Biomechanical analysis of sprinting: decathletes versus champions.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare some biomechanical variables of decathletes and world class sprinters while running the 100 metre race. Sixteen Swiss national decathletes and three world class American sprinters were filmed by a 16 mm Locam (100 fps) camera at the 70 m mark of the race. The co-ordinates for a 26-point stick figure were digitised and then submitted to analysis by a computer programme which produced quantitative data for 12 biomechanical variables. The data indicated that world-class sprinters differed from decathletes in running the 100 m dash by having (1) an optimal combination of a larger stride length and higher stride frequency (2) a smaller thigh angle at contact which shortens the contact time (3) a larger stride landing angle (4) a greater average acceleration of the thigh angle and (5) a larger trunk angle which contributes to a larger trunk/thigh angle. Although other factors such as culture, training, physique and racial differences may influence differences in performance between American worldclass sprinters and Swiss decathletes, these data do indicate that biomechanical variables may contribute to differences in 100 m dash performance. INTRODUCTIONMany authorities today consider inherent ability to be the prime factor underlying the production of world class performance in the 100 metre sprint. Usually, sprinters who have natural ability try sprint competition and develop without any significant coaching on technique. An important question is: how can the lessendowed sprint athlete approach the performance of the world class sprinter? He can only do this by utilising

On the Importance of “Front-Side Mechanics” in Athletics Sprinting

“…Several authors have emphasised the importance of body configuration at the point of touchdown, specifically in terms of small touchdown distance 9,10,12,17,19,20 and small knee separation 11,13 during MVS, in addition to forward lean of the body during accelerated sprinting. 10,18 Mann & Murphy 20 expressed the two first variables in absolute horizontal distance, but we chose an angular expression to avoid the possible influence of varying dimensions among athletes.…”

“…8,[10][11][12][13][17][18][19] In contrast, authors of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Coaches Education and Certification System's sprint curriculum argue that the elite world of sprinting for more than 20 years has optimized front-side mechanics and minimized back-side mechanics. 20 According to Mann & Murphy,20 groups of variables related to these concepts can be identified during any portion of the sprint race by simply drawing a straight line through the upper body (trunk).…”

“…The fastest runners maximize their acceleration and maximum sprinting velocities by applying greater mass-specific ground forces, [1][2][3] but research literature has so far provided limited information regarding how sprinting athletes should optimize their movements. Due to technology limitations, experimental kinematic studies have typically focused on the measurement area either around the start, [4][5][6] the acceleration phase [7][8][9][10] or during the maximal velocity phase, [11][12][13] typically assessing 1-3 steps. Only a few scientific studies have investigated the kinematics of athletic sprinting based on high-resolution assessments of >6 steps.…”

Muscular strategy shift in human running: dependence of running speed on hip and ankle muscle performance

“…Larger ground forces can be generated at lower running speeds because the leg muscles have enough time to develop the forces needed to lift and accelerate the body during stance (Weyand et al, 2000). At speeds near 7ms -1 , however, ground contact times become very small (Kunz and Kaufmann, 1981;Mann and Herman, 1985;Mann, 1981), limiting the ability of the leg muscles to generate the ground forces needed to increase running speed still further (Weyand et al, 2000). Of particular interest in this respect is the behaviour of the ankle plantarflexors, which undergo significant periods of stretch-shortening during stance (Hennessy and Kilty, 2001;Ishikawa and Komi, 2007;Komi, 1984;Komi, 2000;Kubo et al, 2000;.…”

Effect of downhill sprint training on speed of school boys

“…Facciono (1993) suggested that training at a supramaximal running velocity may improve chronic speed [4]. Kunz and Kaufmann (1981) study results indicated that downhill running yielded approximately 5.4% faster sprint times, compared to flat land running [5].…”