Phase analysis in maximal sprinting: an investigation of step-to-step technical changes between the initial acceleration, transition and maximal velocity phases

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Author
von Lieres und Wilkau, Hans C.
Irwin, Gareth
Bezodis, Neil E.
Simpson, Scott
Bezodis, Ian
Date
2018-07-04Acceptance date
2018-04-30
Type
Article
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
ISSN
1752-6116 (ESSN)
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The aim of this study was to investigate spatiotemporal and kinematic changes between the initial acceleration, transition and maximum velocity phases of a sprint. Sagittal plane kinematics from five experienced sprinters performing 50-m maximal sprints were collected using six HD-video cameras. Following manual digitising, spatiotemporal and kinematic variables at touchdown and toe-off were calculated. The start and end of the transition phase were identified using the step-to-step changes in centre of mass height and segment angles. Mean step-to-step changes of spatiotemporal and kinematic variables during each phase were calculated. Firstly, the study showed that if sufficient trials are available, step-to-step changes in shank and trunk angles might provide an appropriate measure to detect sprint phases in applied settings. However, given that changes in centre of mass height represent a more holistic measure, this was used to sub-divide the sprints into separate phases. Secondly, during the initial acceleration phase large step-to-step changes in touchdown kinematics were observed compared to the transition phase. At toe-off, step-to-step kinematic changes were consistent across the initial acceleration and transition phases before plateauing during the maximal velocity phase. These results provide coaches and practitioners with valuable insights into key differences between phases in maximal sprinting.
Journal/conference proceeding
Sports Biomechanics;
Citation
von Lieres und Wilkau, H.C., Irwin, G., Bezodis, N.E., Simpson, S. and Bezodis, I.N. (2018) 'Phase analysis in maximal sprinting: an investigation of step-to-step technical changes between the initial acceleration, transition and maximal velocity phases', Sports Biomechanics, pp.1-16.
Description
Article published in Sports Biomechanics on 04 July 2018 available at https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2018.1473479
Collections
- Sport Research Groups [1084]
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