- #1
vinny11
- 1
- 0
When kicking off the ground, what is the maximum amount of force that human's can exert?
Any references?
Any references?
Max Force Humans Can Exert When Kicking Off Ground
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SUMMARY
The maximum force a human can exert when kicking off the ground is estimated to be around 2000N, based on calculations involving high jump techniques and impulse delivery. The discussion references the world high jump record of 2.45m, with a notable example of a high jumper's center of mass rising to approximately 2.40m. The calculations suggest that if a high jumper accelerates over a distance of 0.5m, the force exerted could be significantly higher, potentially reaching 4500N, especially when considering other strength feats like deadlifting. The nuances of defining "kicking" versus "pushing" are also explored, emphasizing the importance of context in these movements.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of impulse and force calculations in physics
- Familiarity with biomechanics of jumping and kicking movements
- Knowledge of high jump techniques and records
- Basic principles of momentum transfer in sports
- Research the biomechanics of high jumping and the role of center of mass
- Explore the physics of impulse and force in athletic movements
- Study the differences between pushing and kicking techniques in sports
- Analyze video footage of high jumpers to measure takeoff duration and force application
Athletes, coaches, sports scientists, and biomechanics researchers interested in understanding the physics of jumping and kicking movements in sports.
- #2
meichenl
- 25
- 0
rough estimate: 2000N
the world high jump record is 2.45m. A good high jumper can actually have his center of mass pass under the bar by arching around it, so say his center of mass rose to 2.40m. The dude who did it is 1.94m tall. The center of mass of a man is about .56 his height (hypertextbook.com/facts/2006/centerofmass.shtml), so that's 1.09m. So he jumped 1.31m. I don't know what he weighed, but 80kg is a reasonable guess. The impulse would have to have been 406 kg*m/s.
To figure out over how long a time that impulse was delivered, imagine he bent his knees to 90 degrees, then straightened them, lifting himself .5m before taking off. If his acceleration was constant in that time, it would have taken him .20 seconds, yielding a force of 2000N.
the world high jump record is 2.45m. A good high jumper can actually have his center of mass pass under the bar by arching around it, so say his center of mass rose to 2.40m. The dude who did it is 1.94m tall. The center of mass of a man is about .56 his height (hypertextbook.com/facts/2006/centerofmass.shtml), so that's 1.09m. So he jumped 1.31m. I don't know what he weighed, but 80kg is a reasonable guess. The impulse would have to have been 406 kg*m/s.
To figure out over how long a time that impulse was delivered, imagine he bent his knees to 90 degrees, then straightened them, lifting himself .5m before taking off. If his acceleration was constant in that time, it would have taken him .20 seconds, yielding a force of 2000N.
- #3
meichenl
- 25
- 0
on second thought, it should be more. people can deadlift 455kg, so that's 4500N right there.
- #4
ddelaiarro
- 41
- 3
What exactly do you mean by kicking?
meichenl gives two examples - a high jumper and a deadlifter. Personally, I'd classify both movements as pushing, not kicking...
meichenl gives two examples - a high jumper and a deadlifter. Personally, I'd classify both movements as pushing, not kicking...
- #5
jbunten
- 86
- 0
ddelaiarro said:
isn't a kick just a type of push?
- #6
ddelaiarro
- 41
- 3
well, I suppose it could be. But, when I 'hear' kick, I thinking of kicking a soccer ball or a football. I think we'd all agree that that movement is different than a pushing type movement...
- #7
jbunten
- 86
- 0
Hmm, In a way I see what you mean. When one kicks a ball properly (football=soccer ball to me I'm afraid) one stops applying force on contact with the ball and let's the transfer of momentum from the foot to the ball move the ball forward. However it really is a very related question.
vinny11 why do you assume he bent his knees to 90 degrees? High jumpers always start with a run so this assumption might be the problem with your calculation i.e I think the actual impulse lasts way less than 0.2 seconds.
check out this guy for instance:
even in slow mo his foot is in contact with the ground for far less than 0.2s.
vinny11 why do you assume he bent his knees to 90 degrees? High jumpers always start with a run so this assumption might be the problem with your calculation i.e I think the actual impulse lasts way less than 0.2 seconds.
check out this guy for instance:
even in slow mo his foot is in contact with the ground for far less than 0.2s.
Last edited by a moderator:
- #8
meichenl
- 25
- 0
jbunten,
maybe it's less than .2 sec, although just by watching the video i can't tell. is there an easy way to count the number of frames it takes him to take off, and divide by the frame rate?
maybe it's less than .2 sec, although just by watching the video i can't tell. is there an easy way to count the number of frames it takes him to take off, and divide by the frame rate?
- #9
DaveC426913
Gold Member
2025 Award
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In fact, it's the same question. Over a duration approaching zero (i.e. before gravity is a significant factor), kicking a soccer ball is the same as kicking off a much much MUCH larger ball.jbunten said:
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