Prediction of sprint active women performance using vertical and leg stiffness

Authors

Abstract
Introduction: The ability to attain high level of speed is an essential component of success in many sports fields. However, physical qualities that underpin this ability remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of leg stiffness and vertical stiffness in predicting sprint running. Methods: 50 healthy females were selected among physical education students. The required kinetic and kinetic data were collected in three dimensions. The kinetic and kinematic variables rrunning skill was used to measure both stiffness variables. A multivariate regression model was used to examine the possibility of predicting running speed using leg stiffness and vertical stiffness. Findings: The results of multiple regression showed that there is a significant relationship between the two-leg stiffness and vertical stiffness with mean running speed (R = 0.671), and these two variables can predict 42% of Average speed variation (Adj. R square=0.426). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the ability of individuals to sprint running is likely to be significantly dependent on leg stiffness and vertical stiffness. The results of this study can provide important information for designing training programs and talent detection for trainers and specialists in this field.

Keywords


1. Cunningham, D.J., West, D.J., Owen, N.J., Shearer, D.A., Finn, C.V., Bracken, R.M., Crewther, B.T., Scott, P., Cook, C.J., Kilduff, L.P. (2013). Strength and power predictors of sprinting performance in professional rugby players. Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness. 53: 105–111
2. Miller, R.H., Umberger, B.R., Caldwell, G.E. (2012). Limitations to maximum sprinting speed imposed by muscle mechanical properties. Journal of Biomechanics. 45(6):1092-1097.
3. Clark, K.P., Weyand, P.G. (2014). Are running speeds maximized with simple-spring stance mechanics? Journal of Applied Physiology. 117(6):604-15.
4. Rumpf, MC., Cronin, J.B., Oliver, J.L., Hughes, M.G. (2013). Vertical and leg stiffness and stretch-shortening cycle changes across maturation during maximal sprint running. Human Movement Science. 32(4):668-76.
5. Hennessy, L., Kilty, J. (2001). Relationship of the stretch-shortening cycle to sprint performance in trained female athletes. Strength and Conditioning Research. 15(3):326-31.
6. Butler, R.J., Crowell, H.P., Davis, I.M. (2003). Lower extremity stiffness: implications for performance and injury. Clinical Biomechanics. 18(6):511-7.
7. Serpell, B.G., Ball, N.B., Scarvell, J.M., Smith, P.N. (2012). A review of models of vertical, leg, and knee stiffness in adults for running, jumping or hopping tasks. Sports Sciences. 30(13):1347-63.
8. Durand, S., Ripamonti, M., Beaune, B., Rahmani, A. (2010). Leg ability factors in tennis players. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 31(12):882-6.
9. Hobara, H., Inoue, K., Gomi, K., Sakamoto, M., Muraoka, T., Iso, S., & Kanosue, K. (2010). Continuous change in spring-mass characteristics during a 400 m sprint. Science and Medicine in Sport. 13(2), 256-261.
10. Brughelli, M., Cronin, J. (2008). Influence of running velocity on vertical, leg and joint stiffness. Journal of Sports Medicine. 38(8):647-57.
11. Chelly, S.M., Denis, C. (2001). Leg power and hopping stiffness: relationship with sprint running performance. Medicine & Science in Sports. 33(2):326-33.
12. Mero, A., Komi, P.V. (1986). Force-, EMG-, and elasticity-velocity relationships at submaximal, maximal and supramaximal running speeds in sprinters. European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology. 55(5):553-61.
13. Derrick, T.R., Caldwell, G.E., Hamill, J. (2000). Modeling the stiffness characteristics of the human body while running with various stride lengths. Journal of Applied Biomechanics. 16(1):36-51.
14. Pruyn, E.C., Watsford, M., Murphy, A. (2014). The relationship between lower-body stiffness and dynamic performance. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 39(10):1144-50.
15. Bret, C., Rahmani, A., Dufour, A., Messonnier, L., Lacour, J. (2002). Leg strength and stiffness as ability factors in 100 m sprint running. Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness. 42(3):274.
16. Morin. J.B., Jeannin, T., Chevallier, B., Belli, A. (2006). Spring-mass model characteristics during sprint running: correlation with performance and fatigue-induced changes. International Journal of Sports Medicine .27(02):158-65.
17. Hobara, H., Kimura, K., Omuro, K., Gomi, K., Muraoka, T., Sakamoto, M., & Kanosue, K. (2010). Differences in lower extremity stiffness between endurance-trained athletes and untrained subjects. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 13(1), 106-111.‌
18. Beerse, M., Wu, J. (2017). Comparison of whole-body vertical stiffness and leg stiffness during single-leg hopping in place in children and adults. Journal of Biomechanics. 56: 71-5.
19. Millett, E. L. (2016). Influence of athletic training on functional lower-extremity stiffness .Doctoral thesis, Australian Catholic University.
20. Lin, C. F., Chen, C.Y., & Lin, C. W. (2011). Dynamic ankle واپایش in athletes with ankle instability during sports maneuvers. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 39(9), 2007-2015.
21. Lorimer, A. V. (2014). Evaluating stiffness of the lower limb ‘springs’ as a multifactorial measure of Achilles tendon injury risk in triathletes. Doctoral thesis, Auckland University of Technology.
22. Thomson, A. (2014). The relationship between musculoskeletal stiffness and lower limb injury in athletes: A systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 48(7), 665-665.
23. Milner, C. E., Ferber, R., Pollard, C. D., Hamill, J., & Davis, I. S. (2006). Biomechanical factors associated with tibial stress fracture in female runners. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 38(2), 323
24. Zeni, J. A., & Higginson, J. S. (2009). Dynamic knee joint stiffness in subjects with a progressive increase in severity of knee osteoarthritis. Clinical Biomechanics. 24(4), 366-371.
25. Coleman, D.R., Cannavan, D., Horne, S., Blazevich, A.J. (2012). Leg stiffness in human running: Comparison of estimates derived from previously published models to direct kinematic–kinetic measures. Journal of Biomechanics. 45(11):1987-91.
26. Heller, B. W., & Haake, S. J. (2006). Pacing lights—a new approach to controlling speed in the gait laboratory. In The Engineering of Sport. 6, 63-67.
27. Hamill, J. Moses, M., Seay, J. (2009). Lower extremity joint stiffness in runners with low back pain. Research in Sports Medicine. 17(4), 260-273
28. Rumpf, M. C., Cronin, J. B., Oliver, J. L., & Hughes, M. (2011). Assessing youth sprint ability–Methodological issues, reliability and performance data. Pediatric exercise Science. 23(4), 442-467.‌
29. Pruyn, E.C., Watsford, M., Murphy, A. (2014). The relationship between lower-body stiffness and dynamic performance. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 39(10):1144-50.
30. Farley, C.T, Gonzalez, O. (1996). Leg stiffness and stride frequency in human running. Journal of Biomechanics. 29(2):181-6.
31. Morin, J.B., Samozino, P., Zameziati, K., Belli, A. (2007). Effects of altered stride frequency and contact time on leg-spring behavior in human running. Journal of Biomechanics. 40(15):3341-8.
32. Hobara, H. (2008). Spring-like leg behavior and stiffness regulation in human movements. Doctoral Dissertation, Waseda University, Japan.
33. Arce, S.O. (2016). A comparison of postural performance and kinematics between collegiate sprinters and non-sprinters: California State University, Sacramento.