What are the physics of pole vaulting

[Nick tringali]

How to become a better pole vaulter, what are the physics of it?

 

[Simon Bridge]

This is a much discussed and studied sport, and a very big question, so you are best served by reading around the topic first. When you get stuck, then you can ask questions which will get more productive and to-the-point answers.

I'll start you off:
http://www.real-world-physics-problems.com/physics-of-pole-vaulting.html
http://www.wired.com/2012/08/olympics-physics-pole-vault/
... and the pole is usually springy.

The fastest way to get better at a sport is to hire a personal trainer specializing in that sport. ;)

 

[Nick tringali]

Thanks simon

 

[DiracPool]

How to become a better pole vaulter, what are the physics of it?

I agree with Simon. If you want to become a proficient pole vaulter, I would access as professional a trainer as you can afford. I'd think the last thing you'd want to focus on as you were soaring over the bar was the "physics" of the whole situation. That is more likely to confound your effort than enhance it. This is the problem with golfing I've been dealing with since I was a kid. Too much overthinking about the physics of each shot. I do my best when I relax and just focus on hitting the green or hitting the hole.

 

[meBigGuy]

I do my best when I relax and just focus on hitting the green or hitting the hole.

In any sport requiring athletic precision you must be "In The Zone" to do well. People call it muscle memory, the unconscious, etc etc, but you need to get your conscious analysis out of the way of your training. As soon as you "consciously think about it", you lose it (short circuit the training). Musicians face the same fate if they start "trying" rather than doing.

The importance of a trainer is to correctly "program" the brain, so you are running in the hardware (so to speak). A good trainer (like any good teacher) will always challenge you just enough that you are continuously getting better without getting frustrated.