When a high jumper falls on a soft landing site(such as cushion or a heap of sand), then the jumper takes a longer time to come to stop. The rate of change of momentum of athlete is less due to which a smaller stopping force acts on the athlete. And the athlete does not get hurt. Thus, the cushion or sand, being soft, reduces the athlete’s momentum more gently. If however, a high jumping athlete falls from a height on to hard ground, then his momentum will be reduced to zero in a very short time. The rate of change of momentum will be large due to which a large opposing force will act on the athlete. This can cause serious injuries to the athlete.
