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Preliminary Scale of Reference Values for Evaluating Reactive Strength Index-Modified in Male and Female NCAA Division I Athletes [Article Review]
- GPS DataViz
- Sep 8
- 2 min read
Introduction
Assessing explosive performance in collegiate athletes is a critical challenge for coaches and sports scientists seeking meaningful comparisons and targeted training strategies. In their brief report, "Preliminary Scale of Reference Values for Evaluating Reactive Strength Index-Modified in Male and Female NCAA Division I Athletes," Christopher J. Sole, Timothy J. Suchomel, and Michael H. Stone introduce essential percentile reference data for the Reactive Strength Index-Modified (RSImod), derived from countermovement jump tests in over 150 NCAA Division I athletes. This work provides practitioners with much-needed context for interpreting RSImod scores and understanding the driving factors behind jump performance in male and female athletes.
Key Takeaways
Reference Scales: The authors constructed percentile-based RSImod scales for both male and female athletes, allowing practitioners to benchmark individual scores against a Division I collegiate population.
Sex Differences: Males had higher RSImod and greater jump heights than females, but time to takeoff was nearly identical between sexes. This identifies jump height—not movement speed—as the main source of sex-based RSImod differences.
Performance Groups: Across quartile-based performance groups (upper, upper-middle, lower-middle, lower), jump height clearly separated athlete groups while time to takeoff showed minimal differentiation. RSImod was strongly correlated with jump height in both sexes.
Practical Reliability: The RSImod metric shows high reliability and validity for capturing explosive lower-body performance, reinforcing its value for routine athlete monitoring.
Practical Application
Coaches can use RSImod percentiles to objectively assess athlete explosiveness, identify standout performers, and guide talent selection or targeted development plans. This data is especially useful for setting clear performance goals.
Since jump height is the critical differentiator for RSImod, training interventions aimed at improving explosive power should emphasize strategies to boost vertical jump height, rather than just focusing on enhancing movement speed.
These scales support more data-driven athlete classification and program design, empowering individualized and precise training approaches that acknowledge current strengths and areas for growth.
Conclusion Paragraph
Sole, Suchomel, and Stone’s article advances athletic performance monitoring by filling a key gap in normative data for RSImod. Their carefully constructed reference scales provide sports professionals with the tools to evaluate and compare explosive ability in NCAA Division I athletes with accuracy and nuance. The clear finding that jump height is central to RSImod differences offers practical guidance for future training focus and athlete development. By adopting these norms, practitioners can make more informed decisions, promote fair athlete comparisons, and drive progress towards higher standards of performance.