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. 2021 Jul 27;16(7):e0255302.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255302. eCollection 2021.

Comparison of development of step-kinematics of assisted 60 m sprints with different pulling forces between experienced male and female sprinters

Roland van den Tillaar  1
Affiliations

Comparison of development of step-kinematics of assisted 60 m sprints with different pulling forces between experienced male and female sprinters

Roland van den Tillaar. PLoS One. .

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare step-by-step kinematics of normal and assisted 60 m sprints with different loads in experienced sprinters. Step-by-step kinematics were measured using inertial measuring units (IMU) integrated with a 3-axis gyroscope and a laser gun in 24 national level male and female sprinters during a normal 60 m sprint and sprints with a 3, 4, and 5 kg pulling force. The main findings were that using increasing assisted loads resulted in faster 60 m times, as a result of higher step velocity mainly caused by longer step lengths in both genders and by shorter contact times in women. Men had longer step lengths, longer contact times, and shorter flight times than women. However, the assisted loads had a greater effect on women than on men, as shown by their larger decrease in sprint times. These time differences in gender were the result of more and longer duration increases in maximal step velocity with increasing assisted loads for women (70-80% of distance) than men (65-70% of distance). This was mainly caused by shorter contact times, and by more increased step lengths in women compared to men. In terms of practical application, it is notable that employing this approach, when using assisted loads can help athletes to reach higher step velocities and hold this for longer, which may be a training impulse to move the speed barrier upwards.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Testing set up with used equipment.
Fig 2
Fig 2. A typical example of three steps of the raw plantar flexion pattern measured with an IMU attached on the left and right foot with corresponding identified contact and flight time phases.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Average velocity per 5% of the distance during normal and 3, 4, and 5 kg assisted 60 m sprints for men and women.
* indicates a significant difference between men and women for each of the sprint conditions. ʘ indicates where maximal velocity was reached for this condition. indicates where values decreased again for this condition.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Average step length and frequency (± SEM) per 5% of the distance during normal and 3, 4, and 5 kg assisted 60 m sprints for men and women.
* indicates a significant difference between men and women for each of the sprint conditions. † indicates a significant difference between these two sprint conditions. ʘ indicates where maximal/minimal values were reached before plateau for this condition. indicates where maximal values increased for this condition. indicates where values decreased again for this condition.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Average contact and flight times per 5% of the normal and 3, 4, and 5 kg assisted 60 m sprints for men and women.
* indicates a significant difference between men and women for each of the sprint conditions. † indicates a significant difference between these two sprint conditions. ʘ indicates where maximal/minimal values were reached for this condition. indicates where maximal/minimal values increased again for this condition.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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