Round Table NO. 40 © by IAAF 19:3; 69-73, 2004 The state of the women’s pole vault with Vitaly Petrov, Herbert Czingon, Sergey Bubka, Greg Hull, Agoston Schulek Vitaly Petrov is the National Pole Vault Coach for Italy, where he coaches World Champion Giuseppe Gibilisco. He was also the coach of Olympic and World Champion Sergey Bubka (UKR). Herbert Czingon is the National Pole Vault Coach for Germany. Sergey Bubka is a member of the IAAF Council and the International Olympic Committee. He was the1988 Olympic Champion, ten times World Champion (indoors and outdoors) in the pole vault and is the world record holder for the event. Greg Hull is the coach of Olympic and World Champion Stacey Dragila (USA). Agoston Schulek is Vice President of the European Athletic Association and was coach to a number of top Hungarian pole vaulters. NSA What is your opinion of the cur- It will also be necessary to increase the rent technical level and the per- average level of performance in order to stim- formances achieved by women in ulate competition. the pole vault? Czingon Petrov The technical level is still at least ten years The current technical level reached by from what will be possible in the future. One world class female vaulters with respect to male athlete I have been working with, using their qualities and talent is outstanding. a shortened run-up of ten steps reaching a Their margin for improvement has not been measured speed of 8.0 metres per second reached yet and further progress will be (typical for women’s results of around 4.50m determined by: with grips of ca. 4.20m) has easily achieved 5.20m with a grip of 4.55m! There is no obvi- • A more rational approach in the develop- ous reason why a woman should not be able ment of the athlete in order to provide the to achieve this level. We should expect the best possible path for learning and techni- same ratio between the men’s and women’s cal development. This should start at world record as in the other jumping events: about 9/10 years of age and reach a com- now at about 78% it will go up to around plete and harmonious physical develop- 85%, meaning results of at least 5.10m, ment over 8/10 years. maybe even more than 5.20m. • Selection of athletes with the appropriate anthropometric attributes and basic The most important factors limiting motion abilities to respond effectively to increase in women’s technical levels are the event’s intrinsic needs. improper introduction (the first six to eight New Studies in Athletics • no. 3/2004 69 The state of the women’s pole vault months – many faults learned in this phase Czingon are very hard to get rid of) and insufficient strength, especially in the upper body. I don’t think so. In reality there are still dif- ferences between the men’s and the women’s Bubka technique, but this is because the event is so young and even the world’s best female The technical level amongst female vaulters is vaulters are far from perfect. The next gener- very good at the moment. Isinbayeva for exam- ation of women pole vaulters will get a lot ple has an excellent technique. The development closer to fulfilling the principles of the in the technique will be quick. Women tend to mechanics of the pole vault at the highest be very precise with their movement and tech- possible level. The current generation of male nique. They have to be technically proficient to vaulters still has to work hard to get close to achieve height, more so than men who can what Sergey Bubka achieved a long time ago! make up for errors with speed and strength. However, due to physiological (especially hor- monal) differences between men and women Hull there will be bigger differences between men’s and women’s training concepts in the future. I believe the technical level in the women's vault is just beginning to come around. One of the easiest items to quantify in the vault is the Bubka height cleared above the height held on the pole. The top ten women are beginning to They should be the same. There shouldn’t be approach the 50cm to 75cm level of perform- any real difference. Women have shorter ance in this area on a consistent basis while a poles, the grip is different, but the concept is great number of men are in the 75cm to 100cm still the same. range. It must be noted that it is easier for this number to be higher when you are holding Hull higher on the pole but I still believe it is a weak area for the vast majority of female vaulters. I believe the basics are similar, but lower strength levels and the slower take-off speeds Schulek developed by female vaulters make some actions quite difficult. The very best women pole vaulters have achieved a pretty good technical level so far, Schulek especially Isinbayeva and Feofanova. The technical level of women vaulters has devel- oped far faster than we expected after the I don’t think we should expect any mayor introduction of the event. differences between the technical model of male and female vaulters. I believe the only difference comes from the different muscle NSA Is there (or can we expect) a differ- construction between the two sexes. Because ence between the technical model women are less muscular, they tend to have a of vaulting for men and women? better rhythm in the air. Petrov NSA What physical attributes do you look for in a female pole vaulter? There exists an ideal technical model for Are they different attributes to pole vaulting and it has to be the reference what you look for in men or the for both men and women. same? 70 New Studies in Athletics • no. 3/2004 The state of the women’s pole vault Petrov NSA Do women have any advantages in the pole vault (eg because of The characteristics necessary for the pole previous experience in gymnas- vault are similar for both men and women: tics)? • Speed Petrov • Coordination • Specific strength Previous experience in gymnastics has • Flexibility (to develop a correct posture proved to be an advantage as it is an impor- and flexibility of the joints) tant part of the preparation for the pole vault. The real advantage consists in the fact that It would be ideal to find all the above this experience has been applied to an exist- mentioned qualities in a tall athlete. ing and stable jumping methodology already developed in the men’s field. Czingon Czingon A female vaulter should be between 1.70m to 1.80m in height, weigh no more than 65kg, No. Every vaulter, men and women alike, (ideally below 60kg) and of course, she should should try to prepare perfect gymnastic abil- be fast with good gymnastic abilities. She ities. Women entering track and field after a should also have the scope to develop her gymnastics career (just as men doing the strength. same) often have to work very hard to achieve sufficient speed and takeoff abilities, Bubka sometimes causing injuries to the legs and feet. A good all-round, well prepared athlete. A gymnastic background is good. Bubka Hull Yes, if they have a gymnastics background. Women usually learn gymnastics at an early age as opposed to men. It is much more diffi- In any vaulter I'm looking for a few key cult to learn as you get older, so women with elements: a gymnastics background do have an advan- tage. The gymnastics training help with the • The ability to have a powerful and fast second part of the vault, the flight. Isinbaye- approach run va has a technically perfect flight. • A very high strength to body weight ratio • An innate sense of balance and rhythm Hull Schulek If so, it is only in the very early learning phases. It may actually be a detriment in the Generally there will be no major difference more advanced phases, especially concerning in the physical attributes between male and approach and take-off dynamics female vaulters. Because of the natural and normal muscular differences, women vaulters Schulek need to be better at gymnastics. These days we have more ex-gymnasts amongst the women than the men, so it New Studies in Athletics • no. 3/2004 71 The state of the women’s pole vault appears that they have an advantage, but in Hull the future this should disappear. We have to underline the great importance of gymnastics Yes, as are all female athletes. It is most not only before becoming a pole vaulter but likely due to the shape of the pelvic bone and also later, during the preparation. the structural shape of the shoulder area. Schulek NSA Are female pole vaulters more prone to injury than their male counterparts? No, I don’t think female vaulters are at a higher risk of injury than male vaulters. Now that the landing pits are bigger and safer, it Petrov prevents athletes from landing badly. Also the slight differences between the poles now Yes, indeed. This is because of the lack of being used protect the vaulters appropriate long term preparation for women pole vaulters. NSA What are the main areas for Czingon development in the women’s pole vault? (eg technique, speed on the runway, equipment (stiffer vault- I don’t think so. To me, women seem to ing poles)).