Effect of gender, carrying and planting the pole on approach step parameters in young pole vaulters

Abstract

In pole vaulting, take-off speed is considered as a major determinant of performance. Pole carriage could affect the speed acquired during the approach and at the take-off. This study investigated different types of runs performed randomly by young male and female expert athletes: maximal sprint, maximal pole carriage run, maximal run-up with simulated pole plant and competition situation. Speed profile was determined with a radar gun and spatiotemporal parameters were recorded for the last 20 m of the approach with the Optojump Next system. For both genders, mechanical variables were compared using two-way ANOVAs with repeated measurements. Pole carriage represents the main cause of speed decrease for both men (−5.8%) and women (−6.2%). A step rate decrease during pole carriage was pointed out with an increase of contact time for both men and women. Significant speed decrease was observed for women at the take-off compared to pole plant simulation (−4.3%), while not for men. Those results provide a new insight for pole vault training allowing to update training process with specific exercises leading to reduce speed loss at take-off.

Success to Clear the Bar in Elite Pole Vaulters is Affected by Step Frequency Perturbation

“…Carrying the pole has a slightly higher magnitude effect on exerted force than velocity, which suggests a higher force deficit that affects horizontal thrust ( Frère et al, 2017 ). During the acceleration phase, vaulters run with the pole fixed at a particular position and are forced to lean backward to counter its weight, adversely affecting sprinting mechanics due to the created anterior imbalance ( Cassirame et al, 2022 ; Frère et al, 2009 ). Subsequently, at the final phase of the approach, the lowering of the pole increases gravitational torque forcing the centre of gravity of the vaulter-pole system to translate ahead of ground support.…”