Comparison of Stride Length and Stride Frequency Patterns of Sprint Performance in Overground vs Motorized Treadmill Sprinting
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between different kinematic parameters when maximal effort sprints are performed overground and on a motorized treadmill by recreationally trained and collegiate level sprinters. To accomplish the goals of this study, we measured stride length, stride frequency, contact time, and flight time overground and on a motorized treadmill to determine what differences or similarities can be identified. Anthropometric measurements such as the height, body weight, lower limb length, and lower limb circumference were also recorded. Subjects’ performance of a 60 meter sprint (50 meter acceleration, 10 meter maximal velocity) was measured overground, as well as a sprint test was performed on the motorized treadmill at maximal speed (3-4 seconds). Our results showed that contact time, flight time and stride frequency were strong predictors of sprint speed overground for all subjects; while all parameters were seen as predictors for sprint speed in motorized treadmill condition. However, these result differed when analysis was done based on grouping. In conclusion, the current results show that motorized treadmill increases stride frequency dramatically when compared to overground, which could result in the motorized treadmill being used as a training tool to enhance stride frequency. However, the optimal ratio used to achieve sprint speed was altered on the motorized treadmill when compared to overground running. Therefore, while there may benefits to using such an instrument to enhance speed, it is unclear how much improvement is transferred to overground condition, which warrants more research.
Subject Area
Kinesiology
Recommended Citation
Gonzales, Fayon Kamieka, "Comparison of Stride Length and Stride Frequency Patterns of Sprint Performance in Overground vs Motorized Treadmill Sprinting" (2018). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAI13424351.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAI13424351