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Changes in running mechanics over 100-m, 200-m and 400-m treadmill sprints

Tools

Girard, O., Brocherie, F., Tomazin, K., Farooq, A. and Morin, J-B (2016) Changes in running mechanics over 100-m, 200-m and 400-m treadmill sprints. Journal of Biomechanics, 49 (9). pp. 1490-1497.

Link to Published Version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.03.020
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Abstract

Purpose
Compare alterations in running mechanics during maximal treadmill sprints of different distances.

Methods
Eleven physically active males performed short (100-m), medium (200-m) and long (400-m) running sprints on an instrumented treadmill. Continuous measurement of running kinetics/kinematics and spring-mass characteristics were recorded and values subsequently averaged over every 50-m distance intervals for comparison.

Results
Compared with the initial 50 m, running velocity decreased (P<0.001) by 8±2%, 20±4% and 39±7% at the end of the 100, 200 and 400-m, respectively. All sprint distances (except for step length in the 100-m) induced significantly longer (P<0.05) contact times (+7±4%, +22±8% and +36±13%) and lower step lengths (−1±4%, −5±5% and −41±2%) and frequencies (−6±3%, −13±7% and −22±8%) at the end of the 100-m, 200-m and 400-m, respectively. Larger reductions in ground reaction forces occurred in horizontal versus vertical direction, with greater changes with increasing sprinting distance (P<0.05). Similarly, the magnitude of decrement in vertical stiffness increased with sprint distance (P<0.05), while leg stiffness decreases were smaller and limited to 200-m and 400-m runs. Overall, we observed earlier and larger alterations for the 400-m compared with other distances.

Conclusions
The magnitude of changes in running velocity and mechanics over short (100-m), medium (200-m) and long (400-m) treadmill sprints increases with sprint distance. The alterations in stride mechanics occur relatively earlier during the 400-m compared with the 100-m and 200-m runs.

Item Type: Journal Article
Publisher: Elsevier Limited
Copyright: © 2016 Elsevier Ltd.
URI: http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/45564
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