Biomechanical Analysis of the Preparatory Motion for Takeoff in the Fosbury Flop

Abstract

The major purpose of this study was to investigate the preparatory motion during the last stride executed by Fosbury-flop jumpers, using 3-dimensional cinematography. Most of the trials for five male high jumpers were filmed at an official track meet by two high-speed cameras. The results suggested that to lower the center of gravity during the preparatory phase, Fosbury-flop jumpers using a curved approach ran resorted to (a) leaning the body toward the center of the curve, and (b) flexing the body. Two types of preparatory motion were classified, and their characteristics were identified concerning the loss of approach velocity and a large and effective takeoff motion.