Lower limb joint kinetics during the first stance phase in athletics sprinting: three elite athlete case studies

Abstract

This study analysed the first stance phase joint kinetics of three elite sprinters to improve the understanding of technique and investigate how individual differences in technique could influence the resulting levels of performance. Force (1000 Hz) and video (200 Hz) data were collected and resultant moments, power and work at the stance leg metatarsal-phalangeal (MTP), ankle, knee and hip joints were calculated. The MTP and ankle joints both exhibited resultant plantarflexor moments throughout stance. Whilst the ankle joint generated up to four times more energy than it absorbed, the MTP joint was primarily an energy absorber. Knee extensor resultant moments and power were produced throughout the majority of stance, and the best-performing sprinter generated double and four times the amount of knee joint energy compared to the other two sprinters. The hip joint extended throughout stance. Positive hip extensor energy was generated during early stance before energy was absorbed at the hip as the resultant moment became flexor-dominant towards toe-off. The generation of energy at the ankle appears to be of greater importance than in later phases of a sprint, whilst knee joint energy generation may be vital for early acceleration and is potentially facilitated by favourable kinematics at touchdown.     

Lower limb joint kinetics in the starting blocks and first stance in athletic sprinting

The aim of this study was to examine lower limb joint kinetics during the block and first stance phases in athletic sprinting. Ten male sprinters (100 m PB, 10.50 ± 0.27 s) performed maximal sprint starts from blocks. External force (1000 Hz) and three-dimensional kinematics (250 Hz) were recorded in both the block (utilising instrumented starting blocks) and subsequent first stance phases. Ankle, knee and hip resultant joint moment, power and work were calculated at the rear and front leg during the block phase and during first stance using inverse dynamics. Significantly (P < 0.05) greater peak moment, power and work were evident at the knee joint in the front block and during stance compared with the rear block. Ankle joint kinetic data significantly increased during stance compared with the front and rear block. The hip joint dominated leg extensor energy generation in the block phase (rear leg, 61 ± 10%; front leg, 64 ± 8%) but significantly reduced during stance (32 ± 9%), where the ankle contributed most (42 ± 6%). The current study provides novel insight into sprint start biomechanics and the contribution of the lower limb joints towards leg extensor energy generation.     

Muscle power patterns in the mid-acceleration phase of sprinting

To assess the role of the lower limb joints in generating velocity in the mid-acceleration phase of sprinting, muscle power patterns of the hip, knee and ankle were determined. Six male sprinters with a mean 100 m time of 10.75 s performed repeated maximal sprints along a 35 m indoor track. A complete stride across a force platform, positioned at approximately 14 m into the sprint, was video-recorded for analysis. Smoothed coordinate data were obtained from manual digitization of (50 Hz) video images and were then interpolated to match the sampling rate of the recorded ground reaction force (1000 Hz). The moment at each joint was then calculated using inverse dynamics and multiplied by the angular velocity to determine the muscle power. The results showed a proximal-to-distal timing in the generation of peak extensor power during stance at the hip, the knee and then the ankle, with the plantar flexors producing the greatest peak power. Apart from a moderate power generation peak towards toe-off, knee power was negligible despite a large extensor moment throughout stance. The role of the knee thus appears to be one of maintaining the centre of mass height and enabling the power generated at the hip to be transferred to the ankle.     

Muscle force adaptation to changes in upper body position during seated sprint cycling

ABSTRACT

Sprint cycling performance depends upon the balance between muscle and drag forces. This study assessed the influence of upper body position on muscle forces and aerodynamics during seated sprint cycling. Thirteen competitive cyclists attended two sessions. The first session was used to determine handlebar positions to achieve pre-determined hip flexion angles (70–110° in 10° increments) using dynamic bicycle fitting. In the second session, full body kinematics and pedal forces were recorded throughout 2x6-s seated sprints at the pre-determined handlebar positions, and frontal plane images were used to determine the projected frontal area. Leg work, joint work, muscle forces and frontal area were compared at three upper body positions, being optimum (maximum leg work), optimal+10° and optimal-10° of hip flexion. Larger hip (p = 0.01–0.02) and reduced knee (p = 0.02–0.03) contribution to leg work were observed at the optimal+10° position without changes at the ankle joint (p = 0.39). No differences were observed in peak muscle forces across the three body positions (p = 0.06–0.48). Frontal area was reduced at optimum+10° of hip flexion when compared to optimum (p = 0.02) and optimum-10° (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that large changes in upper body position can influence aerodynamics and alter contributions from the knee and hip joints, without influencing peak muscle forces.     

