Triple Jump Biomechanics
Triple Jump Biomechanics
Triple Jump it is where an athlete sprints down a track, takes off at the board on one leg, hops, then again on the same leg before stepping onto the opposite leg and jumping into a pit of sand. This is called “hop, step and jump”. To be successful the athlete must be a fast sprinter with strong Gluteus, Hamstring, Iliopsoas, Quadriceps and Vastus muscle groups and core muscles: transverse and rectus abdominus, obliques and latissimus dorsi. They must also have the coordination and balance to complete the triple jump technique.
Start, run-up, pre-take-off, hop, step, jump, flight and landing are the specific stages of triple jump. At the very start the athlete must overcome inertia to aid in gaining momentum, this can be done by stepping into their run-up or using the “rock back” method.
During the run-up the athlete needs to gain as much speed and forward momentum as possible. To do this they must use the correct sprinting technique. The elbows should be at 90 degrees and should not cross over the runner’s body to can keep their momentum going forwards and linear to the direction they are travelling. The runner should be looking straight ahead with a straight back. The knees should also be at 90 degrees to produce the as much power and drive as possible. Their feet should be striking the ground underneath them and not in front of them; this prevents “blocking” which reduces the ability to get maximum acceleration.
Just before the athlete begins the hop phase they take a slightly shorter step which lowers their centre of gravity. This helps them transfer some of their forward momentum upwards so they can drive themselves into the air.
During the hop stage, the knee slightly extends as the leg swings forward caused by contraction of the quadriceps. The same arm pushes upwards at the shoulder joint to help drive the momentum upwards. The opposite knee flexes and extends in a “cycling” motion this aids the jumper in
Triple Jump it is where an athlete sprints down a track, takes off at the board on one leg, hops, then again on the same leg before stepping onto the opposite leg and jumping into a pit of sand. This is called “hop, step and jump”. To be successful the athlete must be a fast sprinter with strong Gluteus, Hamstring, Iliopsoas, Quadriceps and Vastus muscle groups and core muscles: transverse and rectus abdominus, obliques and latissimus dorsi. They must also have the coordination and balance to complete the triple jump technique.
Start, run-up, pre-take-off, hop, step, jump, flight and landing are the specific stages of triple jump. At the very start the athlete must overcome inertia to aid in gaining momentum, this can be done by stepping into their run-up or using the “rock back” method.
During the run-up the athlete needs to gain as much speed and forward momentum as possible. To do this they must use the correct sprinting technique. The elbows should be at 90 degrees and should not cross over the runner’s body to can keep their momentum going forwards and linear to the direction they are travelling. The runner should be looking straight ahead with a straight back. The knees should also be at 90 degrees to produce the as much power and drive as possible. Their feet should be striking the ground underneath them and not in front of them; this prevents “blocking” which reduces the ability to get maximum acceleration.
Just before the athlete begins the hop phase they take a slightly shorter step which lowers their centre of gravity. This helps them transfer some of their forward momentum upwards so they can drive themselves into the air.
During the hop stage, the knee slightly extends as the leg swings forward caused by contraction of the quadriceps. The same arm pushes upwards at the shoulder joint to help drive the momentum upwards. The opposite knee flexes and extends in a “cycling” motion this aids the jumper in