Dissertations and Theses @ UNI
Availability
Open Access Thesis
Keywords
Human mechanics; Jumping;
Abstract
Many sport activities require the use of the vertical jump in some manner. An approach run to a vertical jump is desirable because it enables a jumper to convert the horizontal momentum that is built up during the preliminary steps into vertical momentum for the jump. Cinematographical analysis was utilized to study what effects the approach path has on the displacement of the body's center of gravity during a vertical jump. Nine college-aged female subjects were filmed with a high speed camera while performing a vertical jump from both a curved and straight approach path. All subjects used a three step approach with a two-foot takeoff. The data was collected, reduced, and analyzed from the film records via a Lafayette Motion Analyzer in conjunction with a Numonic's Graphics Digitizer. The results indicated that neither the curved or straight approach was superior in the performance of a vertical jump for height. Although no significant differences were found to suggest a real mechanical advantage of one approach over the other, moderate differences were noted during specific phases of the approach run and resulting jumps when comparing the curved and straight approaches. These differences may affect the practical application of the study's findings. The following differences were particularly noteworthy: (a) The curved approach enabled the jumpers to position the body's center of gravity more directly above the takeoff point than the straight approach, thereby allowing for a greater vertical velocity and a more nearly complete conversion of momentum. (b) The straight approach generated more horizontal momentum throughout the approach and jump than did the curved approach, creating a greater horizontal displacement of the body's center of gravity from the takeoff to the landing of the jump. In activities where a jump for maximum height is desired, with little horizontal displacement of the body's center of gravity, a curved approach should be used. In vertical jumping activities where horizontal displacement is desirable, the loss of height during the jump is minimal and a straight approach should be used. If a compromise is desired between horizontal and vertical displacement of the body, neither approach seems more advantageous.
Year of Submission
1980
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation
First Advisor
Larry D. Hensley
Second Advisor
John K. Smith
Third Advisor
Lynn King
Date Original
1980
Object Description
1 PDF file (62 leaves)
Copyright
©1980 Joyce Ann Davis
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Davis, Joyce Ann, "Effects of the Approach Path on the Displacement of the Center of Gravity During a Vertical Jump" (1980). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 2454.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/2454
Comments
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