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Calcimator

High Jump Approach Calculator

J-approach curve radius from athlete speed and height.

Inputs

ft
ft
lb
ft

Results

Required Approach Speed

6.94 m/s

J-Curve Radius16.18 m
Lean Angle in Curve16.9°
Takeoff Speed6.11 m/s
Vertical Velocity4.45 m/s
Horizontal Velocity4.18 m/s
Takeoff Angle46.8°
Total Approach Distance29.54 m
Curve Distance16.94 m
Flight Time0.91 s
COM Rise Required1.01 m
Takeoff Kinetic Energy1,398 J
Potential Energy743.11
Peak COM2.1
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter Target bar height, Athlete height, and Athlete mass.
  2. Set Approach steps and Average stride length.
  3. Review the Required Approach Speed (m/s) result.
  4. Use J-Curve Radius (m) and Lean Angle in Curve (°) to inform your decision.

How the result changes with Target bar height

Target bar heightRequired Approach Speed
1.163.29 m/s
1.565.42 m/s
2.047.54 m/s
2.449.28 m/s

What each input means

Target bar height
Bar height you want to clear.
Athlete height
Athlete's standing height.
Athlete mass
Body mass in kilograms.
Approach steps
Total number of steps in approach run (typically 8-12).
Average stride length
Average stride length during approach.

What each result means

Required Approach Speed
Approach speed needed to clear the bar.
J-Curve Radius
Radius of the curved portion of the approach.
Lean Angle in Curve
Inward lean angle during curved approach.
Takeoff Speed
Speed at the moment of takeoff.
Vertical Velocity
Vertical component of takeoff velocity.
Horizontal Velocity
Horizontal component of takeoff velocity.
Takeoff Angle
Angle of takeoff from horizontal.
Total Approach Distance
Full approach run length including straight and curve.
Curve Distance
Length of the curved J-portion of the approach.
Flight Time
Time the athlete is airborne.
COM Rise Required
How much the centre of mass must rise above standing height.
Takeoff Kinetic Energy
Total kinetic energy at takeoff.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Target bar height = 1.9, Athlete height = 1.8, Athlete mass = 75, Approach steps = 10 = 5 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Required Approach Speed
    Required Approach Speed = totalTakeoffSpeed / conversionEfficiency
    6.94 = 6.94
  3. Calculate J-Curve Radius
    16.18 = 16.18
  4. Calculate Lean Angle in Curve
    Lean Angle in Curve = max(12, min(30, leanAngleDeg))
    16.9 = 16.9

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