title: Optimum take-off angle in the standing long jump.
abstract: The aim of this study was to identify and explain the optimum projection angle that maximises the distance achieved in a standing long jump. Five physically active males performed maximum-effort jumps over a wide range of take-off angles, and the jumps were recorded and analysed using a 2-D video analysis procedure. The total jump distance achieved was considered as the sum of three component distances (take-off, flight, and landing), and the dependence of each component distance on the take-off angle was systematically investigated. The flight distance was strongly affected by a decrease in the jumper's take-off speed with increasing take-off angle, and the take-off distance and landing distance steadily decreased with increasing take-off angle due to changes in the jumper's body configuration. The optimum take-off angle for the jumper was the angle at which the three component distances combined to produce the greatest jump distance. Although the calculated optimum take-off angles (19-27 degrees) were lower than the jumpers' preferred take-off angles (31-39 degrees), the loss in jump distance through using a sub-optimum take-off angle was relatively small.
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of Sydney, PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW 1825, Australia.
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wakai
authors.forename: Nicholas P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Linthorne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D014743:Videotape Recording