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American Sports Nutrition

Posted by admin on August 7th, 2011

american sports nutrition
Who knows a lot about pole vaulting?

For my Sports Science class at school i have to write a comparative essay (more of a research report) about something that relates to the course like nutrition, sports injuries, proper stretching etc. one thesis could be for example how kenyan runners are better at running than north american runners because of their genetics. i don’t know very much about pole vaulting, but it seems interesting, so if i can find enough information about a certain aspect of it i’d like to write my essay on the sport. if anyone has a good idea of what i can compare that would be great! thanks

First of all, pole vault is probably the most gracious sport ever invented. Because you need to be a daredevil to even try it. Yet if you execute it correctly, it could well be one of the safest sport.

Pole vault is beautiful to watch. Pole vaulters uses a pole, runs at full speed, plants the pole in the box (the place where the poles are planted to the ground is called a box), which then propel them high up in the air, trying to clear a bar. Each vaulter have three attempts on each height. And of course, the one who cleared the highest is declared the winner.

With technologies and proper training these days, vaulters are able soar to almost 18 feet high. Imagine the courage one need to have to propel him/herself to that height without wearing any protective gears like helmets or pads! It’s like putting their lives on the line. After vaulters clear the bar (or not), they basically surrender their lives to the pole vault landing bed, and it is down to the bed to provide them a soft landing, which the bed never fails.

It is normal for people to talk about the vaulter, the bar, or even the pole. It is the most important equipment of the sport that people least talked about. Without the landing bed, the sport wouldn’t exist. Pole vaulters are in the state of free-fall after they reached the bar, and they usually land on their backs. The impact of the moment a vaulter who lands from 18 feet is almost 10 times the vaulters weight. For example, when a 50kg vaulter lands from 18 feet, the bed is enduring a near 500kg impact. Imagine what would happen to the vaulter without the bed! The pole vault bed, made of highly impact absorbent foam, is big (to ensure safety), and very soft (to provide lots of cushion to soften the blow).

The most famous current pole vaulter would be Yelena Isinbayeva, a Russian. While others only hope to win, she usually aims to break her own record. Her most memorable jump to date is probably her then record breaking winning jump at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. There were no other events happening simultaneously during her final jump, which means all eyes in the stadium are on her. When the stage is set, she looked focused, the pole in her hands, several meters ahead of her the bar is set at 5.05meters high, and below the bar the soft bed is waiting to cushion her.

She runs at full speed with determination, she planted the pole, she propelled herself high up in the air, she managed to clear the bar to become world champion, the crowed cheered, she was ecstatic, she extended her hands in disbelieve on her way down, her body sinks deep into the soft blue bed, right next to the Olympic logo on the bed that provided her with a safe, soft, and comfortable landing. When the cushioning of her is finished, she bounced back up to her feet, only to sink onto her knees again in joy. Surrounded by photographers, she took her time on the bed, then performing a crowd pleasing somersault before leaving the bed to celebrate with her coach.

Pole vault doesn’t get any better than that.