Evolution of Vertical Jump

      The evolution of the vertical jump in respect to how the human body works to reach maximum height is no more unique than that of our ancestors.  Both chimpanzees and humans maximize their vertical jump by bending at the hips.  Just like most mammals our glucose storage helps us energize our jumps by using the source.  


However our great ancestors have been proven much stronger than us professionals with more endurance and strength together.  Because there endurance is much higher, they are able to pounce and jump repetitively and at a higher maximum height.  Of course, there is a huge difference in muscle mass and positioning between humans and apes and it has much to do with the vertical jump.  The smaller stature of the monkey gives reason to the power they deliver when jumping up.  Unlike humans, chimps have shorter legs with a different type of muscle tissue in different areas that make there squat before the lift off much more powerful to develop an increased height.  Even the best of athletes can not out jump chimps because of this certain power.  Chimpanzees can weigh twice as a fully-grown human male and can also be five times as strong.  Despite this extreme force, their force compared to size is greater and causes their muscle to work at a better rate.  Its hard to determine there maximal performance jumping, but it is known that they out work humans even those who are trained in track and field or other disciplines.
 
The leg muscles have changed dramatically over the years from ape to man.  The ape's muscles prove smaller and seemingly have less muscle strength.  However because there gluteus muscles stretch down towards the hamstring due to the more curved spinal cord, they are capable of jumping at enormous heights.  The human legs are created for long distance running allowing the Achilles tendon and calf to stretch more across the leg.  To bend at the hips and the knee, chimps have a smaller patella bone that allows for less muscle tendons and ligaments for connection.  This causes chimps to bend at a quicker safer pace than that of humans.  The development and evolution of the human's upright position makes way for the run.  Because the apes are bent over and can run with all fours, they are much slower up right but make up for it in the jump.  Similarly, chimps cannot make the same bend in their knee to run as humans do.  Instead the bend is shorter.  There maximum strength from jumping is created in the quads and glut muscles, which humans are not lacking but require more practice to reach ultimate height.  


In conclusion, we as humans will never out jump our ancestors but with more practice and muscle training in plyometrics, we can teach our body to vertically jump at great heights. 
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