volteur wrote:So the only thing left really is whether there is a deliberate up-spring at take-off or whether the intention is to run through the takeoff with full extension instead?
I believe the following quote applies to pole vaulting also, with the possible and likely exception of the actual range of take off angles. I think it is worth noting that the range given does not start at 0 degrees (the angle I associate with a "run through the takeoff".) It seems so obvious that it shouldn't be necessary to say, but propelling oneself at an angle up at take off will contribute to one's performance, so long as you do not go at a higher angle than the optimum for you. In fact, for the graph shown in the paper for long jump, the losses given back by exceeding the optimum angle do not completely counteract the gains made until that angle is 45 degrees. It is also very important to note the optimum angle is individual.
Linthorne N.P., Guzman M.S. and Bridgett L.A. "Optimum take-off angle in the long jump wrote:The optimum take-off angle calculated above applies only to the athlete in question. Each athlete has a unique speed-angle relation that depends on their size, strength, and jumping technique. This means that each athlete has their own specific optimum take-off angle. The optimum take-off angle for a world-class long jumper may be anywhere from 15° to 27°.
- master