he aim of this research was to determine if there is any relation between run up velocity and athletes body characteristics in long jump. Subjects sample included 45 participants (19 national level jumpers and 26 faculty of sport students) of both genders (men = 25, women = 20). Body characteristics were measured using the Inbody720 and a 3D body scanner, while velocity at last 5 meters were measured using Optogate Witty. Stepwise regression extracted zero one (in the first and the fourth attempt) or one important predictor - difference in height between right and left shoulder (in attempts number 2, 3, 6, and for average velocity across all six attempts) or arms mass difference (attempt 5). Regression explained between 9.6 % (average velocity across all 6 attempts) to 13.5% of velocity (second attempt). Beta coefficients were negative in all cases, indicating that lower the shoulder height difference or arms mass was associated with higher velocity. Nevertheless, more than 85% of velocity variance depends on other factors, such as neuromuscular activity, perception, knowledge and experience. According to the results, coaches and athletes should place greater emphasis on symmetrical body loads.
KEY WORDS: Differences; Shoulder height; Arms mass; Low velocity.
KREFT, R. & CUK, I. The influence of body symmetry on the run up velocity in the final 5 meters of the long jump. Int. J. Morphol., 44(3):842-850, 2026.
