The relationship between knee joint angle, stretch-shorten cycle performance, and jump distance in ski jumping

File(s)
Date
2000-08Author
Paradis, Seth
Department
Exercise and Sport Science - Human Performance,
Advisor(s)
Foster, C.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This investigation examined the relationship between knee angle, stretch-shorten cycle
performance, and jump distance in ski jumping. 44 elite ski jumpers were video taped at
120 Hz. Hip, knee, and ankle displacements were digitized to examine the relationship
between the knee joint angle, stretch-shorten cycle performance, and jump distance in ski
jumping. Jump distance was recorded for comparison. Average distance jumped was
99.03 f 11.6 m. During the stretch-shorten cycle movement, the average amount of knee
flexion was -6.6 + 3.9 " and the average amount of knee extension was 8.8 f 4.8 ". A
significant (p = 0.014) quadratic relationship as found between the amount of knee
flexion and jump distance. The knee-joint extension velocity averaged 9.2 f 0.8
radians/s, but was not found to be significantly related to jump distance. The quadratic
relationship between jump distance and the amount of knee joint flexion demonstrated an
optimal knee flexion range for maximizing jump distance. This study suggests that when
elite jumpers utilize an optimal stretch-shorten movement, in combination with proper
form on the take-off table and in the air, they produce longer jump distances.
Subject
Knee
Biomechanics
Ski jumping
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/48881Type
Thesis