BBC Inside Science What’s the highest a human could possibly pole vault?
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Oct 16, 2025 Join Steve Haake, a sports engineering professor, as he delves into the physics behind pole vaulting, explaining how Armand Duplantis achieves record heights with technique and equipment. Neuroscientist James Ainge reveals groundbreaking work on brain cells that track distance, sharing insights from experiments with rats and humans. Mathematician Katie Steckles introduces exciting new mathematical discoveries and their implications, including recent findings in knot theory and the geometry of shapes. It's a fascinating blend of sports, neuroscience, and mathematics!
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Use Stiffer Shoes For Record Attempts
- Use very stiff, specialist shoes to transmit running force into the runway and pole effectively.
- Accept occasional extra risk from sharp spikes when using these shoes for maximal record attempts.
Landing Speed Predictable From Height
- A vaulter's impact speed on the mat can be approximated solely from peak height via gravity.
- Katie Steckles estimates this landing speed at about 11 m/s (≈25 mph), highlighting the mat's importance.
Centre Of Mass Stays Below The Bar
- Athletes can clear bars higher than their centre of mass because they rotate and shift body relative to the centre of mass.
- The centre of mass of athlete-plus-pole never needs to pass above the bar for a successful vault.
