Which biomechanical principle is best illustrated during the arched position of the Fosbury Flop technique used during the high jump?

The arched position in the Fosbury Flop technique during the high jump illustrates the principle of projectile motion effectively. In this position, the athlete's body is shaped to create an optimal trajectory for clearing the bar while minimizing the height of the center of mass. The arched shape allows the jumper to maintain a horizontal velocity while maximizing vertical height.

As the jumper takes off, they enter into a phase where their body follows a parabolic path—characteristic of projectile motion. The combination of their angle of takeoff and speed creates a pathway that ensures they clear the jump efficiently. By utilizing this technique, high jumpers can effectively convert their vertical and horizontal momentum into a successful clearance over the bar, demonstrating the principles of projectile motion in action.

The other principles, while relevant in various contexts within biomechanics, are not the primary factors illustrated by the arched position during the Fosbury Flop. Force pertains to the push or pull affecting the body during the jump, torque relates to the rotational force caused by limbs in motion, and angular momentum involves the rotational aspects of the body in movement, which are not the primary focus in the arched position of this technique.