Bachelor of Science

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the contribution of lower limb power and strength, skill, technique and physique to the standing long jump (SLJ). It was hoped that with this information, the claims of the SLJ as a test of lower limb power could be validated. As such, a comparison was made between a group of elite jumpers (EJ, n = 4) and a group of non-elite jumpers (NJ, n = 5). Groups were formed based on the subjects' past two SLJ performances during the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (Mean ± SD; EJ, 2.76 ± 0.09 m; NJ, 2.29 ± 0.03 m). Kinematic, kinetic, isokinetic, temporal and anthropometric measurements were obtained through 2D-cinematographic techniques, force platform procedures, and isokinetic dynamometry. Significant differences between the EJ and NJ groups were found for the SLJ range (Rsu, p < .001), flight distance (FDx, p < .001), horizontal and resultant take-off velocity measured at the foot (p < ,001 and p < ,011 respectively), bodyweight-normalised peak and average isokinetic knee torque across four different angular speeds (all p < .01), and several temporal variables. Correlations were carried out to determine which variables were linearly related to the RSLJ and FDX. The analysis would reveal that lower limb power and strength were strongly related to SLJ performance. Skill was also found to be a significant factor. Technique, however, did not seem to greatly affect SLJ performance. Likewise, physique was not found to predispose an individual to particular levels of SLJ performance. These results indicate that good SLJ performance quires lower limb power, skill and some technique.