title: Why do people jump the way they do?
abstract: When humans perform maximum height squat jumps, their segmental rotations contribute in a proximodistal sequence to the vertical acceleration of the center of gravity. The same kinematic pattern occurs in a forward dynamic model of the musculoskeletal system when muscle stimulation is optimized to maximize jump height. This paper examines why this kinematic pattern maximizes jump height in humans, given the design of the human musculoskeletal system.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Fundamental and Clinical Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorststraat 9, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m_f_bobbert@fbw.vu.nl
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Bobbert
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van Soest
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006615:Hip / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D007717:Knee / Q000502:physiology; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D012399:Rotation; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis