How could ancient Greek athletes jump 16 meters and why modern athletes not? A multidisciplinary approach to unravel the technique of the ancient Greek halma

Abstract

The halma, which the ancient Greek pentathletes performed, included a standardized 10,5-meter run-up, which means that they still had to jump at least 5,5 meters with halteres in their hands in order to reach a record length of more than 16 meters. So the question is whether our modern record holders of the long jump are able to jump such a distance with halteres in their hands? They are probably capable to do so, but -as the English saying states that "The proof of the pudding is in the eating"the proof of the jumping with halteres is in the testing! Which faculty or department of physical education or kinesiology will prove that such a jump is feasible?