The Effect of Resistance Training on Hip-Knee Continuous Relative Phase Measures during Accelerative Sprinting.

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to examine the hip-knee coordination patterns during accelerative sprinting following a period of resistance training (RT). METHODS: Seventeen physically active males participated in a randomized controlled study. An experimental group of 10 men completed an eight week periodized RT intervention, while a control group of 7 men did not train. Pre and post-training measures of 10 m and 20 m sprint time, maximum strength and explosive strength were recorded. The first three strides of the 20 m sprint were videoed to provide kinematic data. Phase-plane diagrams and relative phase (RP) measures of the hip and knee joints were used to assess coordination during the sprint. RESULTS: The RT intervention resulted in significant increases in measures of maximum and explosive strength (p < 0.05) immediately following the training period, but sprint times were not significantly reduced (p > 0.05). Despite significant increases in the range of motion about the knee joint during the first three strides of the sprint and significant increases in the angle of extension about the hip and knee joints at toe-off, the coordination between the joints assessed with RP measures was not significantly changed immediately following the training period. CONCLUSIONS: Eight weeks of RT resulted in substantial improvements in muscular strength. However, there were no changes in the coordination between the hip and knee joints during the accelerative sprinting performance immediately following the RT program.