A COMPARISON OF PRACTICE AND COMPETITION APPROACH VELOCITIES AND THE POSITION OF THE TOP HANDHOLD AT THE POLE PLANT IN POLE VAULTERS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether university pole vaulters change their approach velocities and the position of the top handhold, during pole plant between practice and competition. Three male and three female pole-vaulters from a NCAA Division I university were videotaped during a practice and at the following competition. The video data was digitized using the Peak Performance Technologies Motion Measurement digitizing system. A dependent t-test was used to test for significant differences in the parameters between practice and competition. Statistically significant differences were found for the height of the top handhold, and the horizontal velocity at the second to last and the last step. An application for coaches is provided, based on the results of the study.