Effects of the Flying Start on Estimated Short Sprint Profiles Using Timing Gates

Short sprints are predominantly assessed using timing gates and analyzed through parameters of the mono-exponential equation, including estimated maximal sprinting speed (MSS) and relative acceleration (TAU), derived maximum acceleration (MAC), and relative propulsive maximal power (PMAX), further referred to as the No Correction model. However, the frequently recommended flying start technique introduces a bias during parameter estimation. To correct this, two additional models (Estimated TC and Estimated FD) were proposed. To estimate model precision and sensitivity to detect the change, 31 basketball players executed multiple 30 m sprints. Athlete performance was simultaneously measured by a laser gun and timing gates positioned at 5, 10, 20, and 30 m. Short sprint parameters were estimated using a laser gun, representing the criterion measure, and five different timing gate models, representing the practical measures. Only the MSS parameter demonstrated a high agreement between the laser gun and timing gate models, using the percent mean absolute difference (%MAD) estimator (%MAD < 10%). The MSS parameter also showed the highest sensitivity, using the minimum detectable change estimator (%MDC95), with an estimated %MDC95 < 17%. Interestingly, sensitivity was the highest for the No Correction model (%MDC95 < 7%). All other parameters and models demonstrated an unsatisfying level of sensitivity. Thus, sports practitioners should be cautious when using timing gates to estimate maximum acceleration indices and changes in their respective levels.

Bias in estimated short sprint profiles using timing gates due to the flying start: simulation study and proposed solutions

Short sprints are most frequently evaluated and modeled using timing gates. Flying start distance is often recommended to avoid premature timing system triggering by lifting knees or swinging arms. This results in timing system initiation not being aligned with the initial force application, which yields bias in estimated short sprint parameters. This simulation study aims to explore the effects of the flying start distance on bias and sensitivity to detect changes in short sprint parameters using three models: the contemporary No Correction model and two proposed Estimated time correction (Estimated TC), and Estimated flying distance (Estimated FD) models. In conclusion, both the Estimated TC and Estimated FD models provided more precise parameter estimates, but surprisingly, the No correction model provided higher sensitivity for specific parameter changes. Besides standardizing the sprint starting technique for the short sprint performance monitoring, practitioners are recommended to utilize and track the results of all three models.

Treadmill and Running Speed Effects on Acceleration Impacts: Curved Non-Motorized Treadmill vs. Conventional Motorized Treadmill

An increase in the popularity of running can be seen over the last decades, with a large number of injuries on it. Most of the running injuries are related to impact accelerations and are due to overuse. In order to reduce the risk of injury or to improve performance and health new treadmill designs have been created, as it can be the curved non-motorized treadmill. The aim of this study was to analyse impact accelerations, spatio-temporal parameters and perceptual differences while running on curved non-motorized treadmill (cNMT) compared to motorized treadmill (MT) at different speeds. Therefore, 27 recreational runners completed two tests consisting of 10 min warm-up and three bouts of 8 min running at 2.77 m/s, 3.33 m/s and self-selected speed on cNMT and MT, previously randomised. Although the surface did not influence spatio-temporal parameters, a reduction in impact accelerations, head acceleration rate (mean effect size [ES] = 0.86), tibia peak (mean ES = 0.45) and tibia magnitude (mean ES = 0.55), was observed while running on cNMT in comparison with running on MT. Moreover, higher heart rate (HR) (mean ES = 0.51) and rating of perceived effort (RPE) (mean ES = 0.34) were found while running on cNMT. These findings demonstrated that higher intensity training and lower impact accelerations are experimented on cNMT, what can be used by trainers and athletes while planning training sessions.

Application of Wind Tunnel Device for Evaluation of Biokinetic Parameters of Running

The aim of the study was the application of high-tech wind tunnel device to identify the changes in the biokinetic parameters of running performed on the specially designed treadmill. The research was carried out in the “Planica Nordic Centre—PNC” in the wind tunnel system, where the AirRunner Assault treadmill, which was equipped with four sensors measuring the vertical and horizontal ground reaction forces, was installed. To obtain biokinetic data, the runners performed the treadmill’s run under conditions of airflow directed at each participant’s back (backwind speeds +3 m/s and +5 m/s) and the chest (headwind speeds −5 m/s and −7 m/s). The runner’s speed was measured via image analysis using a DSLR camera and markers on the belt of the treadmill. Additionally, a high-speed camera synchronised to the force acquisition system was used to analyse the contact phase via comparison of foot placement and time series of the ground reaction forces. The contact phases of the running step were found to be longer than the flight phases, with their duration ranging from 0.15 to 0.20 s and the maximum forces at take-off were found to be greater than when running with the backwind. It should be noted that the application of high-tech devices wind tunnel and treadmill were found to be sufficiently accurate to perform kinetic measurements of running parameters in changing conditions, such as resistance and assistance (facilitating).

