Abstract:
Pole vaulting is a complex and physically demanding discipline in track and field,
requiring athletes to combine speed, strength, and technical fitness. The study aims
to compare the technical capabilities of a Sri Lankan pole vaulter and San
Kendrick, an international vaulter from the USA. The analysis and comparison of
technical features of pole vaulters in Sri Lanka were done by using the Kinovea
Software (version 0.9.3). The approach run, takeoff, pole plant, swing, and bar
clearance were evaluated through the analysis of various kinematic variables. By
comparing International and National pole vault performances, key differences
were identified. The International athlete (San Kendricks) surpassed the National
athlete (M.H.I. Sandaruwan) in critical aspects. It was evident that the lower trunk
lean angles (10.28° vs. 10.87°) during pole plant, and the take-off angle (16.84° vs.
18.3°) were increased with the improvement of pole lean angles. Maximizing pole
flexibility, the international athlete achieved 25.65% bend compared to the
National athlete (21.7%). Controlled timing of International and National athletes
was apparent with slightly extended pole straightening (0.59 s vs. 0.47 s) and later
upper release (1.42 s vs. 1.35 s) respectively. The findings of this study provided
valuable insights into the development and improvement of pole vaulting in Sri
Lanka. This study supports Sri Lankan coaches and athletes in maximizing
performance levels by comparing technical aspects with an international vaulter.
