Why does or would a highjumper bicycle his/her legs in the air during a jump?

[amoda]

Hi

I'm just wondering about this...in gym we had to do some highjumping. I saw a couple of people who bicycle their legs when jumping. I'm wondering if this actually makes any diffrence and how/why it does.

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

[iglak]

no, not for high jump
bycicling the legs would only make you more likely to hit the bar

<edit> i suppose one bycicle kick would get you a little bit higher, although i have no idea why. maybe it just alighns you more correctly.

[YT2095]

doing it for High-Jump while bicycling legs, sounds like it training for doing Hurdles perhaps? where it becomes necesary to hit the ground running. typical High-Jump is best to keep as streamlined as possible. as for Long jumpers doing it, I think I`de agree with Iglak, it could be a way of maintaining an upright position whilst in the air and at the same time performing a sort of Sync/Count so that both feet land almost together, I think the distance is taken from the closest point in the sand to the start line (not to sure about that though). It`s certainly one of the most different questions I`ve seen on here for a good while :)

[blike]

Long jumpers do it to stop the forward rotation generated by their jump. Their legs move in a motion as to push their lower body forward, and their arms move in a way to move their upper body backwards.

[blike]

Check it here: http://www.exploratorium.edu/sports/faq7.html

[amoda]

Thanks every1!

[Cap'n Refsmmat]

When I see that happen, it's because they fell without knowing!
:-p :eek: