Why do skilled high jumpers lower their COM on the last step?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Skilled high jumpers lower their center of mass (COM) on the last step to increase the time of support between the foot and the ground, which allows for a greater impulse to be applied. This increased impulse, in turn, increases the vertical velocity at take-off, enhancing their ability to clear higher bars. Therefore, all of the provided reasons contribute to the technique's effectiveness.

Why Do Skilled High Jumpers Lower Their COM on the Last