The relationship between muscle strength and sprint kinematics in elite sprinters

Abstract

Twenty-three elite sprinters, 9 females and 14 males, were filmed while performing a maximal sprint. Age, height, weight, and personal best 100 m time were also determined for each sprinter. Several kinematic variables were calculated for each athlete from the filmed sprint, including stride length, stride frequency, horizontal and vertical velocity of the CG, and the angular kinematics of the limbs. A Kin/Com isokinetic dynamometer was used to determine lower limb peak and average torque values. Correlation coefficients were calculated between each of the kinematic variables and each of the strength variables. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was also carried out for each set of kinematic and strength variables, to determine the best predictors of sprinting speed. Significant relationships were noted between sprinting times for the 100 m and peak torque scores (N.m/kg) for males for fast concentric knee extension and slow eccentric dorsiflexion, and for females for concentric dorsiflexion at both speeds, and slow eccentric dorsiflexion.