Reliability and Validity of a New Portable Tethered Sprint Running Test as a Measure of Maximal Anaerobic Performance

Limmer, M, Berkholz, A, de Marées, M, and Platen, P. Reliability and validity of a new portable tethered sprint running test as a measure of maximal anaerobic performance. J Strength Cond Res 34(8): 2197-2204, 2020-The purposes of this study were to develop a new portable tethered sprint running (PTSR) test for field-based anaerobic performance testing with restricted spatial conditions and the logistical challenge of carrying test equipment, and to determine reliability of the PTSR test. For validity, performance measures were compared with the cycle ergometer Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) power outputs. Twelve recreationally active men and women (24.3 ± 1.6 years; 1.77 ± 0.07 m; 73.3 ± 12.5 kg) performed one familiarization trial followed by 3 randomly assigned experimental 60-second all-out effort trials consisting of one WAnT and 2 PTSR tests. All trials were performed in a randomized order on different days separated by at least 48 hours. Heart rate (HR) and maximum blood lactate concentration were recorded for each experimental trial to determine the physiological responses to the maximal efforts. Correlation coefficients indicated significant relationships between mean force (MF) and peak force (PF) in the PTSR test and mean power (MP) (r = 0.651, p = 0.022) and peak power (PP) (r = 0.877, p = 0.002) in the WAnT, but not for the fatigue index (r = 0.280, p = 0.379). In addition, both PTSR trials showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) between trials and a high reliability for the performance variables MF (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.98, coefficient of variation [%CV] = 7.7), PF (ICC = 0.98, %CV = 8.4), and HR (ICC = 0.92, %CV = 3.1). In conclusion, our results suggest that despite insufficient stimulation of anaerobic metabolism in some subjects resulting from poor implementation of test instructions, the PTSR is a reliable and valid test for an easy and practical assessment of maximal anaerobic performance under different field conditions.

Sprint Training on a Treadmill vs. Overground Results in Modality-Specific Impact on Sprint Performance but Similar Positive Improvement in Body Composition in Young Adults

Dorgo, S, Perales, JJ, Boyle, JB, Hausselle, J, and Montalvo, S. Sprint training on a treadmill vs. overground results in modality-specific impact on sprint performance but similar positive improvement in body composition in young adults. J Strength Cond Res 34(2): 463-472, 2020-The effects of different sprint training modalities on body composition are not yet known, and the effectiveness of using motorized treadmills for sprint training is yet to be assessed accurately. The following study investigated the effects of motorized treadmill and overground training on sprint performance and body composition. Sixty-four young adults (33 men and 31 women) completed 12 sprint training sessions over a 6-week period either on a treadmill (TM) or overground (TR), or followed their normal exercise routine (CONTROL). Fifty-yard sprint time, 20-yard maximal sprint speed split time, and maximal treadmill speed were used as sprint performance indicators. Body composition and sprint performance assessments were completed before and after the 6-week intervention. On completion of the 6-week training program, maximal treadmill speed significantly increased for all 3 groups, while split sprint time significantly decreased for the TR group. The CONTROL group's 50-yd sprint time and split sprint time significantly worsened after 6 weeks. Improvements in sprint time and speed were significantly greater for the TR and TM groups compared with the CONTROL group for 50-yd sprint time, 20-yard maximal sprint speed split time, and maximal treadmill sprint speed. The change in maximal treadmill sprint speed for the TM group was significantly greater than that of the TR group. TR and TM subjects also showed significant decrease in total body fat and increase in leg lean muscle mass. These findings indicate that although overground sprint training resulted in the greatest performance improvements within overground sprint tests, sprint training on a motorized treadmill may be a beneficial alternative modality to overground sprint training and may also positively impact subjects' body composition.

