STEP CHARACTERISTICS DURING LONG JUMP APPROACH: RELIANCE AND ASYMMETRY CONSIDERATIONS

Abstract

This study's aim was to investigate step characteristic reliance and asymmetry during the long jump approach. Spatiotemporal data of the approach run were collected in national and international athletic competitions of 10 males (age 26.2 & 4.1 yrs, height 1.84 & 0.06 m, mass 72.77 i 3.23 kg, PB 7.96 i 0.30 m) and 9 females (26.3 i 2.19 yrs, 1.73 i 0.05 m, 55.75 * 3.79 kg, 6.68 * 0.20 m). Only two males showed step length reliance and only during late approach. Step frequency reliance was demonstrated during total, early and late approach, most prevalently during the latter (7110 male & 319 female). Four males and females displayed step length asymmetry whilst three males and two females were asymmetrical for frequency. No athletes showed step velocity asymmetry. In conclusion, asymmetrical demands of take-off were not consistently reflected in step characteristics.