Training of the sprint start technique with biomechanical feedback

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to improve the individual starting technique of eight top junior sprinters using biomechanical feedback training. Three technical parameters (blocks spacing to the start line, knee angle of the front leg and proportion of body mass falling on the hands) were varied. The horizontal velocity at take-off and the time to 10 m were the criteria used to evaluate the effect of the technical changes. All of the parameters were measured simultaneously and the athletes were provided with feedback immediately after each attempt. Seven of eight sprinters showed a statistically significant improvement in starting performance after modifying the position of their blocks. The improvement in 10-m time and horizontal velocity at take-off did not correlate significantly. The power exerted during the starting action correlated significantly with the time to 10 m. Therefore, it was concluded that effective biomechanical feedback during the training of the sprint start should use power exerted as the principal criterion because horizontal velocity shows an intra-individual optimal trend in improvement.

Biomechanical structure of sprint start and effect of biological feedback methods on sprint start performance

“…They aimed to improve sprint start technique of these athletes using a biomechanical feedback training method. They investigated three technical variables: 1) distance between starting block and the starting line, 2) knee joint angle of the front leg, 3) distribution of body weight on each hand (28). Horizontal block velocity and 10 m sprint time constituted the performance criteria of athletes.…”

“…Horizontal block velocity and 10 m sprint time constituted the performance criteria of athletes. All variables were measured simultaneously and feedback was provided immediately after the evaluation of the performance measures (28). At the end of the study, 7 of 8 athletes changed their sprint start positions and statistically significant improvements were observed in their sprint start performances.…”

“…In addition, a strong positive relationship was found between the generated forces at the onset of the sprint start and 10 m sprint times. Mendoza and Schollhorn (28) concluded that inter-individual differences existed in block velocity among athletes and suggested that biomechanical feedback should be used effectively during sprint start training .…”

Implementing the Five-A Model of Technical Refinement: Key Roles of the Sport Psychologist

“…It is important to note, however, that if sport psychologists are to make further in-roads within coaching environments, the field must be able to demonstrate even greater expertise in situations relating to the development of an athlete's movement technique (e.g., Mendoza & Schöllhorn, 1993;Penn & Spratford, 2011;Ranson, King, Burnett, Worthington, & Shine, 2009). One specific and important instance of this contribution, are situations in which an athlete's already learned and well-established technique is in need of refinement, a small tweak or polish rather than the learning of a completely new movement (see Carson & Collins, 2011).…”

A Comparison of 5, 10, 30 Meters Sprint, Modified T-Test, Arrowhead and Illinois Agility Tests on Football Referees

“…5 m sprinting performance requires some other special skills such as explosiveness and techniques such as correct starting position (Duthie et al, 2006;Marques et al, 2011;Mendoza & Schöllhorn, 1993). So that, these weaker correlations might be affected by the wrong starting techniques and the difference of the explosiveness skills of the football referees.…”