For whatever reason deemed necessary, there are ways to increase vertical thrust
and lift, which in turn, will give you the ability to jump a little higher.
Usually it is training for the world of sport which utilises jumping the most,
from the obvious skills displayed in basketball and volleyball, to the rapid but
less frequent responses in cricket and football.
Even if it's for the celebratory leap in the air, finding ways to increase
vertical height can prove to be beneficial to your overall health and skill
sets. The training involved in exercising for jumping allows the participant to
receive good overall cardiovascular workout, as well as increased agility,
endurance and strength.
Vertical jumping skills are controlled largely by the thighs. Along with inner
abs, they are the major players when it comes to power movements within the body
and so, by training these to be efficient and powerful at the same time, they,
in return have the potential to deliver controlled, accurate jumps.
The calf muscles also play a pivotal role in leaping in the air, so stretching
and strengthening these are paramount to keeping the legs in good shape and
generating explosive speed and velocity which will produce a better jump. When
these muscles are stretched out and healthy, then better circulation runs
through them, improving and maintaining healthy operation.
Forgetting never to warm up, jogging is a good way to work the entire body, as
well as the leg muscles and joints. This, along with skipping rope are good ways
to warm up and add to the agility and suppleness of the entire body too.
Along with good cardio workouts, there are other factors that come into play
when learning ways to increase vertical height on your jumps. The biceps for
example, along with the shoulder muscles come into play with the swinging action
created by the arms. The arms lead the way into the air when jumping, so these
are important parts to strengthen and train, along with the often forgotten
toes.
Being the final contact point with the ground before jumping fully, any extra
force which can be created by them through strength training may just give you
that extra lift. Extra lift than can propel you head and shoulders above your
fellow competitors.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jumpmanu/