Optimisation of performance © by IAAF

22:2; 7-16, 2007

through kinematic analysis of the

different phases of the 100 metres
By Krzysztof Mackala
´

The aim of this study was to Krzysztof Mackala,

´ Ph.D., current-
investigate the variability of ly works a Lecturer in the Depart-

AUTHOR
stride length and stride frequency ment of Track and Field at the
between athletes of different per- University School of Physical
formance levels in the 100m and Education in Wroclaw, Poland. He
then verify the influence of these has been a sprints and hurdles
kinematic parameters on the coach for more than 15 years and
phases of the race and technical has worked with athletes in
efficiency. Data from a group of 8 Poland, Canada and at University
average male sprinters (mean of Montana in the USA.
ABSTRACT

performance 11.18) and the men’s

100m finalists in 1991 IAAF World
Championships in Athletics were
compared. Based on statistical
analysis of the kinematic param-
eters, the author identifies differ-
ent phase structures for the races
of the two groups. The results
suggest that stride length con-
tributes much more to the veloci-
ty curve of the 100m than stride
frequency, which can no longer be Introduction
considered the most important
performance-determining factor he importance of stride length and
in either average- or high- level
performers. T stride frequency to the velocity curve
of the 100 metres is well document-
ed in the sport science literature (MURASE et
al., 1976; VOLKOV and LAPIN, 1979; MANN
AND HERMAN, 1985; BRÜGGEMANN and
SUSANKA, 1988; MORAVEC et al., 1988;
BRÜGGEMANN and GLAD, 1990; GAJER et al.,
New Studies in Athletics • no. 2/2007

1999; FERRO et al., 2001). However, it is not

clear how these kinematic parameters affect
the different phases of a sprint race. Little is
known about how sprinters manipulate their
stride patterns during the phases of accelera-
tion, maximum velocity, and deceleration to
reach optimal efficiency. Moreover, there is
7
 Optimisation of performance through kinematic analysis

Figure 1: Example of velocity curve (instantaneous speed) based on time measurement (0.02 sec intervals) for an aver-
´
age sprinter (10.78) (MACKALA, 2004)

the question as to whether the phase struc- observe the changes in velocity and estimate
ture of the 100 metres is the same for ath- the proportionate effects of stride length
letes of different levels of performance. and stride frequency by measuring both vari-
ables and computing their influence using
This is an important theme for research as appropriate statistics.
information in this area will promote the
understanding of the biomechanics of sprint- Methods
ing and provide a basis for developing train-
ing protocols that are specifically designed Eight male sprinters (average values: age =
for individual athletes. 21.3 years, height = 179.9cm, weight =
74kg, 100m performance = 11.18 with best
The purpose of this study was to determine result = 10.78sec) make up Group A. From
the relevance of the variability of the main their performance level, these sprinters can
kinematic parameters between athletes of be considered national- or average-level
different performance levels in the 100 performers.
metres and then verify their influence on the
phases of the race and technical efficiency. The data for the analysis of Group A were
obtained from recordings of eight individual
Data obtained for a group of “average” time trials made with 10 video cameras
New Studies in Athletics • no. 2/2007

sprinters was collected and compared with (operating at 50 frames/sec). The cameras
published data for elite sprinters to under- were synchronised with the starter’s gun. The
stand the relationships between stride cameras were placed perpendicular to the
length and frequency, and then running running direction on special tripods at 10m
velocity, and to determine the phase structure intervals along the track. Markers were
for each group. To draw conclusions and placed at each 10m section to allow interval
make recommendations it was necessary to times to be calculated by counting the
8
 Optimisation of performance through kinematic analysis

Table1: Mean of selected parameters for 10m sections of the finalists in the men’s 100 metres at the 1991 IAAF World
Championships in Athletics (Data from AE, ITO and SUZUKI, 1992)

Place Name Variables 10m 20m 30m 40m 50m 60m 70m 80m 90m 100m
1 Lewis Stride Frequency 3.83 4.81 4.45 4.41 4.66 4.86 4.76 4.45 4.34 4.53
(USA)
Stride length 1.39 1.92 2.44 2.55 2.56 2.42 2.50 2.71 2.65 2.57
Time 1.88 2.96 3.88 4.77 5.61 6.46 7.30 8.13 9.00 9.86
Velocity 5.31 9.26 10.87 11.24 11.90 11.76 11.90 12.05 11.49 11.63

2 Burrell Stride Frequency 3.59 4.81 4.61 4.43 4.41 4.50 4.57 4.50 4.34 4.23
(USA)
Stride length 1.52 1.96 2.38 2.57 2.61 2.58 2.52 2.64 2.59 2.71
Time 1.83 2.89 3.80 4.68 5.55 6.41 7.28 8.12 9.01 9.88
Velocity 5.46 9.43 10.99 11.36 11.49 11.63 11.49 11.90 11.24 11.49

