Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Optimum take-off techniques for high and long jumps.

R M Alexander1

  • 1Department of Pure and Applied Biology, University of Leeds, U.K.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences
|July 30, 1990
PubMed
Summary

A simple biomechanical model accurately predicts optimal jumping techniques for high jumpers and long jumpers. The model

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Damper for bad vibrations.

Nature·2002
Same author

Design by numbers.

Nature·2001
Same author

The development of fatigue quality in high- and low-stressed tendons of sheep (Ovis aries).

The Journal of experimental biology·2000
Same author

Energy-minimizing choices of muscles and patterns of movement.

Motor control·2000
Same author

Engineering approaches to chewing and digestion.

Science progress·1999
Same author

Bioenergetics. One price to run, swim or fly?

Nature·1999

Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Sports Science
  • Human Movement Analysis

Background:

  • Athletes employ distinct take-off strategies in high jump and long jump.
  • High jumpers use moderate speeds and place the foot forward.
  • Long jumpers utilize higher speeds and a steeper leg angle at foot strike.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate a simple biomechanical model for predicting optimal jumping techniques.
  • To compare model predictions with actual athletic performance in high jump and long jump.

Main Methods:

  • A simplified biomechanical model incorporating muscle mechanical properties was developed.
  • The model predicted optimal foot placement and leg angles for jumping.

Main Results:

  • The model's predictions for optimal take-off techniques closely matched those observed in elite athletes.
  • Predicted optimal techniques were robust and showed little sensitivity to physiological parameter variations.

Conclusions:

  • A straightforward biomechanical model effectively explains optimal jumping strategies.
  • The model's insensitivity to specific physiological parameters suggests a universal principle in jumping biomechanics.

Related Experiment Videos