Five-Kilometer Time Trial Reliability of a Nonmotorized Treadmill and Comparison of Physiological and Perceptual Responses vs. a Motorized Treadmill

Waldman, HS, Heatherly, AJ, Waddell, AF, Krings, BM, and O'Neal, EK. Five-kilometer time trial reliability of a nonmotorized treadmill and comparison of physiological and perceptual responses vs. a motorized treadmill. J Strength Cond Res 32(5): 1455-1461, 2018-This study examined the reliability of running performance across 3 nonmotorized treadmill (NMT) 5-km time trials (TTs) and physiological, gait, and perceptual differences at a 5-km pace for both NMT and motorized treadmills (MTs). Ten male runners experienced in road racing who had never run on an NMT completed 3 TT to establish personal best 5-km pace. In a later session, participants ran at this pace for 5 minutes on the NMT while metabolic, gait, and perceptual measures were recorded and then ran at outdoor 5-km personal best pace on an MT at 1% grade (counter-balanced crossover design). Intraclass correlation (ICC = 0.95) between the TT1 and TT2 was strong but improved between TT2 and TT3 (ICC = 0.99) with considerable reduction in variability. Nonmotorized treadmill resulted in a 24% slower pace (10.6 ± 1.5 vs. 13.9 ± 2.6 km·h; p < 0.001), shorter stride length (1.02 ± 0.10 vs. 1.27 ± 0.18 m; p < 0.001), and decreased cadence (175 ± 12 vs. 181 ± 13 steps per·minute; p = 0.01). However, V[Combining Dot Above]O2, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), lactate concentration, and heart rate did not differ between modalities (NMT = 3.4 ± 0.4 L·min, 0.96 ± 0.04, 6.9 ± 3.7 mmol, 172 ± 10 b·min; MT = 3.4 ± 0.5 L·min, 0.96 ± 0.04, 5.7 ± 3.4 mmol, 170 ± 10 b·min). rate of perceived exertion (RPE) for legs, breathing, and overall did not differ between treadmill types. A familiarization session should be included for TT using NMT. Other than gait and pace characteristics similar responses were elicited by both treadmills when running at 5-km pace. However, with these considerations, NMT TT of 4-km might be more appropriate in matching MT 5-km TT duration without altering physiological responses significantly.

Metabolic and kinematic responses while walking and running on a motorised and a curved non-motorised treadmill

The purpose of this study was to assess metabolic and kinematic parameters (contact and flight time, step length and frequency) while walking at the preferred speed (1.44 ± 0.22 m · s^-1) and while performing an incremental running test (up to exhaustion) on a motorised treadmill (MT) and on a curved non-motorised treadmill (CNMT). Twenty-five volunteers (24.1 ± 3.4 years; 64.7 ± 11.2 kg) participated in the study. Maximal running speed on MT was significantly larger (P < 0.001) than on CNMT (4.31 ± 0.50 vs. 3.75 ± 0.39 m · s^-1) but no differences in heart rate or oxygen uptake (V˙O2) were observed at this speed. The energy cost of walking (C_w) and running (C_r) were significantly greater (P < 0.001) on CNMT than on MT (37 and 17%, respectively). No major differences in kinematic parameters were observed at paired, submaximal, running speeds (2.22-3.89 m · s^-1) but V˙O2 was systematically larger in CNMT (of about 340 ml · min^-1 · kg^-1). This systematic difference can be expressed in terms of a larger "equivalent speed" on CNMT (of about 0.42 m · s^-1) and should be attributed to factors other than the kinematic ones, such as the belt characteristics (e.g. friction, type of surface and curvature).

Greater loss of horizontal force after a repeated-sprint test in footballers with a previous hamstring injury

OBJECTIVES

To quantify changes in running kinetics and kinematics during a repeated-sprint test in football players, and explore the sensitivity and specificity with which these variables can identify previous hamstring injury.

DESIGN

20 Western Australia State League footballers with previous unilateral hamstring injury and 20 players without completed a 10×6-s repeated-sprint test on a non-motorised treadmill dynamometer.

METHODS

Changes in horizontal force, vertical force, contact time and flight time were compared between previously injured and uninjured legs of participants.

RESULTS

Mean horizontal force production of the previously injured leg in the injured group was 13% lower (p=0.001), and this magnitude of change was used to identify the injured legs within the cohort with 77% specificity and 85% sensitivity. Furthermore, the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristics curve (0.846) demonstrated that the between-leg difference in mean horizontal force was a good instrument for identifying previous hamstring injury.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a greater fatigued-induced change in mean horizontal force during a repeated-sprint test in legs with previous hamstring injury than the non-injured legs of the injured players or the legs of uninjured players. Such asymmetry may contribute to impaired performance in football players returning from hamstring injury and also to the high rate of hamstring re-injury. Rehabilitation and return-to-play strategies should emphasise a reduction in asymmetry, particularly during repeated high-intensity efforts. Furthermore, binary regression and Receiver Operating Characteristic analyses suggest that changes in mean horizontal force could be used to assess risk of hamstring injury, re-injury and/or return to play.