短跑途中跑支撑阶段支撑腿关节肌肉生物力学特性的研究

采用测力、测角加速度和多机多分辨拍摄技术对短跑途中跑支撑阶段肌肉动力学特征进行关节内力矩的计算与分析。研究表明，运动员踝关节跖屈肌的最大力矩与跑的速度呈显著相关；膝关节的伸肌在接近一半的支撑时间内是做离心收缩，离心收缩肌力矩的峰值要高于向心收缩的肌力矩峰值，离地前20％时刻膝关节屈肌起重要作用；髋关节在支撑阶段存在关节屈伸肌群交替工作，在着地后瞬间有较大的屈肌力矩，在离地前髋关节伸肌起重要作用，支撑阶段下肢关节肌肉快速退让性的离心收缩与主动收缩起同样重要的作用。     

优秀散打运动员下肢关节等速肌力特征研究

运用IsoMed2000型肌力测试系统，选择60°/s和240°/s，对23名优秀男子散打运动员（健将级9名为A组，国家一级14名为B组）支撑腿和进攻腿髋、膝、踝屈伸肌群各项等速肌力指标进行测量。探讨优秀散打运动员支撑腿和进攻腿髋、膝、踝关节等速肌力特征，分析两腿的肌力差异，判断肌力平衡、关节稳定，运动员等级水平对肌力的影响。结果：国家健将级散打运动员双侧下肢髋、膝、踝关节等速肌力及稳定性显著优于国家一级运动员，支撑腿主要体现力的有效传递及稳定性，进攻腿主要体现屈伸肌力大小。     

Evaluating the contribution of lower extremity kinetics to whole body power output during the power snatch

This study evaluated the contribution of lower extremity (hip, knee and ankle) net joint torques (NJT) to whole body power (WBP) output during the power snatch (PS). Ten experienced weightlifters (five males and five females) performed five trials of the PS with 60% of one repetition maximum. Lower extremity NJT and WBP were extracted through a three-dimensional motion analyses and used for data analyses. Pearson correlation coefficients were obtained to observe the relationship between lower extremity NJT and WBP. Multiple-regression (stepwise) analyses was also conducted to evaluate the contribution of lower extremity NJT to WBP during the PS with the hip, knee and ankle NJT being the independent variables. Hip NJT was characterised as a significant positive correlation with WBP (r = 0.47, p < 0.01), while knee NJT showed a significant negative correlation with WBP (r = ?0.34, p < 0.05). A significant inter-correlation was also observed between hip NJT and knee NJT (r = ?0.66, p < 0.01). Hip NJT was identified as a significant contributor to WBP during the PS. Practically, this study suggested that training skills allowing weightlifters to utilise hip extensor muscle action would help to improve WBP during the PS.     

Biomechanical analysis of knee and trunk in badminton players with and without knee pain during backhand diagonal lunges

