Energy balance in the pole vault: effect of sex and level of performance

Abstract

Performance in pole vaulting is related to the athlete’s mechanical energy when crossing the bar, which corresponds to the sum of the energy during take-off (E_init) and the net energy gain during the pole support phase (E_gain). This study assessed the influence of sex and performance on the trade-off between the E_gain and E_init and aimed to identify the discriminating variables regardless of running speed. Eighty-four athletes were grouped by sex (female, male) and performance standards (inter-regional, national and international). Mechanical energy was computed from successful jumps video recorded in the sagittal plane. Correlations (r) between E_gain and E_init were assessed, and discriminant analysis identified how energy lost during take-off, pole plant timing, pole angle, take-off angle and maximal pole bending differentiated the groups. All correlations were negative (−0.87 < r < -0.41), and only the pole angle and pole plant timing differentiated the groups. The results suggested that each group faced an energy balance between E_gain and E_init, indicating multiple strategies to achieve similar performances. This study highlighted a hierarchy among the variables related to performance, with running speed (E_init) being prioritised, followed by a higher grip favouring E_gain.