BIOMECHANICS OF SKI-JUMPING (PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE)

##article.abstract##

From the first official registered length of jump (Norwegian Olaf Ray jumped 9.5m in 1808) up until today's situation (jumps reach almost 200m) the exciting discipline of ski-jumping has developed substantially. Straumann (1926, 1951, 1952) started work on the mechanical solution of ski-jumping and its relation to the construction of jumping hills. Since that time biomechanical research on ski jumping has developed rapidly. Research methods have involved combinations of the following: kinematic analysis, dynamometric analysis of the take-off, wind tunnel experimentation, and modeling of the flight curve. Researchers have focused on various phases of ski-jumping and the biomechanical examination of the athlete's movement characteristics. From a description and explanation of the athlete's ski-jumping technique the researchers have drawn conclusions which have helped to accelerate the development of technique and the quality of the training process. This paper provides a biomechanical description of the key ski jumping movements. Results of the research from our laboratory as well as fiom others are presented fiom a historical perspective and are related to their contribution of technique development. The main focus is on the current status of our biomechanical knowledge of ski jumping performance and future trends.