Can you jump higher if you run? If so, why? (High jumping)?

Question

I have often wondered why high jumpers can jump higher if you run. The way I see it is that you only build up horizontal speed, and since you're running on a plane, I cannot see how this speed can be used to increase the vertical speed. I cannot say that I have any definite proof of this claim, but there must be a reason why ALL high jumpers run instead of just jumping from standing still. After giving it some thought, and with the help from comments, I figured that running gives you the speed needed to not having to convert any vertical speed to horizontal speed. In high jumping, you need some horizontal speed to get over the pole. However, the world record for standing high jump is 1.90m, while the record for regular high jump is 2.45. I have a hard time believing that you can gain 55cm purely from this. And especially since standing high jumpers are allowed to perform the jump with both feet. Regular high jumpers are only allowed to have one foot touching the ground during take off.

Answer 1

Running builds up kinetic energy, and when you plant your leg in front of you (at an approximately 45-degree angle), you redirect some of that energy upward. Contrast that with a standing high jump, in which all of the kinetic energy is developed in a very short time, and by fewer muscles.