Kinematic study of standing long jump in preadolescents before the occurrence of maximum growth age

The aims of this study were to identify the kinematics characteristics of the standing long jump (SLJ) performance in groups of Mexican girls and boys, with a chronological age such that theoretically, corresponds to the age before the occurrence of the maximum growth. The jump distance is largely dependent on the kinematic values at the time of takeoff. A calculation method was used from video recordings of the sagittal projection of jumps. The location of the body mass center at takeoff was the source for measuring the kinematic values. The Mann-Whitney U non-parametric Test (p < 0.05) and a Z-scores analysis were applied to assess differences between the groups. Almost the 60% of all the participants are within the range that is considered as average BMI and stature, according to the WHO growing standard values. In the sample, boys are bigger, probably stronger and jump longer than girls. Although the statistical tests show there are some similarities, mainly in the older groups, it is not possible to conclude that girls and boys in the sample have an equally performance in the Standing Long Jump.