With the application of biomechanics, any technique can be enhanced and new more effective skills can be created; thereby improving the execution of a sporting action. In addition, the implementation of biomechanics helps to construct more advanced …show more content…
It includes an athlete jumping over a crossbar, supported by two upright poles, to obtain the greatest height. A male high jumper will run a J shaped curve from a distance of between 15-20 metres from the bar. The main reason for the curve is to make the jumper lean away from the bar at the start of their takeoff (Alexander, 1990; Dapena 1992). Upon launch the objective is for the athlete to have their back entirely to the crossbar at the height of the jump, and their head and feet drooping over as their hips clear the height. This is commonly referred to as the arch or layout (Burns, …show more content…
When the high jumper takes off from his approach run he exerts a force to change direction (Coach.org, 2015).
The Law of Acceleration asserts that, “the change in momentum of a body is proportional to the force that acts on the body, and takes place in the direction of that external force” (de Gosson, 2001). More force means greater acceleration. The more force the high jumper exerts at takeoff the greater the acceleration and height reached. As discussed earlier, Kynard’s speed and force at takeoff was greater than mine and corresponding to the Law of Acceleration, his jump should have been greater, which it was (Coach.org, 2015).
The Law of Action and Reaction asserts that, “if a given body acts on a second body with a force, then the latter will act on the first with a force equal in magnitude, but in the opposite direction” (de Gosson, 2001). This demonstrates that as the force Kynard exerted against the ground was greater than mine, the equal and opposite reactionary force would also be greater, resulting in a higher jump (Coach.org,