STUDY OF HIGH JUMP KINEMATICS USING MULTI-INSTRUMENT APPROACH

Through the years biomechanists have made use of a variety of high technology equipment for their research. The complexity of this high technology has evolved to such an extent that anything can be measured, modeled and simulated. The coach, however, has not had adequate benefits from such technology. There is a need to simplify the high technology to provide alternate high technology approaches which an intelligent coach can explore and use to analyze an athlete's technique. In describing a multiple-instrumentation approach to sport analysis, the example of high jumping will be used. The purpose of this high jumping research is to investigate from a comprehensive view the parameters which can be identified by a coach or biomechanist as being related to success and/or excess stress. The multiple-instrumentation approach was as follows: split-screen videography, 16 mm high speed dual-view cinematography (200 frames-sec), force-time histories from an "AMTI" force platform, videography with digital timer, and force-time histories from split-medial/lateral insole transducers. Based upon literature, and previous coaching and experimentation the following aspects of the high jump have been identified for analysis via the multiple-instrumentation system: 1. The foot plant with respect to foot placement and body lean. 2. The support-time during the take-off phase from heel-strike to toe-off. 3. The deformation of the foot during take-off in terms of medial-lateral stress, or pronation and supination of the foot. 4. Rotation and/or stabilization of the take-off foot during the arm and free leg swing