Simplified Biomechanics for a Possible Explanation of the Ancient Greek Long Jump Using Halteres

Abstract

In this paper closed form analytical expressions were derived in order to simulate the possible action of " halteres " used in the ancient Greek long jump. For the sake of simplicity, elementary theory of rigid body dynamics is used, which however is capable of simulating the motion of a hypothetical rigid jumper for whom the Cartesian components of the initial velocity at the take-off and the angular velocity of rotating arms are prescribed. Particular attention is paid on the initial position and the direction of arms' rotation as well as on the role of the amount of masses due to the " halteres " . It was found that if at the take-off the upper limbs are upwards, also rotate forwards, whereas at the landing they are almost downwards, the length of the jump increases as the weight of the halters.