The contribution of core neuromuscular control to the dynamic stability of badminton players with and without knee pain during backhand lunges has not been investigated. Accordingly, this study compared the kinematics of the lower extremity, the trunk movement, the muscle activation and the balance performance of knee-injured and knee-uninjured badminton players when performing backhand stroke diagonal lunges. Seventeen participants with chronic knee pain (injured group) and 17 healthy participants (control group) randomly performed two diagonal backhand lunges in the forward and backward directions, respectively. This study showed that the injured group had lower frontal and horizontal motions of the knee joint, a smaller hip–shoulder separation angle and a reduced trunk tilt angle. In addition, the injured group exhibited a greater left paraspinal muscle activity, while the control group demonstrated a greater activation of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and medial gastrocnemius muscle groups. Finally, the injured group showed a smaller distance between centre of mass (COM) and centre of pressure, and a lower peak COM velocity when performing the backhand backward lunge tasks. In conclusion, the injured group used reduced knee and trunk motions to complete the backhand lunge tasks. Furthermore, the paraspinal muscles contributed to the lunge performance of the individuals with knee pain, whereas the knee extensors and ankle plantar flexor played a greater role for those without knee pain.     

Analysis of lower limb internal kinetics and electromyography in elite race walking

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse lower limb joint moments, powers and electromyography patterns in elite race walking. Twenty international male and female race walkers performed at their competitive pace in a laboratory setting. The collection of ground reaction forces (1000 Hz) was synchronised with two-dimensional high-speed videography (100 Hz) and electromyography of seven lower limb muscles (1000 Hz). As well as measuring key performance variables such as speed and stride length, normalised joint moments and powers were calculated. The rule in race walking which requires the knee to be extended from initial contact to midstance effectively made the knee redundant during stance with regard to energy generation. Instead, the leg functioned as a rigid lever which affected the role of the hip and ankle joints. The main contributors to energy generation were the hip extensors during late swing and early stance, and the ankle plantarflexors during late stance. The restricted functioning of the knee during stance meant that the importance of the swing leg in contributing to forward momentum was increased. The knee flexors underwent a phase of great energy absorption during the swing phase and this could increase the risk of injury to the hamstring muscles.     

Differences in hamstring activation characteristics between the acceleration and maximum-speed phases of sprinting

This study aimed to investigate activation characteristics of the biceps femoris long head (BFlh) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles during the acceleration and maximum-speed phases of sprinting. Lower-extremity kinematics and electromyographic (EMG) activities of the BFlh and ST muscles were examined during the acceleration sprint and maximum-speed sprint in 13 male sprinters during an overground sprinting. Differences in hamstring activation during each divided phases and in the hip and knee joint angles and torques at each time point of the sprinting gait cycle were determined between two sprints. During the early stance of the acceleration sprint, the hip extension torque was significantly greater than during the maximum-speed sprint, and the relative EMG activation of the BFlh muscle was significantly higher than that of the ST muscle. During the late stance and terminal mid-swing of maximum-speed sprint, the knee was more extended and a higher knee flexion moment was observed compared to the acceleration sprint, and the ST muscle showed higher activation than that of the BFlh. These results indicate that the functional demands of the medial and lateral hamstring muscles differ between two different sprint performances.     

短跑专项力量训练手段训练效应的实证研究——以拖重物跑为例

研究目的：探究拖重物跑训练手段对短跑运动员的身体素质、途中跑阶段的技术特征及下肢环节肌肉力量的影响，深入认识其对短跑途中跑技术和专项力量的作用机制。研究方法：对14名男子二级左右水平短跑运动员进行为期8周每周3次6%~10% BM负荷的拖重物跑训练，采用高速摄像分析法、等动肌力测试法分析运动员身体素质；支撑阶段髋、膝、踝关节运动学参数和下肢各环节肌肉力量实验前后的变化情况。结果：（1）实验后运动员30m、60m、立定跳远、立定三级跳远等身体素质及专项成绩显著提高；（2）步长、重心水平速度显著性提高，两大腿剪绞平均速度提高、单步时间减少；支撑阶段最小膝、踝角显著降低，角速度提高；（3）髋、膝关节伸/屈肌群PT/BW、AP除膝关节60°/sPT/BW值未见统计学意义，其余各角速度下PT/BW、AP均呈显著性差异，踝关节跖屈肌群各角速度下PT/BW值显著提高，跖屈肌群60°/s速度下AP提高，背屈肌群AP略降低。结论：适宜负荷的拖重物跑训练可显著改善短跑运动员运动素质、提高运动成绩；有利于提高髋关节剪绞-制动力量，使膝、踝关节处于低位超等长"屈蹬"状态；提高了髋、膝关节屈伸肌群快速主动收缩能力及踝关节跖屈肌群退让性快速收缩能力。     

