RELATIVE CONTRIBUTION OF THE JOINT MOMENTS TO THE ANGULAR ACCELERATION OF THE LOWER LIMB IN HOPING EXERCISE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to estimate the ability of joint moments to transfer mechanical energy through all the leg segments during a cyclic hoping exercise. The technique was applied to data from 4 triathlon athletes to characterize the relative ability of the lower limb joint moments to accelerate the ankle, knee and hip joints. Our findings show that the strategies used to maintain the same jumping height rely on the balance between the joint net moments to guarantee the acceleration of the joints. While the ankle and knee moments reduced their contribution to accelerate the ankle and the knee joints, the hip moments increased their participation.