Acta Univ. Palacki. Olomuc., Gymn. 2012 42(2): 27-32 | DOI: 10.5507/ag.2012.009

Comparative analysis of the support phase during first two steps after leaving the starting blocks

Vladimír Hojka, Petr Kubový, Radka Bačáková
Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, Prague

Background: Biomechanical analysis of accelerated running dynamics provide valuable information about movement execution. The key phase of the movement is the ground contact phase, in which force impulses applied on the human body are generated.

Objective: The main goal of the study was to analyze differences in the support phase during first and second ground contact off the blocks.

Methods: 10 male athletes (22.9 ± 4.6 years) took part in laboratory experiment. Force-plate Kistler 9281 EA (Winterthur, Switzerland) was used to determine the contact forces in both steps independently. Matlab Software (The MathWorks, Inc., Natick, USA) was used for calculations of the force impulse, produced velocities and average acceleration during the support phase. Matlab also provided the tool for statistical processing of the results (paired T-test and correlation analysis).

Results: Significant differences (α = 0.01) were identified between the first and second step's support phase in contact duration, produced horizontal velocity and average horizontal acceleration. Produced horizontal velocity achieved value 1.117 ± 0.081 ms-1 during first and 0.835 ± 0.074 ms-1 during second ground contact after blocks. Average acceleration showed negative correlation with the height of the athlete during the first ground contact off the blocks (r = -0.42). If braking force was present during first 20-40 ms of ground contact, it led to longer duration of support phase and was coupled with a smaller value of average acceleration.

Conclusions: Braking phase during first steps after the blocks should be considered always as an imperfection of movement execution. Taller athletes seem to be disadvantaged during first ground contact after leaving the blocks. The first and second step's ground phases are significantly different.

Keywords: biomechanics, dynamics, start, acceleration, running

Prepublished online: June 30, 2012; Published: March 1, 2012  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Hojka, V., Kubový, P., & Bačáková, R. (2012). Comparative analysis of the support phase during first two steps after leaving the starting blocks. Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis. Gymnica, 42(2), 27-32. doi: 10.5507/ag.2012.009
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Auvinet, B., Berrut, G., Touzard, C., Moutel, L., Collet, N., Chaleil, D., & Barrey, E. (2002). Reference data for normal subjects obtained with an accelerometric device. Gait & Posture, 16(2), 124-134. doi: 10.1016/s0966-6362(01)00203-x. Go to original source...
    2. Bosch, F., & Klomp, R. (2004). Running: Biomechanics and exercise physiology in practice. New York: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
    3. Ciacci, S., Di Michele, R., & Merni, F. (2010). Kine matic analysis of the braking and propulsion pha ses during the support time in sprint running. Gait Posture, 31(2), 209-212. doi: DOI10.1016/j.gaitpost.2009.10.007. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    4. Čoh, M., Peharec, S., Bačič, P., & Kampmiller, T. (2009). Dynamic factors and electromyographic activity in a sprint start. Biology of Sport, 26(2), 137-147. Go to original source...
    5. Čoh, M., Tomažin, K., & Štuhec, S. (2006). The biomechanical model of the sprint start and block acceleration. Facta Universitatis: Physical Education and Sport, 4(2), 103-114.
    6. Hay, J. G., & Reid, J. G. (1988). Anatomy, mechanics, and human motion (2nd ed.). Englewood Cliff s, N. J.: Prentice Hall.
    7. Herzog, W., & Leonard, T. R. (2005). The role of passive structures in force enhancement of skeletal mus cles following active stretch. J. Biomech., 38(3), 409-415. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2004.05.001. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    8. Hunter, J. P., Marshall, R. N., & McNair, P. (2005). Relationships between ground reaction force impulse and kinematics of sprint-running acceleration. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 21(1), 31-43. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    9. Kobayashi, K., Tsuchie, H., Matsuo, A., Fukunaga, T., & Kawakami, Y. (2008). Changes in sprint performance and kinetics during the acceleration phase of running of a world record holder. In K. Young-Hoo, S. Jaeho, S. Jae Kun, & S. In-Sik (Eds.), XXVI International Conference on Biomechanics in Sports (pp. 591). Soul: ISBS.
    10. Kugler, F., & Janshen, L. (2010). Body position determines propulsive forces in accelerated running. Journal of Biomechanics, 43(2), 343-348. doi: DOI10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.07.041. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    11. Kyrolainen, H., Avela, J., & Komi, P. V. (2005). Changes in muscle activity with increasing running speed. J. Sports Sci., 23(10), 1101-1109. doi: 10.1080/02640410400021575. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    12. Novacheck, T. F. (1998). The biomechanics of running. Gait Posture, 7(1), 77-95. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    13. Roberts, T. J. (2006). Integrated muscle-tendon function during running accelerations. Journal of Biomechanics, 39(Suppl. 1), 360. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    14. Sedláček, J., Koštial, J., Kampmiller, T., & Dremmelová, I. (2004). The use of supra-maximal running speed means in sprinter training. Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis. Gymnica, 34(1), 15-22.
    15. Slawinski, J., Bonnefoy, A., Ontanon, G., Leveque, J. M., Miller, C., Riquet, A., Dumas, R., & Chèze, L. (2010). Segment-interaction in sprint start: Analysis of 3D angular velocity and kinetic energy in elite sprinters. Journal of Biomechanics, 43(8), 1494-1502. doi: DOI10.1016/j.jbiomech.2010.01.044. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    16. Vanderka, M., & Kampmiller, T. (2011). Ontogenetic development of kinematic parameters of the running stride. Sport Science Review, 20(3-4), 5-24. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content