3 Mitchell Stride Frequency 4.28 4.96 4.61 4.70 4.92 4.94 4.74 4.60 4.67 4.61
(USA)
Stride length 1.30 1.88 2.33 2.42 2.34 2.33 2.46 2.53 2.43 2.44
Time 1.80 2.87 3.80 4.68 5.55 6.42 7.28 8.14 9.04 9.92
Velocity 5.56 9.35 10.75 11.36 11.49 11.49 11.63 11.63 11.36 11.24

4 Christie Stride Frequency 3.89 4.95 4.65 4.48 4.54 4.72 4.84 4.75 4.44 4.20
(GBR) Stride length 1.39 1.91 2.34 2.51 2.59 2.46 2.40 2.48 2.50 2.71
Time 1.85 2.91 3.83 4.72 5.57 6.43 7.29 8.14 9.04 9.92
Velocity 5.41 9.43 10.87 11.24 11.76 11.63 11.63 11.76 11.11 11.36

5 Fredericks Stride Frequency 4.31 4.36 4.61 4.59 4.91 5.02 4.96 4.80 4.66 4.37
(NAM) Stride length 1.25 1.94 2.36 2.39 2.34 2.29 2.35 2.45 2.41 250
Time 1.86 2.92 3.84 4.73 5.60 6.47 7.33 8.18 9.07 9.95
Velocity 5.38 9.43 10.87 11.24 11.49 11.49 11.63 11.76 11.24 11.36

6 Steward Stride Frequency 3.37 5.02 4.85 4.79 4.90 4.97 4.83 4.55 4.58 4.73
(JAM) Stride length 1.43 1.86 2.27 2.35 2.38 2.31 2.35 2.52 2.43 2.35
Time 1.81 2.88 3.79 4.68 5.54 6.41 7.29 8.16 9.06 9.96
Velocity 5.52 9.35 10.99 11.24 11.63 11.49 11.36 11.49 11.11 11.11

7 da Silva Stride Frequency 3.96 4.91 4.49 4.27 4.36 4.61 4.73 4.69 4.36 4.16
(BRA) Stride length 1.32 1.92 2.40 2.63 2.60 2.44 2.35 2.45 2.55 2.57
Time 1.91 2.97 3.90 4.79 5.67 6.56 7.5 8.32 9.22 10.12
New Studies in Athletics • no. 2/2007

Velocity 5.24 9.43 10.75 11.24 11.36 11.24 11.24 11.49 11.11 11.11

8 Surin Stride Frequency 3.98 4.32 4.52 4.49 4.67 4.75 4.54 4.23 4.21 4.27
(CAN) Stride length 1.34 1.94 2.41 2.48 2.41 2.34 2.50 2.72 2.61 2.55
Time 1.88 2.95 3.87 4.77 5.66 6.56 7.44 8.31 9.22 10.14
Velocity 5.31 9.20 10.87 11.11 11.24 11.11 11.36 11.49 10.99 10.87

9
 Optimisation of performance through kinematic analysis

frames in the video. For each athlete, the Athens (BRÜGGEMANN, KOSZEWSKI and
number of strides was counted and length of MÜLLER, 1999). The instantaneous running
each stride measured in order to calculate velocity of the sprinters was calculated from
the average stride length and stride frequen- the video by measuring the displacement of
cy for each section. The methodology was the centre of mass for each 0.02sec (see Fig-
similar (less three cameras) to that applied ure 1). Kinematics analysis was performed
during finals of the 100 metres at the 1997 using the SIMI Motion Biomechanical Com-
IAAF World Championships in Athletics in puter Program.

Table 2: Comparison of the mean values for selected parameters of 10m sections and phase breakdown in the 100 metres
´
for average sprinters (Group A) (MACKALA, 2004)

Group A (n=8)
Phase Distance Average Total Average X Stride X Stride X
[m] Time velocity length frequency
[s] [m/s] [cm] [Hz]
1 0-10 1.850 2.927 5.41 7.35 147.8 179.6 3.670 4.035
10-20 1.077 9.29 211.4 4.400
2 20-30 1.067 2.112 9.38 9.48 219.2 219.0 4.244 4.309
30-40 1.045 9.58 218.9 4.374
3 40-50 1.037 2.074 9.65 9.65 223.5 225.0 4.321 4.293
50-60 1.037 9.66 226.5 4.266
4 60-70 1.052 2.107 9.51 9.50 224.9 224.3 4.242 4.244
70-80 1.055 9.49 223.8 4.246
5 80-90 1.067 2.142 9.38 9.36 224.8 227.0 4.177 4.123
90-100 1.075 9.34 232.6 4.070

Table 3: Comparison of the mean values for selected parameters of 10m sections and phase breakdown in the 100 metres
for elite sprinters (Group B) (data from AE, ITO and SUZUKI, 1992)

Group B (n=8)
Phase Distance Average Total Average X Stride X Stride X
[m] Time velocity length frequency
[s] [m/s] [cm] [Hz]
1 0-10 1.82 2.89 5.39 7.38 137.0 164.0 3.85 4.31
10-20 1.07 9.38 192.0 4.77
2 20-30 0.92 1.81 10.87 11.06 237.0 243.0 4.60 4.56
30-40 0.89 11.25 249.0 4.52
New Studies in Athletics • no. 2/2007

