Kinematic analysis of the final stride approach in Spanish elite high jumpers

Abstract

In high jumping, the horizontal velocity which jumpers aim to reach by the end of the run-up must be the maximum that they can control, enabling them to clear the greatest height possible. Furthermore, jumpers should reach the point of take-off with the lowest possible centre of mass (CM) to increase the thrust during take-off and thus produce a greater vertical velocity of the CM at the end of this phase. The aim of this study was to identify genderrelated differences in the kinematic parameters of the sprint. The sample comprised 14 high jumpers (n = 8 males and n = 6 females) who were analysed during an official competition and recorded with four high speed panning cameras (sampling frequency: 50 fps). The results showed gender-related differences in the maximum height attained by the centre of mass during the flight phase (p = 0.004; Effect Size = 0.93) and in flight effectiveness (p ≤ 0.001; ES = 5.53), but not in jump effectiveness. Gender-related differences were not detected between the trajectory followed by the CM in the final supports of the run-up and the curve radius or in the direction of the final supports either. In conclusion, there are no significant gender differences in the run-up.