Is Soleus Muscle-Tendon-Unit Behavior Related to Ground-Force Application During the Sprint Start?

Schrödter, Erik; Brüggemann, Gert–Peter; Willwacher, Steffen

doi:10.1123/ijspp.2015-0512

Cited by 16 publications

(36 citation statements)

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“…In fact, the resulting joint angles (front/rear) in the AS condition were similar to those reported in sprinters with ability levels ranging from national-level to world-class [3,4,17]. Consistently, scientific data also showed that the front hip and knee as well as the ankle joint angles were found to be smaller in faster than slower sprinters, allowing for the stretch-reflex of the hip extensor and the soleus muscles and the greatest velocity when leaving the blocks [43,44].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

“…Such variations in the anteroposterior block distances in the AS condition lead to a postural adaptation at the set position resulting in a decrease in the front hip, front knee and rear ankle joint angles and an increase in the rear hip and rear knee joint angles (Table 3). Based on the literature [3,4,17,43,44], it is reasonable to assume that these postural changes at the set position in the AS condition compared to the US condition could be associated with an improvement in performance in the subsequent pushing phase such as greater RPF, H_RPF, RFI, Ratio_rear, Total F impulse and NAHEP. In fact, the resulting joint angles (front/rear) in the AS condition were similar to those reported in sprinters with ability levels ranging from national-level to world-class [3,4,17].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Anthropometry-driven block setting improves starting block performance in sprinters

Cavedon

Sandri

Pirlo³

et al. 2019

PLoS ONE

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This study tested the effect of two block setting conditions i.e., the usual block setting [US] and an anthropometry-driven block setting [AS] on the kinematic and kinetic parameters of the sprint start. Furthermore, we verified whether this effect is influenced by the relative lengths of the sprinter’s trunk and lower limbs i.e., the Cormic Index by subdividing sprinters into brachycormic, metricormic and macrocormic groups. Forty-two sprinters performed 6 maximal-effort 10 m sprints using the US and AS conditions. Dynamometric starting blocks measured forces generated by the sprinters. The times at 5 m and 10 m in the sprint trials were measured with photocells. Results showed that the anteroposterior block distances were significantly different between the two conditions (P<0.001). Across the sample, the horizontal block velocity, the rear peak force, the rear force impulse, the total force impulse, the horizontal block power, the ratio of horizontal to resultant impulse in the rear block, the first and second step lengths and the times at 5 m and 10 m improved in AS vs. US (P values from 0.05 to 0.001). Considering the interaction between the block setting condition and the Cormic Index, the rear peak force and the rear force impulse were significantly increased in the metricormic and brachycormic groups (P≤0.001) and the metricormic group (P<0.001), respectively. Kinetic variables in the rear block and the difference (Delta) in the front block/starting line distance between US and AS were related with each other (Adjusted R 2 values from 0.07 to 0.36). In conclusion, AS was associated with improvement in the kinematic and kinetic parameters of the sprint start performance vs. US; however, AS is apparently best suited for metricormic sprinters. Further work is needed to verify how the sprint start kinetic and kinematic parameters are related to the front block/starting line distance and whether a block setting driven by the sprinter’s Cormic Index is able to improve sprint start performance.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anthropometry-driven block setting improves starting block performance in sprinters

Cavedon

Sandri

Pirlo³

et al. 2019

PLoS ONE

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“…The current finding of no correlation between AHEP and block angles are in line with a previous study which revealed no effects of habitual block angle on block power (Schrödter et al, 2016). For the COP locations on the starting block surface, it moved backward and upward at first and then forward and downward toward the toe-off for both legs, and these changes in COP location on the starting block surface are consistent with a previous case report (Ohshima et al, 2019).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…The location and angle of each block can be arranged by a sprinter for accomplishing his/her best race performance. Because of these regulations, there have been studies which examined locations and angles of starting blocks for better start or entire sprint race performances (Dickinson, 1934;Kistler, 1934;Henry, 1952;Sigerseth and Grinaker, 1962;Stock, 1962;Guissard et al, 1992;Schot and Knutzen, 1992;Harland and Steele, 1997;Mero et al, 2006;Slawinski et al, 2012;Schrödter et al, 2016). For example, it has been found that longer anteroposterior inter-block spacing could result in greater block clearance velocity through greater propulsive impulse, if it was accompanied with longer push phase duration and vice versa (Dickinson, 1934;Kistler, 1934;Henry, 1952;Schot and Knutzen, 1992).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, intermediate anteroposterior interblock spacing was recommended for better block clearance performance (Sigerseth and Grinaker, 1962;Stock, 1962). For block angles, no effect of habitual block angle on block power was found (Schrödter et al, 2016), whereas the reduction of the front block angle resulted in an increment of block clearance velocity with consistent block clearance duration (Guissard et al, 1992;Mero et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Location of the Center of Pressure on the Starting Block Is Related to Sprint Start Performance

