Diferencias cinemáticas entre saltadores de altura nacionales y saltadores de altura internacionales (Kinematic differences between Spanish and international high jumpers)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish reference values for various kinematic variables in high jump that allow us to determine an execution model of Spanish athletes and compare it with the technical model proposed in the bibliography. The best jump of the first 25 finalists in the 2009 Spanish indoor championship were analyzed (13 males: height = 1.89 ± 0.05 m, and jump performance = 2.10 ± 0.09 m; and 12 females: height = 1.69 ± 0.10 m, and jump performance = 1.73 ± 0.08 m). A total of 35 kinematic variables related to the run-up (last two steps of the approach run), takeoff, and bar clearance phases were analyzed. A photogrammetric 3D protocol (using three video cameras at 50 frames per second and a Direct Linear Transformation) was used to establish the athletes’ coordinates. The analysis and digitalization of the jumps were done using the Kwon 3D software. The results of the study show that the largest differences between Spanish high jumpers and the model found in the bibliography are found in the pre-jump phase (length, frequency, and speed of steps) and in the take-off phase with regard to the speed of the center of mass.