THE EFFECT OF SELECTED SPORT SURFACES ON VERTICAL LANDING FORCES IN JUMPING

Introduction: The jump for height has received much attention as an important element in many sport activities, but less attention is given to the impact of landing, which may result in injuries due to the large forces involved (Miller, 1976). Therefore, activities that involve landings are potentially more harmful to the joint when there is inefficient absorptive material within the shoes and/or the sport surface. Cavanagh and Lafortune (1980) found that vertical forces, with magnitudes 2.5 times those found in running, were generated when landing from a vertical jump. Nigg, Denoth and Neukomm (1981) reported a force of magnitude 3.5 times the body weight when landing from a vertical jump. Knowing the magnitude of the vertical reaction forces to human beings, when jumping on different sport surfaces, could assist surface manufacturers and shoe designers in producing products that will reduce impact and therefore reduce injuries.