Kinematics of the Final Approach and Take-Off Phases in World-Class Men and Women Pole Vaulters

Hanley, Brian, Gravestock, Helen J, Hopkinson, Mike, Paradisis, Giorgos P, Merlino, Stéphane and Bissas, Athanassios ORCID: 0000-0002-7858-9623 (2022) Kinematics of the Final Approach and Take-Off Phases in World-Class Men and Women Pole Vaulters. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 4. Art 835659. doi:10.3389/fspor.2022.835659

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Abstract

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.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	track and field,; elite-standard athletes; kinematics; sex-based differences; coaching
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports > GV0712 Athletic contests. Sports events G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports > GV1060 Track and field athletics G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education and Science
Research Priority Areas:	Health, Life Sciences, Sport and Wellbeing
Depositing User:	Anne Pengelly
Date Deposited:	26 Apr 2022 12:19
Last Modified:	31 Aug 2023 09:06
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/10962

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