Maintenance of body orientation in the flight phase of long jumping

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the contributions of the various body segments to the maintenance of body orientation during the flight phase of the long jump. Proper maintenance of body orientation was defined to be achieved if the net angular displacement of the head-and-trunk segment was zero during the flight phase of the long jump. To achieve a zero net angular displacement of the head-and-trunk segment a long jumper needs to execute appropriate arm and leg movements relative to the head-and-trunk segment to counteract the effects of the whole body transverse centroidal angular momentum imparted at takeoff. The contributions of arm and leg movements to the maintenance of body orientation are discussed for the specific cases of a sail and a 2 1/2 hitch-kick long jump. Inherent weaknesses of the sail and hitch-kick techniques, as well as specific weaknesses of two athletes executing these techniques, are discussed with reference to body orientation during the flight phase of the long jump.