THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE AND DISTINCT BENIFITS TO THE BEHP POLE DESIGN:
1). AN INCREASED POLE ANGLE AT THE PLANT.
When placed side by side, while griping the BEHP pole 6 inches from the top, the vaulter's grip is 1.5 inches below the axis of a conventional pole. This raises the angle of the pole by up to 2 degrees at the plant.
Because the vaulter has a higher pole carry during his run, the "pole drop" is accelerated because it covers a greater distance in the same span of time until it reaches the box. This faster "pole drop" means the hands move fraster; and the vaulter's feet follow his hands speed - they move faster also.
At the moment the pole plants, the angular deviation or "angle of attack" of the BEHP design better transfers energy into the pole by, among other things, reducing "column strength". The vaulter's right hand grip is at the same height as if he were using a traditionally straight pole but his left hand, which is now controlling the vault, is lifted to a higher position than when using a tradionally straight pole (This is noteworthy because the pole is effectively bending higher). This allows the vaulter to better position his shoulders into a "hollow" positon. By doing so, he is can become "elastic" for better rotation at the shoulders as well as enhanced "loading" of the pole. The collective effect of the BENTLEYELITE modification is that the vaulter transfers his potential energy more efficently into the pole and the pole has 18 to 25% better penetration. By doing so, he is able to get on a stiffer pole and jump higher.
2). MORE EFFICIENT ERGONOMICS.
While transitioning throughout the "vaulting" phase of the jump, the vaulter can utilize a more ergonomically correct grip. The weakest grip of a person's hand is when the wrist is fully extended, When a vaulter uses a traditionally straight pole, his wrist is fully extended. The strongest grip of a person's hand is when he holds something perpendicular to his forearm, or 90 degrees from fully extended. The BEHP pole is offset by approximately 15 degrees. This will enable a vaulter better align the pole to his body as well as to have a more ergonomically efficent grip as he pulls himself into an inverted position and pushes off the top of the pole.
For more information about this new design and to see jumps at 2001 PV Summit, go to <bentleyelite.com>
BentleyEliteHP Debuts in Competition @ 2011 PV Summit
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