Introduction to Sports Biomechanics: Analysing Human Movement ...

Figure 4.12 Projection parameters.
Projection angle
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF MOVEMENT
The projection angle (θ) is defined as the angle between the projectile’s line of travel
(its velocity vector) and the horizontal at the instant of release or take-off. The value of
the projection angle depends on the purpose of the activity. For example, activities
requiring maximum horizontal range, such as the shot put, long jump and ski jump,
tend to use smaller angles than those in which maximum height is an objective, for
example the high jump or the jump of a volleyball spiker. In the absence of aerodynamic
forces, all projectiles will follow a flight path with a parabolic shape that depends upon
the projection angle (Figure 4.13).
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