Kinematic Characteristics of the Standing Long Jump in Young Children Aged 4–5 Years

Abstract

The authors investigated the kinematic characteristics of the standing long jump in preschool children. Sixty 4-year-old children (boys: 30 and girls: 30) and sixty 5-year-old children (boys: 30 and girls: 30) participated in the present study. The authors focused on three differences in kinematics: between 4- and 5-year-old children, between boys and girls, and between high and low jumping performance groups at the same age. The kinematic data included the maximum flexions of the knee and hip before takeoff, at takeoff, and on landing; angular displacement of the upper body; takeoff speeds in horizontal and vertical directions; and takeoff angle of the greater trochanter. Anthropometric variables and kinematic data were separately analyzed with factors of age, sex, and group. The authors also performed multiple regression analysis to identify predictors of the jump distance. The movement speed of the greater trochanter in a horizontal direction, the maximum flexion angle of the hip before takeoff, and the hip angle on landing were identified as significant predictors of the jump distance among young children. These findings suggest that knowing how to use the hip and awareness of the horizontal direction are key factors to improve the long jump distance in young children.

Developmental Progression and Sex Differences in Agility During Continuous Two-Footed Jumping Among Children Aged 4–16 Years

“…In the various types of jumping motion, many studies have used standing long and vertical jumps as indicators of FMS. Standing long jump has been used as a physical fitness test among children to evaluate the ability to jump in a horizontal direction, including the strength of the lower limbs, and motor coordination (Nakata et al, 2013;Ogawa et al, 2021). The jump distance progressively increases from 3 to 6 years old and is generally greater in boys than girls from preschool age (Morris et al, 1982).…”