Sprint running performance: comparison between treadmill and field conditions

Abstract

We investigated the differences in performance between 100-m sprints performed on a sprint treadmill recently validated versus on a standard track. To date, studies comparing overground and treadmill running have mainly focused on constant and not maximal "free" running speed, and compared running kinetics and kinematics over a limited number of steps, but not overall sprint performance. Eleven male physical education students including two sprinters performed one 100-m on the treadmill and one on a standard athletics track in a randomized order, separated by 30 min. Performance data were derived in both cases from speed-time relationships measured with a radar and with the instrumented sprint treadmill, which allowed subjects to run and produce speed "freely", i.e. with no predetermined belt speed imposed. Field and treadmill typical speed-distance curves and data of maximal and mean speed, 100-m time and acceleration/deceleration time constants were compared using t tests and field-treadmill correlations were tested. All the performance parameters but time to reach top speed and deceleration time constant differed significantly, by about 20% on average, between field and treadmill (e.g. top speed of 8.84 ± 0.51 vs. 6.90 ± 0.39 m s(-1)). However, significant correlations were found (r > 0.63; P < 0.05) for all the performance parameters except time to reach top speed. Treadmill and field 100-m sprint performances are different, despite the fact that subjects could freely accelerate the belt. However, the significant correlations found make it possible to investigate and interpret inter-individual differences in field performance from treadmill measurements.

Comparação entre desempenhos de corrida time trial realizados em pista e esteira

“…These differences observed between one-hour time trial performance (track and treadmill) add weight to the results of other studies which have compared short-duration and high-intensity running (sprinting) and found that performance on a treadmill was slower than performance on a running track 8,9 . In the light of this, some studies have suggested that the fact that the test environment appears more monotonous and less attractive in a laboratory may result in worse performance in treadmill tests 9,10 .…”

“…Additionally, values of HR med (bpm) and HR max (bpm) were statistically different between the two trial types (P = 0.016 and 0.030, respectively). There was no difference in RPE final (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) between the two types of test (P > 0.05).…”

“…With regard to test environments, time trials can be conducted in the field (athletics track) or in laboratories (treadmill). Studies that have investigated differences in running patterns between the two have found differences between trials conducted on a track or treadmill in relation to biomechanical aspects, maximum velocity attained and perceived velocity [7][8][9][10] . Nummela et al 9 and Morin and Seve 8 analyzed maximal sprint tests conducted on treadmill or track and found that maximum velocity attained was statistically higher on the track than on the treadmill.…”

Fatigue after short (100-m), medium (200-m) and long (400-m) treadmill sprints

“…Beside the limits evoked above regarding the short delay between end of exercise and testing, another limitation of the study was probably related to the fact that, although the motorized instrumented treadmill used allowed subjects to run in ''free'' sprinting conditions, the overall 100-m performances were *20% lower than those observed during a field 100-m sprint (Morin and Sève 2011). This lower level of performance was also likely characterizing 200-and 400-m sprints.…”

On the use of mobile inflatable hypoxic marquees for sport-specific altitude training in team sports

“…Noteworthy, however, is that treadmill and field sprint performance differs by about 20%,14 highlighting that the lower speed reached on the treadmill may not be optimal to maximise the sprint-related training benefits.…”