COMPUTER SIMULATION OF THE TAKEOFF PHASE IN RUNNING JUMPS

Abstract

Our purpose was to investigate the effects of initial conditions and takeoff technique on the performance of running jumps. Matching simulations and optimum simulations were determined for the three takeoff phases of a triple jump performance, a running jumping for height and a running jump for distance. For the triple jump, the optimised simulations used symmetrical ‘double-arm’ shoulder flexion whereas the triple jumper had used an asymmetrical ‘single-arm’ technique. For the jumps for height and distance, optimising each performance for height / distance demonstrated that the initial conditions at touchdown have a substantial effect on the resulting performance. Whilst the takeoff phase is clearly important, if the touchdown conditions are not close to optimal then a jumper is unable to compensate for these shortcomings to achieve a performance close to optimum.