Question

1. Based on Flanagan (2019). You have an athlete who needs to improve his jump height. What determines how high he can jump?

Flanagan, S.P. (2019). Biomechanics: A Case-Based Approach (2nd Ed). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.

Answer 1

The main factor that determines the vertical jump is impulse created in vertical direction. Jump height is determined by the relative vertical impulse that can be produced by the lower body muscles during the upward phase of the jump, while the feet are still in contact with the ground. The impulse is calculated as the product of force and duration of time. For vertical impulse it is important to note that the force which athlete exerts on ground should be normal to the surface. This is why using a slightly deeper countermovement often increases jump height, because the larger range of motion allows the muscles to exert force for a longer duration of time before take-off.