Dynamics of the pole vault.

Abstract The nonlinear differential equations of motion of the pole vault are derived using bond graph modeling methods. The model for the pole builds on large deflection theory of a slender rod but incorporates the possibility of a vaulter-applied torque at the top. A pinned rigid body model of the human vaulter is used with internally generated control torques applied at the hip, shoulder and wrist joints. Time simulations of vaults are presented. The complete system model is used to study the effects of different initial conditions and the effect of time variations in the control torques during the vault.