Abstract
(1) Background: Within the current study we aimed at exploring gender-related differences and the relationship between sprint start block kinematics and kinetics and sprint acceleration force–velocity (F-v) relationship parameters (maximal force [F0], maximal velocity [v0], maximal power [Pmax] and slope) in top national-level sprinters. (2) Methods: Twenty-eight sprinters (6 females) performed 10 maximal 30-m sprints. Start block and acceleration kinematics and kinetics were collected with an instrumented sprint start block and a laser distance sensor (KiSprint system). Displacement-time data were used to determine the F-v relationship through Samozino’s method. (3) Results: Start block rear foot maximal force (effect size [ES] = 1.08), rate of force development (ES = 0.90–1.33), F0 (ES = 1.38), v0 (ES = 1.83) and Pmax (ES = 1.95) were higher in males than in females (p ≤ 0.05). There were no differences in the slope, and ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force. F0, v0, and Pmax generally presented higher correlations with the start block kinetics (median r [range] = 0.49 [0.28, 0.78]) than with the kinematics (median r [range] = −0.27 [−0.52, 0.28]). (4) Conclusions: We confirmed that sprint block phase and sprint acceleration mechanics should be mutually assessed when analyzing sprinting performance. KiSprint system could provide more accurate information regarding mechanical pattern and technique during sprint initiation and acceleration, and potentially help create a more personalized and effective training program.
Highlights
The ability to quickly accelerate from a static position and maintain high running velocities are clear determinants of performance in sprint race events and key performance indicators in many other sport disciplines [1,2]
Descriptive statistics for kinematic and kinetic sprint start variables obtained from sensors positioned in thestatistics start blocks well as for parameters from the
This study was designed to compare the kinematic and kinetic variables collected during the block phase, and F-v relationship parameters obtained during the acceleration phase between top national-level male and female track and field athletes
Summary
The ability to quickly accelerate from a static position and maintain high running velocities are clear determinants of performance in sprint race events and key performance indicators in many other sport disciplines [1,2]. Public Health 2020, 17, 6447; doi:10.3390/ijerph17186447 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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