Lower-limb coordination changes following a six-week training intervention that elicited enhancements to maximum velocity sprint performance

Abstract

Alterations to intra- and inter-limb coordination with improved maximal velocity performance remain largely unexplored. This study quantified within-day variability in lower-limb segmental coordination profiles during maximal velocity sprinting and investigated the modifications to coordination strategies in 15 recreationally active males following a six-week period comprised of a multimodal training programme (intervention group (INT); n = 7) or continued participation in sports (control group; n = 8). The INT demonstrated a large decline (effect size = -1.54) in within-day coordination profile variability, suggesting potential skill development. Thigh-thigh coordination modifications for the INT were characterised by an earlier onset of trail thigh reversal in early swing (26 vs. 28% stride) and lead thigh reversal in late swing (76 vs. 79% stride), rather than increases in overall time spent in anti-phase. Moreover, an increase in backwards thigh-dominant, thigh-shank (effect size, 95% CIs: 0.75, 0.17 to 1.33) and shank-dominant, shank-foot (0.76, -0.17 to 1.68) rotations during late swing likely facilitated more aggressive acceleration of the foot prior to touchdown, contributing to reduced touchdown distance and more favourable lower-limb configuration at initial ground contact. These novel findings provide empirical support for the role of longitudinal coordination modifications in improving maximal velocity performance.