How could ancient Greek athletes jump 16 meters and why modern athletes not? A multidisciplinary approach to unravel the technique of the ancient Greek halma

Abstract

The halma, which the ancient Greek pentathletes performed, included a standardized 10,5-meter run-up, which means that they still had to jump at least 5,5 meters with halteres in their hands in order to reach a record length of more than 16 meters. So the question is whether our modern record holders of the long jump are able to jump such a distance with halteres in their hands? They are probably capable to do so, but -as the English saying states that “The proof of the pudding is in the eating”- the proof of the jumping with halteres is in the testing! Which faculty or department of physical education or kinesiology will prove that such a jump is feasible?