Non-motorized Treadmill Running Is Associated with Higher Cardiometabolic Demands Compared with Overground and Motorized Treadmill Running

The aim of this study was to compare the cardiometabolic demands of running on a curved non-motorized treadmill (cNMT) with overground (OVR) and motorized treadmill (MOT) running. Fourteen trained male (n = 7) and female (n = 7) runners (V·O2peak 56.6 ± 4.0 mL.kg⁻¹.min⁻¹) participated in the study. Each experimental session consisted of 5 × 6-min bouts of running at progressively higher speeds, separated by 6-min rest (females 9–15 km.h⁻¹; males 10.5–16.5 km.h⁻¹). Oxygen consumption (V·O2) and heart rate (HR) during the last 2 min of each bout were measured using a portable metabolic cart. Running at a set speed on the cNMT required a higher percentage of V·O2peak than OVR (mean ± 90% CI, 22 ± 6%; ES ± 90% CI, 1.87 ± 0.15) and MOT (16 ± 6%; ES 1.50 ± 0.15) running. Similarly, HR during the cNMT was higher compared to OVR (25 ± 9 beats.min⁻¹, ES 1.23 ± 0.14) and MOT (22 ± 9 beats.min⁻¹, ES 1.35 ± 0.13) trials. The decline in running economy observed during the cNMT trial was negatively related to body mass (R² 0.493, P = 0.01), indicating lighter runners were required to work at a higher relative intensity to overcome treadmill belt resistance. These data demonstrate the higher cardiometabolic demand associated with running at a given speed on the cNMT. It is critical these differences are taken into account when prescribing training intensities on the cNMT or translating data from the laboratory to an athletic setting.

Relationship between anaerobic capacity estimated using a single effort and 30-s tethered running outcomes

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relationship between alternative anaerobic capacity method (MAOD_ALT) and a 30-s all-out tethered running test. Fourteen male recreational endurance runners underwent a graded exercise test, a supramaximal exhaustive effort and a 30-s all-out test on different days, interspaced by 48h. After verification of data normality (Shapiro-Wilk test), the Pearson’s correlation test was used to verify the association between the anaerobic estimates from the MAOD_ALT and the 30-s all-out tethered running outputs. Absolute MAOD_ALT was correlated with mean power (r = 0.58; P = 0.03), total work (r = 0.57; P = 0.03), and mean force (r = 0.79; P = 0.001). In addition, energy from the glycolytic pathway (E_[La^-_]) was correlated with mean power (r = 0.58; P = 0.03). Significant correlations were also found at each 5s interval between absolute MAOD_ALT and force values (r between 0.75 and 0.84), and between force values and E_[La^-_] (r between 0.73 to 0.80). In conclusion, the associations between absolute MAOD_ALT and the mechanical outputs from the 30-s all-out tethered running test evidenced the importance of the anaerobic capacity for maintaining force during the course of time in short efforts.

Increased physiologic intensity during walking and running on a non-motorized, curved treadmill

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether exercise performed on a non-motorized, curved treadmill (NMCT) provides greater physiologic stimulus compared to a standard motorized treadmill (SMT).

STUDY DESIGN

Crossover.

SETTING

Clinical research laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

10 healthy athletic adults.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Participants walked (1.34 m s(-1)) for 3 min and ran (2.24 m s(-1)) for 4 min on NMCT and SMT (randomized order) while metabolic data and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected. Participants then identified preferred easy and moderate intensity training paces on each treadmill while blinded to speed. Repeated-measures ANOVA and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests were used to compare responses between treadmills.

RESULTS

Intensity was significantly greater (P < 0.001) for NMCT than SMT [mean (95% confidence interval): Walking = 5.9(5.3,6.4) vs. 3.4(3.0,3.7) METs; Running = 10.7(9,6,11.7) vs. 7.3(6.8,7.8) METs]. Overall RPE was significantly greater (P < 0.01) on NMCT than SMT for walking [median (inter-quartile range): 7(1) vs. 6(0.8)] and running [11.5(3) vs. 8(2.5)]. Preferred speed was significantly slower on NMCT than SMT for easy [2.5(2.3,2.7) vs. 2.8(2.5,3.1) m s(-1)] and moderate [3.2(3.0,3.4) vs. 3.5(3.1,3.9) m s(-1)] intensities.

CONCLUSIONS

NMCT elicits greater physiological stimulus than SMT with small, though statistically significant, changes in RPE at matched speeds. Clinicians must be aware of differences in intensity and RPE when prescribing exercise on NMCT.