Biomechanical Analysis of Resisted Sprinting

In the last article titled Effects of Sled Towing on Sprint Starts, the results are suggesting 20% weight on sleds instead of 10%.

This research paper was written by Robert Dattero, Tom Wu, and Ellyn Robinson from the Sport Science Innovation Program, Department of Movement Arts, Health Promotion,  and Leisure Studies, Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, MA USA

This has been accepted to will be presented at this year’s World Congress of Biomechanics in July 2014.

Biomechanical Analysis of Resisted Sprinting

by Robert Dattero, Tom Wu, and Ellyn Robinson

INTRODUCTION

Strength and conditioning coaches have a strong interest in helping athletes to improve their speed, agility, strength, and power. Part of speed and conditioning work involves the use of resisted sprinting. The coaches need to know the implications of using methods of incorporating a resistance during speed training. Lockie et al. (2003) has determined that more than 10% of body weight as added resistance can cause changes in hip kinematics during a sprint; however, the effects of using an anterior load on lower limb kinematics were still unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the lower limb kinematics using sled push, weighted vest run, and un-resisted sprint.

SUMMARY

The study concludes that hip flexion is increased when pushing a sled compared to the weighted vest and un-resisted sprint. It is suggested that greater hip muscular strength is needed in the sled pushing method to maintain velocity and acceleration. Strength and conditioning professionals may apply this finding to their speed training program to make an informed decision. Future research is warranted to examine the effects of different mass loads on lower body joint kinematics and kinetics.

Click here for that paper.