Effects of shank mass manipulation on sprinting techniques. Issue 2 (7th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Cui; Yu, Bing; Yang, Chen; Yu, Jiabin; Sun, Yuliang; Wang, Donghai; Yin, Keyi; Zhuang, Wei; Liu, Yu
• Is Part Of: Sports biomechanics. Volume 21:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 142
• Page End: 154
• Publication Date: 2022-02-07
• Subjects: Resistance training -- lower extremity -- effect of sprinting speed -- strength -- maximal speed sprinting; Biomechanics -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Human mechanics -- Periodicals; 617.1027
• DOI: 10.1080/14763141.2019.1646796
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-3141

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of shank mass manipulation on the sprinting technique in maximal-speed sprinting. Sixteen well-trained male athletes sprinted with and without an additional 15% of shank mass attached to the shank centre of mass. Kinematic data were collected using a 12-camera motion analysis system and analysed using linear regression analyses with categorical variables and paired t-tests. The sprinting speed ( p < 0.01), knee flexion angle at landing ( p = 0.028), and maximum hip flexion angular velocity ( p = 0.029) decreased; contact time ( p < 0.01) increased; and step length, step frequency, and other analysed technique measures of maximal-speed sprinting were unchanged ( p ≥ 0.12) with shank mass manipulation, compare with no manipulation. The relationships of sprinting speed with critical linear and angular kinematics at landing, take-off and swing in maximal-speed sprinting were not affected by the shank mass manipulation. These results suggest that 15% shank mass manipulation does not change the sprinting technique of well-trained male athletes in maximal-speed sprinting. This supports the use of shank mass manipulation as a training method for well-trained sprinters; however, a change in correlations between sprinting speed and technique measures should be considered during such training.