro was conducted from inception to 18 September 2025. Reference lists were also screened. Eligible studies included older adults (mean age ≥ 65 years), assessed JP using technological devices, and examined cross-sectional or prospective associations with functional outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted when feasible; otherwise, narrative synthesis was performed.

resultsThirty-two studies (7794 participants; 73 ± 5 years) were included, with 16 contributing to meta-analyses. Most studies comprised high-functioning individuals. JP was primarily assessed using countermovement jumps on force platforms (28/32). Functional outcomes included locomotor capacity (LC), physical activity (PA), activities of daily living (ADL), falls, sarcopenia, frailty, and dysmobility syndrome. Methodological quality was predominantly moderate to high (29/32). Meta-analyses were feasible only for cross-sectional associations with LC (544–2519 participants per outcome). Higher jump power showed moderate associations with better performance in Timed Up and Go, gait speed, 5-Chair Stand Test, and Short Physical Performance Battery (|rpooled|= 0.36–0.48). Similar associations were found for jump height (|rpooled|= 0.26–0.40) and jump velocity (|rpooled|= 0.39–0.48). Between-study heterogeneity was predominantly high (I2 > 75% in most analyses; range 38.2–97.5%). Narrative synthesis showed associations of higher JP with greater PA, better ADL, and lower odds of sarcopenia and dysmobility syndrome, but not fall history. Longitudinal evidence was limited to two studies, suggesting prospective associations with falls but not incident (pre-)frailty.

conclusionsJP shows consistent moderate associations with LC in high-functioning older adults, suggesting potential value as a sensitive marker of early mobility decline. Evidence for associations with other functional outcomes and for prospective associations remains limited, highlighting the need for further studies, particularly with longitudinal designs.

trial registrationProspectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020207540).

Indexed as

AgingExercise TestFunctional StatusGeriatric AssessmentMuscle StrengthPhysical Functional PerformanceAgedCross-Sectional StudiesHumansProspective StudiesActivities of daily livingAgingFitness TestingLocomotionMuscle strengthPhysical examinationReview

Identifiers

PMID41965513
PMCPMC13085499

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.