Evaluating the Approach in the Horizontal Jumps

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop measures of a long or triple jumper’s ability to use programming and visual control strategies during the approach to the takeoff. Five such measures were developed. The performances of the competitors in the men’s and women’s horizontal jumps at the 1987 Big Ten Conference Championships were filmed to obtain the required data. Percentiles were computed for each of the five measures and these were used, in conjunction with a performance profile, to evaluate the ability of an athlete to use the two strategies.