Mechanical determinants of 100-m sprint running performance

Abstract

Sprint mechanics and field 100-m performances were tested in 13 subjects including 9 non-specialists, 3 French national-level sprinters and a world-class sprinter, to further study the mechanical factors associated with sprint performance. 6-s sprints performed on an instrumented treadmill allowed continuous recording of step kinematics, ground reaction forces (GRF), and belt velocity and computation of mechanical power output and linear force-velocity relationships. An index of the force application technique was computed as the slope of the linear relationship between the decrease in the ratio of horizontal-to-resultant GRF and the increase in velocity. Mechanical power output was positively correlated to mean 100-m speed (P < 0.01), as was the theoretical maximal velocity production capability (P < 0.011), whereas the theoretical maximal force production capability was not. The ability to apply the resultant force backward during acceleration was positively correlated to 100-m performance (r (s) > 0.683; P < 0.018), but the magnitude of resultant force was not (P = 0.16). Step frequency, contact and swing time were significantly correlated to acceleration and 100-m performance (positively for the former, negatively for the two latter, all P < 0.05), whereas aerial time and step length were not (all P > 0.21). Last, anthropometric data of body mass index and lower-limb-to-height ratio showed no significant correlation with 100-m performance. We concluded that the main mechanical determinants of 100-m performance were (1) a "velocity-oriented" force-velocity profile, likely explained by (2) a higher ability to apply the resultant GRF vector with a forward orientation over the acceleration, and (3) a higher step frequency resulting from a shorter contact time.

Limited Post-activation Potentiation Effects Provided by the Walking Lunge on Sprint Acceleration: A Preliminary Analysis

“…The results indicated that there were no significant changes in the best potentiated sprint performance relative to the baseline for any sprint interval following either PAP condition. Sprint acceleration requires great force be produced to overcome the inertia of an individual's body mass [22], with a particular importance for horizontal force production [26]. The force generated during the WL may not have been sufficient to potentiate 20-m sprint performance.…”

“…Yetter and Moir [16] stated that an exercise such as a back squat may not provide a movement-specific stimulation to the muscles required for sprint acceleration due to the different mechanical demands of acceleration versus maximal velocity sprinting. As sprint acceleration places a greater emphasis on horizontal force as opposed to vertical force [26], a strength exercise that features a horizontal component such as a walking lunge (WL) [25,27] may be better suited to providing a PAP effect. However, no research has investigated if the WL is an appropriate exercise to potentiate sprinting.…”

On the Importance of “Front-Side Mechanics” in Athletics Sprinting

“…Many studies have examined the mechanics of linear sprinting, with the majority focusing on spatiotemporal variables. The fastest runners maximize their acceleration and maximum sprinting velocities by applying greater mass-specific ground forces, [1][2][3] but research literature has so far provided limited information regarding how sprinting athletes should optimize their movements. Due to technology limitations, experimental kinematic studies have typically focused on the measurement area either around the start, [4][5][6] the acceleration phase [7][8][9][10] or during the maximal velocity phase, [11][12][13] typically assessing 1-3 steps.…”

Effects of 6-week squat, deadlift, or hip thrust training program on speed, power, agility, and strength in experienced lifters: A pilot study

“…Recent research has shown high levels of horizontal force application is related to faster sprinting speeds. [11][12][13][14][15] Contreras and colleagues 16 found that the hip thrust is effective for improving both horizontal jump distance and sprinting performance.…”