Identification Of Trail Leg Recovery Acceleration Curve Profiles For Use In Matching Track And Field Athletes To Events

William E. Johnson

Volume : IV, Issue : IX, September - 2015

Identification Of Trail Leg Recovery Acceleration Curve Profiles For Use In Matching Track And Field Athletes To Events

William E. Johnson

Abstract :

For many years, coaches and trainers have been looking for athletes that fit the mold of the typical sprint somatotype. Unfortunately the majority of the studies have focused on the “Max Velocity” phase of the sprint, leaving the start (drive and transition phases) relatively uninvestigated. The purpose this study was to identify trail leg recovery acceleration profiles (a key determinant of stride frequency) for use in matching track and field athletes to events. Collegiate track and field athletes with high levels of experience performed a series of trail leg recoveries at two different pelvic tilt angles while we� an accelerometer. A series of four model acceleration curves were identified and associated with event characteristics and levels of performance: QAHP – Quick Explosive Acceleration with High Peak Force; QAMP – Quick Acceleration with Moderate Peak Force; LAMP – Low Acceleration with Moderate Peak Force; and LALP – Low Acceleration with Low Peak Force.