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

Early 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. A 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. Thirty-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. JP 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. Prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020207540).