Sprinting kinematics and inter-limb coordination patterns at varying slope inclinations

Inter- and intra-limb coordination during initial sprint acceleration

“…Recent studies have investigated thigh angular motion during maximal velocity ( Clark et al, 2020 ; Kakehata et al, 2021 ), acceleration ( Bayne et al, 2020 ; Walker et al, 2021 ) and uphill sprinting ( Okudaira et al, 2021 ). From coaching observations, such investigations focus on ‘switching’ and ‘scissoring’, the respective points where the thighs cross over or reverse rotation ( Clark et al, 2020 ; Okudaira et al, 2021 ; Kakehata et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Recent studies have investigated thigh angular motion during maximal velocity ( Clark et al, 2020 ; Kakehata et al, 2021 ), acceleration ( Bayne et al, 2020 ; Walker et al, 2021 ) and uphill sprinting ( Okudaira et al, 2021 ). From coaching observations, such investigations focus on ‘switching’ and ‘scissoring’, the respective points where the thighs cross over or reverse rotation ( Clark et al, 2020 ; Okudaira et al, 2021 ; Kakehata et al, 2021 ). Clark et al (2020) found faster sprinters had greater thigh angular accelerations and greater average thigh angular velocity over the gait cycle, suggesting the ability to rapidly transition between thigh flexion and extension is important.…”

“… Clark et al (2020) found faster sprinters had greater thigh angular accelerations and greater average thigh angular velocity over the gait cycle, suggesting the ability to rapidly transition between thigh flexion and extension is important. During acceleration, maximal velocity and uphill running, the thighs produce an oscillatory motion rotating in opposing directions, with one flexing and the other extending ( Clark et al, 2020 ; Bayne et al, 2020 ; Okudaira et al, 2021 ), resulting from unique constraints on human bipedal gait ( Kiely and Collins, 2016 ). Only two studies have investigated inter-limb thigh coordination.…”

“…Only two studies have investigated inter-limb thigh coordination. Bayne et al (2020) found elite sprinters spent more of the step in anti-phase (opposing rotation) than sub-elite counterparts during initial acceleration while Okudaira et al (2021) found increased anti-phase with increased incline in uphill sprinting. However, neither study found anti-phase motion at all time points and were not able to identify why that was the case or any other characteristic features of thigh coordination.…”

“…To date, sprint coordination studies have primarily focused on coordination patterns between two groups over multiple steps, with less emphasis on potential differences between steps or individuals ( Bayne et al, 2020 ; Okudaira et al, 2021 ; Bezodis et al, 2019a ). However, previous literature suggests the first step may have unique characteristics ( Charalambous et al, 2012 ; Bezodis et al, 2014 ) and key segment angles change from step-to-step during initial acceleration ( Nagahara et al, 2014 ; von Lieres und Wilkau et al, 2018 ; Donaldson et al, 2020 ).…”