Coordination in vertical jumping

Bobbert, Maarten F.<sup>1</sup>; van Ingen Schenau, Gerrit Jan<sup>1</sup>

Affiliations

¹Department of Functional Anatomy, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, Free University of Amsterdam, PO Box 7161, 100 MC, The Netherlands

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate for vertical jumping the relationships between muscle actions, movement pattern and jumping achievement. Ten skilled jumpers performed jumps with preparatory countermovement. Ground reaction forces and cinematographic data were recorded. In addition, myoelectric activity (EMG) was recorded from seven leg muscles. EMG-signals were rectified and low-pass filtered to obtain EMG-levels. The latter, which were assumed to reflect activation levels, rose to a plateau in the sequence m. semitendinosus, long head of m. biceps femoris, m. gluteus maximus, m. vastus medialis, m. rectus femoris, m. soleus, m. gastrocnemius. It was attempted to link the EMG-pattern to the purpose of the push-off, namely to maximize the effective energy (E_y) of the mass center of the body (MCB). The term E_y designates the sum of the potential energy of MCB and the kinetic energy due to the vertical velocity of MCB. One of the requirements for maximization of E_y is that the mono-articular extensor muscles release as much energy as possible before toe-off occurs. It is argued that this requirement can only be satisfied if the vertical velocity differences between the proximal and distal ends of body segments reach their peaks in a sequence. The sequence that is realized by the pattern of muscular activation is upper body, upper legs, lower legs, feet. Another important requirement is that the mechanical energy released by the muscles is optimally used. This requirement can be satisfied by transportation of energy via the biarticular m. rectus femoris and m. gastrocnemius.

Links

DOI: 10.1016/0021-9290(88)90175-3

PubMed: 3379084

WoS: A1988N189700009

History

Received: 1986-02-10

Revised: 1987-06-19

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Cited By (22)

Year	Entry
1990	Gielen S, Schenau G-JvI, Tax T, Theeuwen M. The activation of mono- and bi-articular muscles in multi-joint movements. In: Winters JM, Woo SL-Y, eds. Multiple Muscle Systems: Biomechanics and Movement Organization. New York, NY: Springer-Verlag; 1990:302-311.
1990	Hof AL. Effects of muscle elasticity in walking and running. In: Winters JM, Woo SL-Y, eds. Multiple Muscle Systems: Biomechanics and Movement Organization. New York, NY: Springer-Verlag; 1990:591-607.
1990	van Ingen Schenau GJ; Maarten F. Bobbert, van Soest AJ. The unique action of bi-articular muscles in leg extensions. In: Winters JM, Woo SL-Y, eds. Multiple Muscle Systems: Biomechanics and Movement Organization. New York, NY: Springer-Verlag; 1990:639-652.
1990	Pandy MG. An analytical framework for quantifying muscular action during human movement. In: Winters JM, Woo SL-Y, eds. Multiple Muscle Systems: Biomechanics and Movement Organization. New York, NY: Springer-Verlag; 1990:653-662.
1990	Pandy MG, Zajac FE, Sim E, Levine WS. An optimal control model for maximum-height human jumping. J Biomech. 1990;23(12):1185-1198.
1991	Pandy MG, Zajac FE. Optimal muscular coordination strategies for jumping. J Biomech. 1991;24(1):1-10.
1993	Zajac FE. Muscle coordination of movement: a perspective. J Biomech. 1993;26(suppl 1):109-124.
2008	Kirane YM, Michelson JD, Sharkey NA. Evidence of isometric function of the flexor hallucis longus muscle in normal gait. J Biomech. 2008;41(9):1919-1928.
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1997	Vint PF. Interlimb Coupling, Coordinative Structures and the Expression of Maximum Voluntary Muscular Force [PhD thesis]. Arizona State University; May 1997.
2005	Lichtwark G. The Role of Muscle Tendon Unit Elasticity in Real Life Activities [PhD thesis]. London, UK: University of London; 2005.
2021	Mackowiak RA. Lower Extremity Intersegmental Coordination Changes Across Countermovement Jump Heights [Master's thesis]. Queen's University; September 2021.
1992	Kuo AD. Visualization Techniques for Analyzing Control of Human Movement: Affine Mappings Between Multidimensional Spaces [PhD thesis]. Stanford University; December 1992.
2004	Ashby BM. Coordination of Upper and Lower Limbs in the Standing Long Jump: Kinematics, Dynamics, and Optimal Control [PhD thesis]. Stanford University; July 2004.
1996	Stefanyshyn DJ. Mechanical Energy Contributions of the Lower Extremity Joints to Athletic Performance [PhD thesis]. Calgary, AB: University of Calgary; March 1996.
2004	Kaya M. Coordination of Cat Hindlimb Muscles During Voluntary Movements [PhD thesis]. Calgary, AB: University of Calgary; February 2004.
1994	Aragón-Vargas LF. Kinesiological Limits of Vertical Jump Performance [PhD thesis]. University of Michigan; 1994.
1996	Zhang S. Selected Aspects of Biomechanical and Neuromuscular Responses to Landing Performance [PhD thesis]. Eugene, OR: University of Oregon; March 1996.
1994	Ziegler JM. A Dynamic Computational Model of the Human Knee Joint With Implementation in Two Optimal Control Models [PhD thesis]. University of Texas at Austin; August 1994.
2010	Patel R. Performance of a Two-Foot Vertical Jump: What is More Important Hip or Knee Dominance? [Master's thesis]. University of Waterloo; 2010.