LOWER EXTREMITY KINEMATICS DURING HIGH SPEED TREADMILL SPRINTING OVER A RANGE OF VELOCITIES

Abstract

A kinematic analysis of selected variables was completed during high speed treadmill sprinting over a range of velocities. Six power/speed athletes experienced at sprinting on a treadmill performed trials at 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 95% of their previous individual maximum velocity, with video data collected in the sagittal plane at 60 Hz. The results indicated that there were significant differences among the variables studied, particularly at slower velocities. Peak hip extension and peak knee flexion showed no differences across test conditions. As the treadmill velocity approached a maximum, mechanical breakdown was seen in a decreased maximum hip flexion angle and peak hip flexion angular velocity, suggesting that velocities greater than 90% velocity should be used selectively during treadmill training.