Efficiency factors in 110-metre hurdle clearance techniques: kinematics among specialist hurdlers and decathletes

Abstract

PurposeTechnical differences may explain why elite hurdles specialists (EHS) and elite decathletes (ED) perform differently in the 110-metre hurdles. This study aims to compare the hurdle-unit kinematic parameters in EHS and ED.MethodsA total of 20 male athletes were recruited, including 10 EHS (age: 20.9 ± 2.2 years, body mass: 76.9 ± 7.0 kg, height: 1.85 ± 0.05 m) and 10 ED (age: 20.8 ± 2.27 years, body mass: 87.7 ± 6.9 kg, height: 1.91 ± 0.03 m). Their three-dimensional movement was analysed for hurdling sequences over the whole hurdle-crossing phase and the entire cycle of the first stride after the hurdle, with spatial, temporal, and angular characteristics compared between groups.ResultsEHS were characterised by faster hurdle crossing (p = 0.002), shorter stride length over the hurdle (p = 0.002), and a shorter support phase in the first stride post-hurdle (p = 0.005). The centre of mass (CM) path of ED was higher than that of EHS (p = 0.003). EHS attack the hurdle with the lead leg’s knee significantly more flexed (p = 0.001) and after crossing the hurdle, regain contact with the ground with the lead leg more flexed at the hip level (p = 0.004), the trunk more inclined forward (p = 0.01), and a relatively smaller positioning angle of the supporting leg (p = 0.021).ConclusionsEHS can be identified by their reduced impulse time, abbreviated take-off phase over the hurdle, and accelerated landing. Furthermore, EHS achieved optimum speed between obstacles faster, resulting in less speed loss and enhanced performance.