我国男子速度滑冰运动员疾跑技术的运动学特征

运用标准的三维摄像DLT法测量和录像解析的方法,以参加2008年全国第11届冬季运动会速度滑冰500m比赛的18名健将级男运动员为研究对象,对其进行500m比赛疾跑前4步下肢蹬冰技术的运动学研究。通过对运动员疾跑阶段步频、步幅和身体姿态髋、膝、踝关节角度及重心高度、着冰角、蹬冰角的变化分析,指出我国男子速度滑冰优秀运动员在疾跑阶段步频差异不显著,步幅、着冰角和蹬冰角的大小对500m比赛的疾跑速度影响较大。     

对短跑新技术理论的综述与分析

短跑途中跑中,髋是人体水平加速的关键环节,支撑腿膝、踝关节的主要作用是坚固的支撑,使髋的动力作用得以实现;摆动腿的折叠前摆(屈髋)和支撑腿的快速后摆(伸髋)在时空上的密切配合,使整个支撑阶段都具有使人体产生水平加速的动力作用,是途中跑的技术关键;以髋腰肌为主的屈髋肌群及股二头肌为主的伸髋肌群,是人体水平加速的主要原动肌;前支撑段是人体水平加速的重要动力阶段.     

Ice hockey skate starts: a comparison of high and low calibre skaters

The forward skating start is a fundamental skill for ice hockey players, yet extremely challenging given the low traction of the ice surface. The technique for maximum skating acceleration of the body is not well understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate kinematic ice hockey skating start movement technique in relation to a skater’s skill level. A 10-camera motion capture system placed on the ice surface recorded “hybrid-V” skate start movement patterns of high and low calibre male ice hockey players (n = 7, 8, respectively). Participants’ lower body kinematics and estimated body centre of mass (CoM) movement during the first four steps were calculated. Both skate groups had similar lower body strength profiles, yet high calibre skaters achieved greater velocity; skating technique differences most likely explained the performance differences between the groups. Unlike over ground sprint start technique, skating starts showed greater concurrent hip abduction, external rotation and extension, presumably for ideal blade-to-ice push-off orientation for propulsion. Initial analysis revealed similar hip, knee and ankle joint gross movement patterns across skaters, however, further scrutiny of the data revealed that high calibre skaters achieved greater vertical CoM acceleration during each step that in turn allowed greater horizontal traction, forward propulsion, lower double-support times and, accordingly, faster starts with higher stride rates.     

Force-Time Characteristics and Running Velocity of Male Sprinters during the Acceleration Phase of Sprinting

Abstract

In an effort to investigate the force-time characteristics during the acceleration phase of the sprint start, eight male sprinters were used as subjects. Runs up to 3 m were analyzed from film, and force-time parameters were measured on a force platform. In a starting stance the reaction time of the group was .118 ± .016 s and the force production lasted .342 ± .022 s. The maximal resultant force at the moment of maximal horizontal force was 19.3 ± 2.2 N x kg¹, and the direction of the force was 32 ± 7°. In the very last instant before leaving the blocks the velocity of the center of gravity was 3.46 ± .32 m x s^?1. In the first contact after leaving the blocks there was a braking phase (.022 ± .005 s in duration) during which the average horizontal force was ?153 ± 67 N. The braking phase was observed despite the body center of gravity being horizontally ahead by .13 ± . 05 m with respect to the first contact point. The percentage of deceleration in running velocity during that phase was 4.8 ± 2.9%. In the propulsion phase the average horizontal force was great (526 ± 75 N), and it was produced for a relatively long time (.171 ± .035 s). Significant correlation coefficients were observed between force production and running velocity. These results suggest that braking/propulsion phases occur immediately after the block phase and that muscle strength strongly affects running velocity in the sprint start.     

