A Biomechanical Analysis and Assessment of the Technique Elements of the Last Strides, the Touchdown and the Takeoff of Junior Male and Female Long Jumpers

Vassilios Panoutsakopoulos, Georgios Papaiakovou, & Iraklis A. Kollias

Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Aristotle University of

Thessaloniki, Hellas

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to present the kinematic characteristics of the last strides, the touch- down and the take-off of junior male and female long jumpers. A digital JVC GR-DVL 9600EG video camera (sampling frequency: 100fields/sec) was used to capture the last two strides of the approach, the touchdown and the take-off of the participants in the finals of the long jump competitions in the Greek National Junior Champi- onships. Kinematic characteristics were obtained utilizing a 2D-DLT analysis, while the technique elements were evaluated according to the Model Technique Analysis Sheet proposed by Tidow (1989). The comparison of the kinematic parameters between male and female jumpers was conducted using independent samples Student’s T-Test and a Principal Components Analysis with Varimax rotation (Panoutsakopoulos et al., 2007) factor analysis method. Results indicated that the male jumpers, when compared to the female jumpers, performed the long jump with statistical significant (p<.05) larger values in parameters that define the trajectory of the Body Center of Mass during the flight (angle of projection, takeoff velocity, takeoff height). The process of the kinematic data utilizing the factor analysis method revealed that the female athletes were inferior regarding the values of the parameters related to the vertical axis (i.e. vertical take-off velocity). Additionally, female jumpers performed the jump with statistical significant (p<.05) enhanced number of errors regarding the technique elements which were evaluated. In conclusion, the long jump performed by junior male and female athletes was quantitative and quali- tative inferior when compared to adult jumpers. Therefore, technique improvement must be in accordance with the development of the parameters of sporting conditioning.

Key words: 2D-DLT analysis, factor analysis, technique assessment, developmental age, youth athletes, gender differences.