Kinematics of the Final Approach and Take-Off Phases in World-Class Men and Women Pole Vaulters
The pole vault is a highly technical event where the athletes must successfully convert horizontal velocity during the run-up to vertical velocity at take-off. The aim of this study was to compare the kinematics of men's and women's world-class pole vaulting. Video data were collected of t...
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| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2022.835659/full |
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| author | Brian Hanley Helen J. Gravestock Mike Hopkinson Giorgos P. Paradisis Stéphane Merlino Athanassios Bissas Athanassios Bissas |
| author_facet | Brian Hanley Helen J. Gravestock Mike Hopkinson Giorgos P. Paradisis Stéphane Merlino Athanassios Bissas Athanassios Bissas |
| author_sort | Brian Hanley |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The pole vault is a highly technical event where the athletes must successfully convert horizontal velocity during the run-up to vertical velocity at take-off. The aim of this study was to compare the kinematics of men's and women's world-class pole vaulting. Video data were collected of the best clearances by 14 men and 11 women at the 2018 IAAF World Indoor Championships using three high-speed cameras (200 Hz). Running velocity, step lengths, step times, and pole angles were measured during the run-up; during take-off, distance from the plant box, angle and velocity of take-off, and relative positions of the foot and hands were measured. Men achieved greater clearance heights with faster run-ups, faster take-off velocities and higher hand grip positions (all p < 0.001), with each of the last three steps longer for men when expressed as absolute values (all p < 0.001), but not when expressed relative to stature. There were no differences in run-up pole angles, step times, take-off angle, take-off contact time or time from pole plant to take-off. Women differed in their approach and take-off for characteristics affected by stature and strength, such as fewer run-up steps, shorter take-off distances, and lower grip heights. These lower grips result from a shorter, lighter pole, and this disadvantage was greater than slower run-up velocities. Coaches should therefore note that sex-based differences occur in the pole vault that result from anthropometric differences, but which do not negate the adoption of similar technical models of vaulting. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T02:37:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d192765bc387489abb2d26a7c36e3a26 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2624-9367 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T02:37:59Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
| spelling | doaj.art-d192765bc387489abb2d26a7c36e3a262022-12-22T03:06:19ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672022-04-01410.3389/fspor.2022.835659835659Kinematics of the Final Approach and Take-Off Phases in World-Class Men and Women Pole VaultersBrian Hanley0Helen J. Gravestock1Mike Hopkinson2Giorgos P. Paradisis3Stéphane Merlino4Athanassios Bissas5Athanassios Bissas6Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United KingdomSchool of Health Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, United KingdomCarnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United KingdomSchool of Physical Education and Sport Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GreeceInternational Relations and Development Department, World Athletics, Monte Carlo, MonacoAthletics Biomechanics, Leeds, United KingdomSchool of Sport and Exercise, University of Gloucestershire, Gloucester, United KingdomThe pole vault is a highly technical event where the athletes must successfully convert horizontal velocity during the run-up to vertical velocity at take-off. The aim of this study was to compare the kinematics of men's and women's world-class pole vaulting. Video data were collected of the best clearances by 14 men and 11 women at the 2018 IAAF World Indoor Championships using three high-speed cameras (200 Hz). Running velocity, step lengths, step times, and pole angles were measured during the run-up; during take-off, distance from the plant box, angle and velocity of take-off, and relative positions of the foot and hands were measured. Men achieved greater clearance heights with faster run-ups, faster take-off velocities and higher hand grip positions (all p < 0.001), with each of the last three steps longer for men when expressed as absolute values (all p < 0.001), but not when expressed relative to stature. There were no differences in run-up pole angles, step times, take-off angle, take-off contact time or time from pole plant to take-off. Women differed in their approach and take-off for characteristics affected by stature and strength, such as fewer run-up steps, shorter take-off distances, and lower grip heights. These lower grips result from a shorter, lighter pole, and this disadvantage was greater than slower run-up velocities. Coaches should therefore note that sex-based differences occur in the pole vault that result from anthropometric differences, but which do not negate the adoption of similar technical models of vaulting.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2022.835659/fulltrack and fieldelite-standard athleteskinematicssex-based differencescoaching |
| spellingShingle | Brian Hanley Helen J. Gravestock Mike Hopkinson Giorgos P. Paradisis Stéphane Merlino Athanassios Bissas Athanassios Bissas Kinematics of the Final Approach and Take-Off Phases in World-Class Men and Women Pole Vaulters Frontiers in Sports and Active Living track and field elite-standard athletes kinematics sex-based differences coaching |
| title | Kinematics of the Final Approach and Take-Off Phases in World-Class Men and Women Pole Vaulters |
| title_full | Kinematics of the Final Approach and Take-Off Phases in World-Class Men and Women Pole Vaulters |
| title_fullStr | Kinematics of the Final Approach and Take-Off Phases in World-Class Men and Women Pole Vaulters |
| title_full_unstemmed | Kinematics of the Final Approach and Take-Off Phases in World-Class Men and Women Pole Vaulters |
| title_short | Kinematics of the Final Approach and Take-Off Phases in World-Class Men and Women Pole Vaulters |
| title_sort | kinematics of the final approach and take off phases in world class men and women pole vaulters |
| topic | track and field elite-standard athletes kinematics sex-based differences coaching |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2022.835659/full |
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