Lower extremity power during the squat jump with various barbell loads

The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to determine the barbell load that maximised the system power as well as the ankle, knee, and hip joint powers during the squat jump, and (2) to compare the system powers computed from two different methods: the centre of mass (COM) method and the barbell method. Seven male throwers were recruited in this study. The system power (COM method) and the ankle, knee, and hip joint powers were determined with the load incrementally set at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 90% of one repetition maximum. The largest system power was observed at the load of 30% (p < 0.008) while the largest ankle and knee powers were observed at 70% and 0% (p < 0.05). The barbell method overestimated the system power (p < 0.001) when compared to the COM method. It was concluded that the barbell method could influence load optimisation in squat jump. The optimal barbell load which maximised the system power did not maximise the ankle, knee, or hip power simultaneously.     

现代短跑途中跑关键技术环节之探讨

本文通过文献资料法、专家访谈法、观察法对高水平短跑运动员途中跑过程中摆动技术进行研究,以髋为轴的下肢摆动和上肢以肩关节为轴的摆动入手,得出短跑途中跑关键技术环节,并提出了短跑训练的若干建议。     

不同弹跳能力的3名运动员其原地纵跳的运动生物力学指标的比较

根据力学原理,本文建立了不同运动员间进行原地纵跳运动生物力学指标同步比较的方法。三名不同弹跳能力的运动员其原地纵跳进行了测力与录相同步分析。研究表明,能力强者在技术上表现出髋、膝、踝关节处极强的协调发力能力,而能力差者均出现滞后或超前的不协调性发力;不同能力的运动员在膝关节处发力较为接近,肩关节均是提前发力。但能力强者具有较强的肩关节发力能力,能力最差者则在肩、踝等关节处发力能力明显不足。     

A biomechanical comparison of initial sprint acceleration performance and technique in an elite athlete with cerebral palsy and able-bodied sprinters

Abstract

Cerebral palsy is known to generally limit range of motion and force producing capability during movement. It also limits sprint performance, but the exact mechanisms underpinning this are not well known. One elite male T36 multiple-Paralympic sprint medallist (T36) and 16 well-trained able-bodied (AB) sprinters each performed 5–6 maximal sprints from starting blocks. Whole-body kinematics (250 Hz) in the block phase and first two steps, and synchronised external forces (1,000 Hz) in the first stance phase after block exit were combined to quantify lower limb joint kinetics. Sprint performance (normalised average horizontal external power in the first stance after block exit) was lower in T36 compared to AB. T36 had lower extensor range of motion and peak extensor angular velocity at all lower limb joints in the first stance after block exit. Positive work produced at the knee and hip joints in the first stance was lower in T36 than AB, and the ratio of positive:negative ankle work produced was lower in T36 than AB. These novel results directly demonstrate the manner in which cerebral palsy limits performance in a competition-specific sprint acceleration movement, thereby improving understanding of the factors that may limit performance in elite sprinters with cerebral palsy.     

Contribution of the lower extremity joints to mechanical energy in running vertical jumps and running long jumps

The energy contribution of the lower extremity joints to vertical jumping and long jumping from a standing position has previously been investigated. However, the resultant joint moment contributions to vertical and long jumps performed with a running approach are unknown. metatarsophalangeal joint to these activities has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to determine the mechanical energy contributions of the hip, knee, ankle and metatarsophalangeal joints to running long jumps and running vertical jumps. A sagittal plane analysis was performed on five male university basketball players while performing running vertical jumps and four male long jumpers while performing running long jumps. The resultant joint moment and power patterns at the ankle, knee and hip were similar to those reported in the literature for standing jumps. It appears that the movement pattern of the jumps is not influenced by an increase in horizontal velocity before take-off. The metatarsophalangeal joint was a large energy absorber and generated only a minimal amount of energy at take-off. The ankle joint was the largest energy generator and absorber for both jumps; however, it played a smaller relative role during long jumping as the energy contribution of the hip increased.