Study on the introduction and deployment of Fosbury Flop technique in Japan:

Focusing on the 10 years after the 1968 Mexico Olympics

Abstract

　The purpose of this study was to examine the process of Fosbury Flop introduction and dissemination in Japan based on articles in an athletics magazine. In the process of introducing Fosbury Flop, Fosbury's technique was already introduced in articles before the Mexico City Olympics. Subsequently, mechanical explanations were provided, and there were discussions not only on attempts to imitate the technique, but also on the development of a technique unique to Japan. As issues for the dissemination, the necessity of arranging a safe landing place was discussed from the early stage of the introduction, and there were concerns about medium- to long-term record stagnation due to the ease of acquiring the technique. To address these concerns, it was suggested that it was important to improve basic physical fitness and to continuously practice other techniques (e.g., Eastan cut off or Straddle-style jump). For the next decades since Fosbury surprised the world with Fosbury Flop, the Japanese track and field community has been analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of Fosbury Flop and looking for effective ways of coaching.