Biomechanical Suggestions for Better Performance in Low-skilled Pole Vaulters Compared to High-skilled Pole Vaulters

Biomechanical Suggestions for Better Performance in Low-skilled Pole Vaulters Compared to High-skilled Pole Vaulters

Purpose: this study aimed to provide biomechanical suggestions for better performance in low-skilled pole vaulters compared with high-skilled pole vaulters. Methods: The study participants included 20 female pole vaulters. A clearance height of 3.4 m was used as the cut-off to determine high- and low-skilled vaulters. A Sony NEX-FS700K camera (240 Hz) was used for data collection. Twenty instances when pole vaulters successfully cleared the highest bar height in the competition were analysed using the Dartfish7 Pro software. The performance-relevant kinematic variables were calculated. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the differences between the high-skilled and low-skilled groups. The effect size was used to measure a sample-based estimate of the quantity. Results: High-skilled pole vaulters showed a longer take-off-step length, higher pole horizontal level height, slower planting angular velocity, wider angle between the pole and the forearm, and a wider elbow angle compared to the low-skilled pole vaulters. Most variables showed medium to large effect size. Conclusion: Low-skilled pole vaulters were suggested to maintain a higher pole horizontal level height, plant the pole slowly while dropping the pole naturally, increase take-off-step length, and extend the bottom hand after take-off to improve their performances.