DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF THE STARTING ACTION AND STARTING ACCELERATION

Abstract

The objective of the analysis has been to establish some most important parameters of the starting action and their correlation with the starting acceleration. The sample of tested subjects comprised 8 male sprinters and 6 female sprinters of the national team of Slovenia. The criterion test was a 30-m sprint from the crouch start. The parameters of the starting action were measured by special electronic starting blocks, and the parameters of the starting acceleration by a system of photocells, placed at spacings of 5-10-15-20-25-30 metres. In the analysis, 16 variables of the starting action and 6 variables of the starting acceleration have been considered. In order to establish the association between the starting action and starting acceleration, the method of correlation analysis at an error probability level of 5% was adopted. The largest differences between male and female sprinters have been established in the magnitude of the horizontal force and the force impulse exerted on the starting blocks, while the smallest differences can be seen in the reaction times. The results of correlation analysis show that the starting acceleration in male sprinters is primarily correlated with the starting reaction time (R= 0.83), the maximal pressure exerted on the front starting block (R= 0.78), and the force gradient on the front starting block (R=0.60). However, in female sprinters, the efficiency of the starting acceleration depends on the latent reaction time (R=0.63), the starting reaction time (R=0.92), the maximal pressure exerted on the rear starting block (R=0.66), and the impulse of the push-off force exerted on the rear starting block (R=0.74). The diagrams of the starting acceleration show that male sprinters perform the push-off from the starting blocks in an eccentric-concentric manner, while female sprinters carry it out in a concentric manner. The results obtained are important for the optimisation of the starting technique and starting speed. At the same time they also enable us better control and planning of the process of technical training of Sprinters.