| KINEMATIC
DETERMINANTS OF EARLY ACCELERATION IN FIELD SPORT ATHLETES |
Aron J. Murphy  ,
Robert G. Lockie and Aaron J. Coutts |
Human Performance Laboratory, School of Leisure, Sport and Tourism, University
of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
| Received |
|
02 June 2003 |
| Accepted |
|
10
October 2003
|
| Published |
|
01 December 2003 |
©
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2003) 2, 144-150
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Acceleration performance
is important for field sport athletes that require a high level of repeat
sprint ability. Although acceleration is widely trained for, there is little
evidence outlining which kinematic factors delineate between good and poor
acceleration. The aim of this study was to investigate the kinematic differences
between individuals with fast and slow acceleration. Twenty field sport
athletes were tested for sprint ability over the first three steps of a
15m sprint. Subjects were filmed at high speed to determine a range of lower
body kinematic measures. For data analysis, subjects were then divided into
relatively fast (n = 10) and slow (n = 10) groups based on their horizontal
velocity. Groups were then compared across kinematic measures, including
stride length and frequency, to determine whether they accounted for observed
differences in sprint velocity. The results showed the fast group had significantly
lower (~11-13%) left and right foot contact times (p < .05), and an increased
stride frequency (~9%), as compared to the slow group. Knee extension was
also significantly different between groups (p < .05). There was no difference
found in stride length. It was concluded that those subjects who are relatively
fast in early acceleration achieve this through reduced ground contact times
resulting in an improved stride frequency. Training for improved acceleration
should be directed towards using coaching instructions and drills that specifically
train such movement adaptations.
KEY WORDS: Sprint performance, first step quickness, running
speed
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