THREE-DIMENSIONAL DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF POLE VAULTING the dynamometer perm

contact time of the foot

Julien Morlier 1 and Mariano Cid 2 of acquisition of the dyn

1 Laboratoire de Mecanique Physique URA CNRS 867, Universite de Bordeaux I, The second force
France box wh ich was adapted
2 Faculte des Sciences du Sport et de l'Education Physique, Universite d e the first one is fixed on
Bordeaux 11, France the force plate in order
(Fx ' Fy and F z)· Th
INTRODUCTION dynamometer would ha
The pole vault is a very exciting track-and-field event which represents a great
interest for scientists. In order to optimise this athletic movement, many mechanical
research have been carried out. The computer simulations are much larger than
the experimental studies. But, the results of these experimental studies are
indispensable to improve numeric simulations. D. A. Barlow (1973) was the first to
measure the forces developed by the system pole-vaulter in the pole vault box
(calied the pole forces) in two directions of the space, using strain gauges put
directly on the pole vault box. Using the same two-dimensional approach, H. J.
Gros realised a dynamic analysis of the pole vault. The force plate used in this
study was placed under the box and provided, Iike the one used by D. A. Barlow, D
two components of the pole force.
Force
Thus, our laboratory has recently developed a dynamic experimental analysis plate 1
z

L,
of pole vaulting. The main contribution of our work is the three-dimensional (3-D)
approach of the pole vault. Moreover, two force plates were used : the first one
placed on the track allowed the direct measurement of the force and torque acting
by the system pole-vaulter on the runway during the last step before the take-off of
the pole vaulter, owing to the second one put under the pole box, we measured
the reaction force and torque acting on the end of the pole. With such an
experimental system, we can compute the total impulse of the athlete before his
taking-off which is an actual performance factor. Then the detailed analysis of the
pole force shows the main phases of a vault.
The signals cornir
This experimental dynamic study is of course completed by a 3-D has been recorded in c
cinematographic analysis of pole vaulting which permits the computation of the in order to eliminate
kinematic and kinetic parameters of the pole vault. frequency is 300 Hz fo
the track). This dynarr
METHODS applied by the pole an
The two force plates called "six component dynamometer" used in this permits to calculate thE
experimental research were created in our laboratory and provide the three
components of the force applied on the plate form and the three components of RESULTS AN[l
the resultant torque. In this study, we will not present the results obtained for the This paragraph w
torque but they are necessary to compute the torque applied at the end of the by this experimental
pole and to quantify the influence of the material used for the tip of the pole. national level athlete '11
the pole force (F) and (
The first dynamometer, integrated in the runway, is 80 cm long and 60 cm The detailed ana
wide and is 3,4 m from the end of the box. It provides the three components of the most characteristic 01
impulsion force: the force applied by the system pole-vaulter on the track (Ix ' Iy technique : the impac!
and Iz) during the last step of the athlete just before he takes off. That parameter is turnover and pole relee
really important to understand better the performance in pole vaulting. Besides,

378
POLE VAULTING the dynamometer permits to measure with great accuracy ( less than 1/1000 s) the
contact time of the foot to the ground during the last step. Indeed, the frequency
of acquisition of the dynamometers could reach 5000 Hz.

iversite de Bordeaux I, The second force plate (40 cm long and 40 cm wide) is put under the pole
box which was adapted for this experience. The box was cut into two parts (Fig. 1) :
ysique, Universite de the first one is fixed on the runway and the second one wh ich is free, is linked with
the force plate in order to measure actually the three components of the pole force
(F x ,Fy and F z ). The resonance frequency of the system pole vault box­
dynamometer would have been less important if the box has not been cut.
which represents a great
fment, many mechanical
~s are much larger than
:perimental studies are
w (1973) was the first to
:er in the pole vault box
lJsing strain gauges put
Insional approach, H. J.
force plate used in this
le used by D. A. Barlow, o
Force Force
plate 1 plate 2
lic experimental analysis
~

L, o E:::
three-dimensional (3-D) /
Tmck
vere used : the first one V/LJ
~ force and torque acting
tep before the take-off of
pole box, we measured
!he pole. With such an Force plate
ot the athlete before his
Bdetailed analysis of the Fig. 1 : Dynamic experimental system

The signals coming from both dynamometers through a conditioning system

completed by a 3- D has been recorded in a Personal Computer. Moreover, these signals were treated
Sthe computation of the in order to eliminate the resonance frequency of the acquisition system (this
frequency is 300 Hz for the force plate put under the box and 50 Hz for the one in
the track). This dynamic experimental system allows to measure the 3-D forces
applied by the pole and by the athlete on the ground and on the pole box. It also
,,"ornater" used in this permits to calculate the duration of these actions.
and provide the three
three components of RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
results obtained for the This paragraph will be about the results obtained for a single vault registered
ied at the end of the by this experimental system. The pole vaulter who performed that vault, is a
tip of the pole. national level athlete whose personal best is 5,40 m. Figure 2 shows the results of
the pole force (F) and of the impulsion force (I) during a vault.
80 cm long and 60 cm The detailed analysis of the z-component Fz of the pole force (wh ich is the
lree components of the most characteristic one for a vault) shows the main phases of the pole vault
r on the track (Ix ' Iy technique : the impact of the pole in the box, takeoff and rock back, pull-up and
off. That parameter is turnover and pole release (Fig. 3).
pole vaulting. Besides,

