Journal article 974 views 148 downloads
The biomechanics of the track and field sprint start: a narrative review
Neil Bezodis 
,
Steffen Willwacher,
Aki Ilkka Tapio Salo
,
Steffen Willwacher,
Aki Ilkka Tapio Salo
Sports Medicine, Volume: 49, Issue: 9, Pages: 1345 - 1364
Swansea University Author:
Neil Bezodis
-
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DOI (Published version): 10.1007/s40279-019-01138-1
Abstract
The start from blocks is a fundamental component of all track and field sprint events (≤ 400 m). This narrative review focusses on biomechanical aspects of the block phase and the subsequent first flight and stance phases. We discuss specific features of technique and how they may be important for a...
| Published in: | Sports Medicine |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0112-1642 1179-2035 |
| Published: |
2019
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa50747 |
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2019-06-07T14:58:25Z |
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2020-06-30T11:13:53.0966356 v2 50747 2019-06-07 The biomechanics of the track and field sprint start: a narrative review 534588568c1936e94e1ed8527b8c991b 0000-0003-2229-3310 Neil Bezodis Neil Bezodis true false 2019-06-07 STSC The start from blocks is a fundamental component of all track and field sprint events (≤ 400 m). This narrative review focusses on biomechanical aspects of the block phase and the subsequent first flight and stance phases. We discuss specific features of technique and how they may be important for a high level of performance during the start. The need to appropriately quantify performance is discussed first; external power has recently become more frequently adopted because it provides a single measure that appropriately accounts for the requirement to increase horizontal velocity as much as possible in as little time as possible. In the “set” position, a relatively wide range of body configurations are adopted by sprinters irrespective of their ability level, and between-sprinter differences in these general positions do not appear to be directly associated with block phase performance. Greater average force production during the push against the blocks, especially from the rear leg and particularly the hip, appears to be important for performance. Immediately after exiting the blocks, shorter first flight durations and longer first stance durations (allowing more time to generate propulsive force) are found in sprinters of a higher performance level. During the first stance phase, the ankle and knee both appear to play an important role in energy generation, and higher levels of performance may be associated with a stiffer ankle joint and the ability to extend the knee throughout stance. However, the role of the sprinter’s body configuration at touchdown remains unclear, and the roles of strength and anatomy in these associations between technique and performance also remain largely unexplored. Other aspects such as the sex, age and performance level of the studied sprinters, as well as issues with measurement and comparisons with athletes with amputations, are also briefly considered. Journal Article Sports Medicine 49 9 1345 1364 0112-1642 1179-2035 31 12 2019 2019-12-31 10.1007/s40279-019-01138-1 COLLEGE NANME Sport and Exercise Sciences COLLEGE CODE STSC Swansea University 2020-06-30T11:13:53.0966356 2019-06-07T08:54:46.1231665 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Aerospace, Civil, Electrical, General and Mechanical Engineering - Sport and Exercise Sciences Neil Bezodis 0000-0003-2229-3310 1 Steffen Willwacher 2 Aki Ilkka Tapio Salo 3 0050747-19062019162958.pdf bezodis2019.pdf 2019-06-19T16:29:58.3430000 Output 8771159 application/pdf Version of Record true 2019-06-19T00:00:00.0000000 false eng |
| title |
The biomechanics of the track and field sprint start: a narrative review |
| spellingShingle |
The biomechanics of the track and field sprint start: a narrative review Neil Bezodis |
| title_short |
The biomechanics of the track and field sprint start: a narrative review |
| title_full |
The biomechanics of the track and field sprint start: a narrative review |
| title_fullStr |
The biomechanics of the track and field sprint start: a narrative review |
| title_full_unstemmed |
The biomechanics of the track and field sprint start: a narrative review |
| title_sort |
The biomechanics of the track and field sprint start: a narrative review |
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534588568c1936e94e1ed8527b8c991b |
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534588568c1936e94e1ed8527b8c991b_***_Neil Bezodis |
| author |
Neil Bezodis |
| author2 |
Neil Bezodis Steffen Willwacher Aki Ilkka Tapio Salo |
| format |
Journal article |
| container_title |
Sports Medicine |
| container_volume |
49 |
| container_issue |
9 |
| container_start_page |
1345 |
| publishDate |
2019 |
| institution |
Swansea University |
| issn |
0112-1642 1179-2035 |
| doi_str_mv |
10.1007/s40279-019-01138-1 |
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Faculty of Science and Engineering |
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Faculty of Science and Engineering |
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facultyofscienceandengineering |
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Faculty of Science and Engineering |
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School of Aerospace, Civil, Electrical, General and Mechanical Engineering - Sport and Exercise Sciences{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Science and Engineering{{{_:::_}}}School of Aerospace, Civil, Electrical, General and Mechanical Engineering - Sport and Exercise Sciences |
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| description |
The start from blocks is a fundamental component of all track and field sprint events (≤ 400 m). This narrative review focusses on biomechanical aspects of the block phase and the subsequent first flight and stance phases. We discuss specific features of technique and how they may be important for a high level of performance during the start. The need to appropriately quantify performance is discussed first; external power has recently become more frequently adopted because it provides a single measure that appropriately accounts for the requirement to increase horizontal velocity as much as possible in as little time as possible. In the “set” position, a relatively wide range of body configurations are adopted by sprinters irrespective of their ability level, and between-sprinter differences in these general positions do not appear to be directly associated with block phase performance. Greater average force production during the push against the blocks, especially from the rear leg and particularly the hip, appears to be important for performance. Immediately after exiting the blocks, shorter first flight durations and longer first stance durations (allowing more time to generate propulsive force) are found in sprinters of a higher performance level. During the first stance phase, the ankle and knee both appear to play an important role in energy generation, and higher levels of performance may be associated with a stiffer ankle joint and the ability to extend the knee throughout stance. However, the role of the sprinter’s body configuration at touchdown remains unclear, and the roles of strength and anatomy in these associations between technique and performance also remain largely unexplored. Other aspects such as the sex, age and performance level of the studied sprinters, as well as issues with measurement and comparisons with athletes with amputations, are also briefly considered. |
| published_date |
2019-12-31T04:02:21Z |
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1763753214576951296 |
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11.013148 |