Factors determining the preference of takeoff leg in jumping.

The takeoff (= push-off) leg in jumping, handedness, and leg length inequality as measured radiographically were recorded for 892 young healthy subjects, 62 of whom were top-level athletic jumpers, 654 competetive athletes representing other sports, and 176 Finnish Army conscripts. Correlation between the laterality of takeoff leg and handedness was poor, but a significant majority (81.4% of jumpers, 65.1% of other athletes, and 76.8% of conscripts) invariably used the longer leg for takeoff. Incidence of leg length inequality was highest in the group of athletic jumpers, the difference between top-level jumpers and runners being statistically significant.