Let’s Twist Again: Throwing, Jumping, and Spinning

Throwing things, and jumping up and down or along, lies at the root of many Olympic events. In the gymnasium, the velodrome, and the diving pool we also see the key role of rotation in dramatic displays of strength and speed. What light does simple maths shed on these movements and the stress they place on equipments and the human body? Why do high jumpers use the Fosbury flop and long jumpers cycle in the air? How high can rugby players jump in the line out? These are a few of the questions that maths can help us answer.

This is part of Professor Barrow's Maths in Sport series. The other lectures are:
      How fast can Usain Bolt run?
      David and Goliath: Strength and Power in Sport
      Citius, Altius, Fortius: Records, Medals and Drug Taking
      Final Score
      On the Waterfront