THE EFFECT OF NONREGULATORY STIMULI ON THE TRIPLE JUMP APPROACH RUN

The purpose of this experiment was to examine the approach run of the triple jump. Specifically, we examined the effect of nonregulatory sti muli (Gentile, 1972) on two different ability levels in performing the triple jump approach run. These nonregulatory constraints (situationa l factors such as those seen in actual competition) were employed in t hree jumping conditions: Control (to obtain baseline performance measu res), Distance (where participants attempted to obtain as great a jump as possible), and Accuracy (participants attempted to be as accurate as possible on takeoff without sacrificing distance). The results show ed that the footfall position variability for all conditions was simil ar to those previously reported for the long jump approach run. Howeve r in compliance with the nonregulatory constraints, participants alter ed other performance parameters in executing the approach run. The sit uational factors created changes that revealed themselves in foot plac ement on the takeoff board at the end of the approach run (foot positi on constant error and number of fouls increased for the Distance condi tion) and decreased horizontal velocity at takeoff in the Accuracy con dition. Changes in performance parameters were related to the content in which the skill was performed and may further reflect changes made by jumpers in the course, such as a visual-motor task in competition. We suggest that the characteristics of the approach run may not be ful ly revealed by the pattern of footfall variability only, as has been s uggested in previous work (e.g., Lee, Lishman, & Thomson, 1982), but t hat the situation under which the jump is performed may have a signifi cant effect on the performance parameters that emerge in executing thi s type of motor skill.