Is heavier better?

[Barto]

Okay, so Bubka is what, anywhere from 190 to 200 lbs. He was jumping on 5.20 10 points, which are rated at 220 lbs. So he is basically jumping at 20 to 30 lbs above his weight. Now take the 140 lb vaulter and put him on a stick that is 40 lbs above his weight. I can promise that he will not get more blow off the top of his pole than Sergey. Personally, with no scientific evidence at all, I feel as though big poles return with more energy. The ratio doesn't seem to stay constant. The weight of a pole doesn't necessarily give you an indication of its return.

Sorry, but Bubka was more like 80K. That's about 175# to you and me. And 184cm tall - right at 6'0". Not a big guy by any stretch.

Barto

[Skyin' Brian]

i realize that weight ratings are basically a function of flex number, and are relatively accurate, give or take a few pounds/kilos. just curious as to what significance this fact has to other previous posts? it seems most of the ideas presented so far still stand true..... are you disagreeing with certain posts or presenting discrepancies... just tryin to understand what you're trying to point out, if anything else besides the fact that weight ratings are somewhat arbitrary...

"Okay, so Bubka is what, anywhere from 190 to 200 lbs. He was jumping on 5.20 10 points, which are rated at 220 lbs. So he is basically jumping at 20 to 30 lbs above his weight. Now take the 140 lb vaulter and put him on a stick that is 40 lbs above his weight. I can promise that he will not get more blow off the top of his pole than Sergey. Personally, with no scientific evidence at all, I feel as though big poles return with more energy. The ratio doesn't seem to stay constant. The weight of a pole doesn't necessarily give you an indication of its return."
sorry, i think this is the one that i meant to quote. my point was to disagree with the fact that a bigger vaulter would get more pop out of a relatively smaller pole for them. the ratio may not stay constant according to the weight ratings because they are somewhat arbitrary. but a small vaulter and a large vaulter with the same speed, ability, etc. will get the same "blow" off of their pole.

[Skyin' Brian]

Okay, so Bubka is what, anywhere from 190 to 200 lbs. He was jumping on 5.20 10 points, which are rated at 220 lbs. So he is basically jumping at 20 to 30 lbs above his weight. Now take the 140 lb vaulter and put him on a stick that is 40 lbs above his weight. I can promise that he will not get more blow off the top of his pole than Sergey. Personally, with no scientific evidence at all, I feel as though big poles return with more energy. The ratio doesn't seem to stay constant. The weight of a pole doesn't necessarily give you an indication of its return.

Sorry, but Bubka was more like 80K. That's about 175# to you and me. And 184cm tall - right at 6'0". Not a big guy by any stretch.

Barto

and those numbers are probably a little generous

[zack]

I've seen a picture of him next to Hartwig. Makes him look downright short.

[SlickVT]

#include<iostream>

void main()
{
cout<<"Programming sucks the big one\n"
<<"Vaulting doesnt.";
}

[VaultNinja]

Skyin Brian Wrote: but a small vaulter and a large vaulter with the same speed, ability, etc. will get the same "blow" off of their pole.

I agree with this. I think that if someone would actually put the time in and solve this argument mathmatically, they will find that the ratio is constant. I don't have the time for that, but I bet someone does. And you guys need to stop using Bubka for any kind of comparison or example in these arguments because the man was not of this planet.

[Lord of the Poles]

#include<iostream>

void main()
{
cout<<"Programming sucks the big one\n"
<<"Vaulting doesnt.";
}

Programming in C++ or C basic?

I'm learning Java...

[PVJunkie]

Its not the sz........its how you use it. I have seen an awful lot of "bangers" (plant a HUGE stick but cant swing) get beat by technically sound vaulters on poles much less stiff relative to their wt. NOW put 2 equally technical vaulters side by side with identical speed one weighing 160 vaulting on a 180 and the other weighing 180 vaulting on a 200 and you get the same height. This whole argument is all relative..........I, at 5'8" could NEVER vault worth a darn if I weighed in at 190+ and vice versa a 6'2" guy weighing in a a buck 50 has got some trainin to do. Way too many variables here to make generalizations. Strength and speed WILL develop some mass (muscles tend to get bigger as they get stronger) BUT if you can gain speed and strength with a minimal amout of mass gain you are better off because it all comes back to how big the pole is relative to your weight. No 2 athletes will achieve the same effective wt to mass ratio.

Basically if you start to get slow cause your gettin big............re think your approach to the event. Speed is the key to jumping high. A 1% increase in speed will give you FAR greater rewards than a 1% increase in strength. This CAN be proven mathmatically.

[ashcraftpv]

#include<iostream>

void main()
{
cout<<"Programming sucks the big one\n"
<<"Vaulting doesnt.";
}

Programming in C++ or C basic?

I'm learning Java...

cout is a C++ function, like println in Java

[njvaulter]

Does anyone know how tall and skinny Yermenko was because he looks like a stick kinda like me. I am 6' 135

[dubjones]

Weight, from what I understand is not the key factor. Speed, as stated by Brian, is what is key. Some athletes will be faster with a little "cheeze"(some of the older euro guys) on them, some faster with extra muscle mass, while some find muscle mass to be detremental. Take Carl Lewis for example, if you have heard or read some of his interviews he was not into heavy lifting, he found that the increased weight, via muscle mass, made him slower. The real answer to this question is whatever makes you faster. Personally I find I run the best at about 162lbs, at 159 I actually slowed down a bit but looked a little cooler to the ladies, at 166 I was slower and not as ripped. Also at 159 I ended up getting hurt.
Same scenario happed with LB, put on a bit more muscle, got to about 170 and ended up injured.
Healthy weight, where you are at your fastest!

[Lord of the Poles]

#include<iostream>

void main()
{
cout<<"Programming sucks the big one\n"
<<"Vaulting doesnt.";
}

Programming in C++ or C basic?

I'm learning Java...

cout is a C++ function, like println in Java

Well, I knew it was C...I just didn't know if that was C basic or C++ and yea, I knew what it does...lol