Introduction to Sports Biomechanics: Analysing Human Movement ...

Jumping
MOVEMENT PATTERNS – THE ESSENCE OF SPORTS BIOMECHANICS
Figures 1.13 to 1.19), are not necessarily the best movement pattern representation for
these purposes.
Jumps, as well as throws, are often described as ‘ballistic’ movements – movements
initiated by muscle activity in one muscle group, continued in a ‘coasting’ period with
no muscle activation, and terminated by deceleration by the opposite muscle group or
by passive tissue structures, such as ligaments. Many ballistic sports movements can be
subdivided biomechanically into three phases: preparation, action and recovery. Each
of these phases has specific biomechanical functions. In countermovement jumps from
a standing position, such as those in Figures 1.20 to 1.25, the preparation is a lowering
phase, which puts the body into an advantageous position for the action (raising) phase
and stores elastic energy in the eccentrically contracting (lengthening) muscles. The
action phase has a synchronised rather than sequential structure, with all leg joints
extending or plantar flexing together. The recovery phase involves both the time in the
air and a controlled landing, the latter through eccentric contraction of the leg muscles.
Figure 1.20 Standing countermovement vertical jump with hands on hips. Top left: starting position; top right: lowest point;
bottom left: take-off; bottom right: peak of jump.
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