Vertical leap is not simply a measurement of how high a person can do a vertical jump. The vertical leap for many years has been seen as a direct assessment of any athlete's capabilities. Vertical leap is considered so important that the NFL has cut down its initial athletic assessments to just one single exercise measurement - the vertical leap.

There is much dispute on basketball discussion boards and forums as to who holds the world record for the highest vertical leap. The dispute often arises because of a misunderstanding of how a proper vertical leap is measured. As an athlete, it is important to be able to accurately measure your vertical leap so that you can measure your progress. As a vertical leap jumper, it is important to prove your vertical leap jumps.

This article will explore the many aspects of vertical leap jumping and how any athlete can increase their vertical leap by just following the single most effective exercise for increasing and improving vertical leap.

There is much dispute and heated discussion about the highest vertical leap record holder. Extra inches can be gained just by the player shrugging his shoulders on the initial reach - giving them an easy 2 inch gain from the start. LeBron James was measured in high school at achieving a 37 inch vertical leap. David Thompson was measured at 48 inches. David has a dunk called the "rock a bye baby".

Others claim the highest vertical leap record is held by Kaduor Ziani while others loudly claim the Air Up There TJ Fontenette holds the ultimate world record for the highest vertical leap jump ever and have seen video footage to prove it. Fontenette is the first man to have completed a 720 degree dunk and is still the only person to have done so.

Regardless of who you believe to be the world's best vertical leap record holder (both past and present) one thing is sure...being able to dunk a basketball with an amazing vertical leap has not only been the source of awe for basketball fanatics around the world but also something that will quickly catch the eye of scouts.

Vertical leap is a power movement more than anything else and it is executed in very rapid time. As with most things in life, there is a right way and a wrong way to truly measure vertical leap. There are many ways you can measure your vertical leap.

The most common method for measuring vertical leap involves:

Standing with your side right up against a wall (however NOT on your toes), reaching up as high as you possibly can all the while standing straight against the wall. Either mark yourself or have a friend mark the spot where the top of your hand reached. You now have the first measurement needed for measuring your vertical leap.

Now stand once again with your side right up against the wall (again not on your toes) and do a vertical jump as high as you possibly can. Once more, make a mark with your hand where the top of your hand reached (an easy way to actually do this is with saliva, believe it or not).

Measure the vertical distance between the two markings and you now have a measurement of your vertical leap. Pencil the date in at the top mark and you then have a way of regularly checking the progress of your vertical leap program.

Of course, there is a better way to measure vertical leap than vertical jumping against a wall and trying to measure your vertical leap, however this can prove expensive. There is a vertical leap measuring system called "Jump-It" which is used predominantly by sporting clubs and associations as it may be too pricey for individual home use.

Without a doubt, the most integral and critical exercise for increasing vertical leap is the single leg hyperextension. When the single leg hyperextension is executed correctly it builds the "pulling power" of the hamstrings. Reps and sets are performed on one leg at a time.

It is important to perform the single leg hyperextension on your weaker leg FIRST and then follow with your stronger leg. This will complete one set of single leg hyperextension. Implementing this simple core exercise to increase and improve your vertical leap will show quick results.

Once your vertical leap program starts to improve and increase your vertical leap jump you may find some of your friends and family members sceptical of your vertical leap jumping results. Don't despair. You will be able to provide all the proof that you need by videoing your vertical leap jumping and posting them on such sites as Google Video, Yahoo Video, YouTube and MetaCafe.

As I have outlined, there is much dispute about the world record holder for the highest vertical leap. Whether you believe it's LeBron James, David Thompson, Air Up There or someone different altogether, one thing is very clear...vertical leap is the measure set by world athletic associations for determining an athlete's professional capabilities and, ultimately, their professional athletic career. If a professional athletic career is your ultimate goal then be sure to find the right vertical leap program for you to help make your dreams a well-earned reality. Good luck in increasing your vertical leap!