ASSOCIATION OF MUSCLE-TENDON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND JUMPING PERFORMANCE –SOME BIOMECHANICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Abstract

Jumping performance in sports was structured at a first glance. Then one-legged take-offs build the focus of the impact of mechanical properties of the muscle-tendon complex and its association to jumping performance. These considerations were consequently transferred to the typical one-legged take-off in sports – the running long jump. Long jump performance is up to 90% determined by the flight distance of the athlete‟s centre of mass is determined by the run-up and the accelerations of the swinging leg and the swinging arms, and the net joint moments at the metatarsalphalangeal joint, the ankle, the knee and the hip joints during the ground contact of take-off. The energy storage and return concept in tendons and ligaments of foot, ankle and knee and potential of energy storage and return was critically discussed. Relevance of mechanical properties of tendons‟ and ligaments‟ has shown some evidence of higher tendon stiffness in elite athletes in jumping events. It was also speculated that a low hysteresis or energy dissipation should have an impact to jumping performance.