Biomechanics in Sprinting
Biomechanics in sprinting The past century has seen sprinting evolve into a very technical and exciting event. Sprinting success relies on initially performing a fast start and then achieving and maintaining the highest possible running speed (Buckley and Johnson, 2001). Biomechanics has had a huge influence in the development of sprinting and has played a big part in helping athletes such as Maurice Greene consistently perform sub ten second times over 100 metres. This study will investigate some of the many ways that biomechanics has aided research developments in sprinting. It will examine four main areas: Electromyography; force platforms; kinematics; and external factors in sprinting Electromyography Electromyography (EMG) examines muscular activity by attaching sensors to various body parts. It has been very useful in sprinting as it has helped sport scientists understand the muscles that are working whilst running at maximal velocity. ... Firstly by comparing EMG studies in sprinting and weight training, it has enabled coaches to provide more specific and beneficial training programmes to their athletes. (Komi and Mero, 1994) investigated EMG activities in leg muscles used in sprinting and compared them to that of other exercises such as bounding and stepping. They found that stepping and hoping exercises used the same major leg muscles as sprinting but at a much greater demand during propulsion phases. ... Biomechanical studies like this have not only helped to improved sprinting at elite levels, but the sport has moved on as a whole. ... (Mero and Peltola, 1989) studied the acceleration phase in sprinting using EMG. ... Sprinting has benefited greatly from the use of such platforms. ... Published research on GRF in sprinting is quite limited, however there is a lot studying the effects of GRF in distance running. However we can relate distance running to sprinting, because we still we have the capability to do research on GRF in sprinting if we wished. Cavangh (1980) studied biomechanics in distance running. ... Obviously in sprinting if a model was produced the stance and swing stage would be reduced as more time would be spent in the air. ... Although I didn’t find much information on GRF in sprinting I’m sure there is some out there, may be it just hasn’t been published. ... In the case of sprinting, kinematics is the geometry of motion including displacement, velocity and acceleration. ... Sprinting has many kinematic factors, I will focus on two: running economy; and injury. ... However in sprinting this is hard to do because short sprints e. ... Michael Johnson (Olympic gold medallist at 200 and 400 m) is commonly recognised for his sprinting posture and economy of effort.