Jumps

Jumps refer to actions in which an individual or object transitions from contact with a surface to flight, followed by landing. Jumps can be vertical or horizontal and occur in sports, physical fitness, daily movement, and various mechanical or biological contexts. In humans, jumping involves rapid muscle contraction to impart upward or forward velocity, briefly overcoming gravity and control during the flight phase prior to landing.

In athletics, the main events are the long jump, high jump, and triple jump. The long jump measures horizontal distance from takeoff to landing; the high jump measures vertical height cleared using a technique that preserves body position; the triple jump involves a hop, a step, and a final jump for total distance. Other tests include the standing vertical jump for estimating leg power.

From a physics perspective, jumping converts chemical energy into kinetic energy at takeoff, which is then transformed into potential energy while airborne. The takeoff speed and the angle of departure largely determine trajectory and horizontal reach. Ground reaction forces, technique, and body posture influence both performance and safety, while air resistance and landing mechanics affect stability upon touchdown.

Beyond sport, jumps appear in video games as a movement mechanic, in robotics as a form of legged locomotion, and in biology where insects, frogs, and other animals perform impulsive leaps. Training for jumping emphasizes strength, plyometrics, proper technique, and safe landing to reduce injury risk and improve efficiency.