379
 (N) (N)
F I
1000 x 2500 x
(N)
800 2000
600 500
1500
400
200 1000 0
o 500
-200
-400
O-j---~--"'-__+_-------\r_~- -500
(s)
-600 +-r-~~~..J,-,~~~~~~ -500 +-r--~~~~~~~~~~(S)
o 0,5 1,5 2 0,4 0,44 0,48 0,52 0,56 0,6 0,64 -1000
('
POl
(N) (N) I -1500 pla
400 y
300
-2000
200
100
o +-.JII".......",~"~ -2500 ~~
-100 o
-200
-300 (s) Fig
-400 +-r-~~~~~~~~~~
o 0,5 1,5 2 0,45 0,5 0,55 0,6 Then, after the peal
energy of the pole in orde
(N) (N) when he releases the pol
500 Fz 1600 pole vault shows that th
I
1200 z z-direction is decreasing (.
0...--,.,•.
800 to get the best velocity w
-500 400 bar.
f-----l--"-"......"..---+-------,-­
-1000 o -j---,.---++------t"""=-=
-400 CONCLUSION
-1500
vaulter's weight -800 The development of
-2000 -1200 connection with coaches j
-2500 +-r-~~~..J,-,~~~~~~
(5)
-1600 f--r-,--,--,---,--;--.-.---.-.-~_r_r~~~~(S) be easily understood. MOl
o 0,5 1,5 2 0,45 0,5 0,55 0,6 powerful way to improve
Finally, that system coule
mechanical parameters m
Fig.2: The pole force Fand the impulsion force I recorded for a true vault pole vaulting will be c
developed by the vaulter c
First, the impact of the tip of the pole on the box (pole plant) shows a vertical
peak of Fz (t = 0,35s). The shock induces oscillations in Fz which are due to the REFERENCES
vibrations of the system plate force - box. Just after the athlete's taking-off, there is _ Barlow, D. (1973) Ki
a constant increase of the force Fz applied on the box in the (-z) direction (O,35s < t Thesis. University of India
< 1s) which is typical of the pole bending and rock back of the vaulter. At t = 0,8s, eid, "M., Vaslin, P.•
the end of the pole slides on the box, then oscillations of Fz appear. mesure des efforts devel
Methodologie et Etude d
Gros, H. (1982)
biomechanics cinematog
University of Alberta.

380
 I
Fz
x (N)
500 Slide of the pole Pole release
on the box

o 1-.. ftIII
(3)

-500
(5)
O~,48~O~,~~~~0,~56~0~,6~'~,~0,64 -1000 (5)

1
fo-.I

Pul! up
Pole
-1500 ~ plant
Iy (4)
vaufters weight
I Peak of Fz
-2000 J

-2500 I I I I I
I
I i i I I (s)
0 0,5 1 1,5 2
Fig. 3: Analysis of a pole vault with Fz
(5)

0,5 0,55 0,6 Then, after the peak of Fz (t = 1s), the vaulter starts the pull up using the
energy of the pole in order for him to get the greatest velocity in the best direction
when he releases the pole, to be catapulted over the bar. That last phase of the
pole vault shows that the velocity of the center of mass of the vaulter in the
I
z z-direction is decreasing (at t = 1,35s). That decrease must be as small as possible
to get the best velocity when the athlete releases the pole (t = 1,5s) to clear the
bar.

0,5 0,55
IOrded for a true vault
1Ie plant) shows a vertical
I Fz which are due to the
lhIete's taking-off, there is
tle (-z) direction (0,35s < t
of the vaulter. At t = 0,8s,
Fzappear.
CONCLUSION
The development of such an experimental system must be undertaken in
connection with coaches and pole vaulters in order to provide results which could
(5) be easily understood. Moreover, a 3-0 experimental analysis of pole vaulting is a
0,6
powerful way to improve performances and optimise each athletic movement.
Finally, that system could provide numeric simulation with the evolution of the
mechanical parameters measured or computed. That 3-0 experimental analysis of
pole vaulting will be completed with the direct measurement of the force
developed by the vaulter on the pole using strain gauges and telemetry.
REFERENCES
Barlow, O. (1973) Kinematic and kinetic factors involved in pole vaulting. PhO.
Thesis. University of Indiana.
Cid, .M., Vaslin, P. and Coetard, Y. (1991) Systeme dynamometrique de
mesure des efforts developpes au cours du saut cl la perche. Col/oque national
Methodologie et Etude du Mouvement en Sport, Ergonomie et Clinique.
Gros, H. (1982) Computerized analysis of the pole vault utilizing
biomechanics cinematography and direct force measurements. PhO. Thesis.
University of Alberta.

381