What are the poles used in pole vaulting made of, and why are they so flexible?
by 
wickedwillie
ANSWERS: 4
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From bamboo, through glass fibre and now carbon fibre.
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These new technology poles are highly engineered designs. They are specifically designed for a specific weight of the person using it and the exact height and kick point desired by the user. If you just consider the physics involved, it comes down to two simple factors. The pole acts as a spring. You place tension in it and let it react. The more force you store in it, the more you get out. That is why speed and weight are critical. The more energy or bend you can place in the pole the bigger spring effect you will achieve. Of course there are limits. And of course if you don't aim that recoil in the right direction, you can end up in the stands or worse.
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From my knowledge, fiber glass, plastic. once i broke one in half and it was all fiber glass-y
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they are fiberglass now, they used to be bamboo back in the day and less flexible.
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