Nagahara

Ohshima

2019

Front. Sports Act. Living

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Force application locations [i.e., center of pressure (COP)] on the block surface are not necessarily the same for individuals even if the same block locations and angles are used. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of block clearance performance with COP location on the starting block surface. Twenty-one male sprinters performed 60 m sprints from the starting blocks, during which the ground reaction forces (GRFs) on the starting blocks were recorded using two force platforms. Using a previously validated method, changes in COP location on the block surface during the block clearance for each block was calculated from the marker coordinates on the block surface, GRF signals, and moment data around the center of the force platform at the ground level. Moreover, average horizontal external power (AHEP), which was considered the key performance criterion, was computed. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) 1D linear regressions were used to test relationships between AHEP and COP location curves in the anteroposterior and vertical directions. The COP for both legs moved backward and upward (0.042 and 0.042 m for the front block and 0.030 and 0.034 m for the rear block) at first and then forward and downward (0.113 and 0.094 m for the front block and 0.095 and 0.087 m for the rear block) toward the toe-off. Based on SPM results, AHEP was correlated with front block anteroposterior and vertical COP locations from 12.9 to 20.8% and from 10.4 to 22.2% of the force production phase, respectively, while it was correlated with rear block vertical COP location from 31.9 to 37.4% of the force production phase. In conclusion, the current results demonstrate that, regardless of the starting block location and angle, better sprint start performance is accomplished with a higher and more to the rear COP on the starting block surface, when COP is located close to heel during the middle phase of the block clearance. The fact that the COP location is related to sprint start performance will be useful for sprinters and coaches who intend to improve sprint start performance.

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The Biomechanics of the Track and Field Sprint Start: A Narrative Review

2019

Self Cite

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The start from blocks is a fundamental component of all track and field sprint events (≤ 400 m). This narrative review focusses on biomechanical aspects of the block phase and the subsequent first flight and stance phases. We discuss specific features of technique and how they may be important for a high level of performance during the start. The need to appropriately quantify performance is discussed first; external power has recently become more frequently adopted because it provides a single measure that appropriately accounts for the requirement to increase horizontal velocity as much as possible in as little time as possible. In the "set" position, a relatively wide range of body configurations are adopted by sprinters irrespective of their ability level, and between-sprinter differences in these general positions do not appear to be directly associated with block phase performance. Greater average force production during the push against the blocks, especially from the rear leg and particularly the hip, appears to be important for performance. Immediately after exiting the blocks, shorter first flight durations and longer first stance durations (allowing more time to generate propulsive force) are found in sprinters of a higher performance level. During the first stance phase, the ankle and knee both appear to play an important role in energy generation, and higher levels of performance may be associated with a stiffer ankle joint and the ability to extend the knee throughout stance. However, the role of the sprinter's body configuration at touchdown remains unclear, and the roles of strength and anatomy in these associations between technique and performance also remain largely unexplored. Other aspects such as the sex, age and performance level of the studied sprinters, as well as issues with measurement and comparisons with athletes with amputations, are also briefly considered.

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Is Soleus Muscle-Tendon-Unit Behavior Related to Ground-Force Application During the Sprint Start?

Cited by 16 publications

References 0 publications

Anthropometry-driven block setting improves starting block performance in sprinters

Anthropometry-driven block setting improves starting block performance in sprinters

The Location of the Center of Pressure on the Starting Block Is Related to Sprint Start Performance

The Biomechanics of the Track and Field Sprint Start: A Narrative Review

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