Complex biomechanical analysis of elite high jump and identification of muscle-tendon unit properties of the lower extremity

The purposes of the study were 1) to evaluate kinematics and kinetics in elite high jumpers and to estimate joint work of the lower extremity with a custom-modified full-body model, and 2) to identify a correlation between individual biological capacities and motion patterns in elite high jumpers.

1) Motions of seven male athletes (personal best 2.24 ± 0.06 m) during jumping were filmed with 19 Infrared-Highspeed-Cameras and ground reaction forces were captured with a force plate. 2) Analysis of muscle-tendon properties of the knee extensors and patella tendon and ankle plantar flexors and achilles tendon.

The results show that knee joint energy absorption is twice as much as at the ankle joint (p <0.05). There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in energy generation between the knee and ankle joint, but the ankle joint generates more energy than it absorbs (p <0.05). Regarding the run-up energy and the joint work at the knee and ankle, the problem-solving approach to raise the center of mass to 2.10 m was different between the jumpers. A typical speed jumper and a typical power jumper showed different material properties of the ankle plantar flexor and knee extensor muscle-tendon units.