Re: What are the muscles that are involved in Standing Broad Jump?

What muscles are involved in the standing broad jump?

The standing broad jump starts with a person in a crouched position with 
the feet together. With a much speed and strength as possible, the person 
straightens the lower limbs to cause the jump forward. The act of 
straightening the lower limbs in the broad jump involves the 
plantarflexion of the ankle, the extension of the knee and the extension 
of the hip. 

The posterior leg muscles (calf muscles in the back of the leg) are 
responsible for plantarflexing the ankle. When a person prepares for a 
broad jump they are usually resting on the balls of their feet, which 
means that their ankle is already partially plantarflexed. This “pre-
flexed” position of the ankle means that calf muscle will not be able to 
add much to the strength of the jump. Instead, these muscles will add to 
the jump’s speed.

The preparation stance also has flexed knees and hips. Two muscle groups 
will act to straighten these joints with power (strength). The anterior 
thigh muscles (muscle in the front of the thigh) are collectively known as 
the quadriceps femoris. This group is made up of four muscles (vastus 
medialis, vastus intermedius, vastus lateralis and rectus femoris). Most 
of these muscles only act upon the knee joint – the rectus femoris would 
also try to flex the hip joint, which means that it will not be active in 
the broad jump. The three vastus muscles are very powerful, and so their 
action will add both strength and speed to the broad jump by extending 
(straightening) the knee.

Finally, the broad jump also needs to extend the hip. There are two groups 
of muscles to do this. Gluteus Maximus (the largest muscle in the buttock) 
is very powerful, but not very fast. It will give the broad jump power. 
The hamstring muscles (located in the back of the thigh) are not as 
strong, but will rapidly extend the hip. 

To do the broad jump, you first need to get the body moving. This requires 
the powerful muscles – gluteus maximus and the quadriceps femoris. Once 
the body is moving speed is added by the hamstrings, the calf, and the 
continued action of the quadriceps. Muscle activity will be almost 
simultaneous. There will also be differences between individuals, but I 
would expect most people to activate their muscles in the following 
sequence:

1. Gluteus Maximus, 2. Quadriceps Femoris, 3. Hamstrings, 4. Calf Muscles.