Biomechanical analysis of the late approach and the take off in the indoor women’s long jump

Aim of the study was to provide evidence concerning the biomechanical parameters of contemporary Women’s long jump in indoor competition. The final six steps and the take-off of 11 jumps (6.88 ± 0.23 m) were recorded (panning camera; sampling frequency: 300 fps) in an indoor competition. The examined parameters were a) the step parameters, the percentage distribution of adjustment (ADJ%) and the inter-limb symmetry angle (θSYM) in the late approach, b) the joint angles and the take-off parameters. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that approach velocity (9.8 ± 0.3 m/s) was significantly correlated (r = .86, p = .001) with effective distance (6.96 ± 0.23 m). The largest ADJ% (57.6 %) was executed at the penultimate step which was 12.2 ± 2.8 % larger than the last step. An inter-limb difference was revealed for step frequency (t10 = 6.965, p < .001) due to the large asymmetry observed (θSYM = 5.54 deg). The knee angle of the push-off leg at take-off was 171.2 ± 4.7deg. Resultant velocity (8.3 ± 0.4 m/s), height (1.15 ± 0.05 m) and angle (20.7 ± 2.3 deg) of take-off significantly predicted effective distance (F3,7 = 12.671, p = .003, R2 = .844). The present findings are in reasonable agreement with previous research. Future studies should examine the possible reliance and asymmetry for the step parameters in the final approach