3 40-50 0.866 0.87 11.55 11.55 248.0 248.0 4.67 4.67

4 50-60 0.871 0.87 11.48 11.48 240.0 240.0 4.80 4.80
5 60-70 0.867 8.87 11.53 11.53 243.0 243.0 4.75 4.75
6 70-80 0.85 0.85 11.70 11.70 256.0 256.0 4.57 4.57
7 80-90 0.89 1.78 11.21 11.22 252.0 253.5 4.44 4.421
90-100 0.887 11.24 255.0 4.40
10
 Optimisation of performance through kinematic analysis

Group B comprised the eight finalists in In both groups, the rate of the increase in
the men’s 100 metres at the 1991 IAAF stride frequency was fairly constant over the
World Championships in Athletics in Tokyo. 20m (slightly greater in first 10m, slightly
From their performance level, these sprint- less in second 10m). This finding confirms
ers are clearly international or elite-level KORCHEMNY (1985) and ATWATER (1982),
performers. The raw data for the race (see where stride frequency was on average
Table 1) was obtained from AE, ITO and 4.20Hz over the first three strides and then
SUZUKI (1992) and then processed by the increased to 4.48HZ at the end of 40m
author. (increase of 0.28Hz). In the present study,
the Group A sprinters reached a stride rate
Results and discussion equal 4.08Hz in the first three strides.

The results of the study show that differ- In general terms, no differences were
ences in the temporal development of stride found between dynamics of the acceleration
length and stride frequency are evident for in the two groups in the first two 10m sec-
the sprinters in both groups. The two tions and for both the stride frequency was
parameters are characterised in most cases the main kinematic variable that had an
by high variability over the course of the impact on the increase of running velocity.
race. This can be seen particularly well when For both groups this 20m could be called the
the distance is divided into 10m sections “Initial Acceleration” Phase.
and analysed. Analysis of the changes in
these parameters and comparison to the Over the two 10m sections between 20
running velocity also reveals that the phase and 40m, acceleration continued; the mean
structure for the 100 metres is more com- velocity for Group A was 2.13m/s-1 (29%)
plex than the standard three-phase model greater than the first 20m while group B’s
of acceleration, maximum velocity and mean velocity increased by 3.68m/s -1
deceleration (DICK, 1987; RADFORD, 1990; (49 %). In contrast with the first 20m, the
GAJER, 1999; BRÜGGEMANN and SUSANKA, acceleration here was the result of a
1988) and differs between sprinters distinct increase in stride length, which for
depending on the performance level. Table Group A was as much as 48.2% (compared
2 shows the relevant data and a five-phase to the increase in mean stride frequency of
structure for Group A and Table 3 shows the 6.8%). Overall, Group A increased its stride
same data and a seven-phase structure for length more than 90% from 117cm (aver-
Group B. age of first step) to 229cm (average of last
step at 40m) (author’s data). By end of this
Acceleration phases phase, the mean stride length for Group B
In the first 20m of the race, both groups reached a value of 249cm, (48%) of the
showed a dynamic increase in running maximum average value achieved in the
velocity (up to 9.29m/s for Group A and race. Similar results have been found previ-
9.38m/s for Group B) that was the result of ously: in RADFORD’s 1990 study, stride
intensive increases to both stride length and length increased by over 100% by 45m of
stride frequency. In the second 10m, the the race (from 109cm to 244cm). The sig-
mean velocity of Group A increased about nificant change to the stride length in this
70% or 3.88m/s-1 over the first 10m, the phase is apparently due to the increased
New Studies in Athletics • no. 2/2007

stride frequency increased about 20% to overall velocity, which enables the sprinter
4.40 strides per second (Hz) and the stride to cover more space during the air-borne
length increased about 43% to reach a phases of the strides (SCHMOLINSKY,
value of 211.4cm. In this section, the mean 1993).
velocity of Group B increased 3.99m/s-1
(74%) and the stride length increased 40% For both groups, the different dynamics of
to 192cm. the kinematic parameters in the 20-40m
11
 Optimisation of performance through kinematic analysis

segment warrant its distinction from the segment is a third phase of the race, differ-
first phase and it could be called the ent from the third phase we see in Group A,
“Extended Acceleration” Phase. and can be called the “Initial Peak Velocity”
Phase.
Mid-race phases – Group A
The differences in the dynamics of the The changes to the development of the
kinematic parameters between the two kinematic variables in the 50-60m segment
groups for the segments between 40m and for Group B warrant the identification of a
80m are significant enough that two differ- fourth phase. Here, the stride rate contin-
ent phase structures can be identified. ued to increase by 2.8% over the previous
phase to 4.8Hz (the highest 10m average in
For Group A, the two 10m sections the race) but the stride length decreased
between 40m and 60m are when the peak about 3.2%. By 60m, the velocity had
velocity was obtained and thus can be called dropped marginally (0.07m/s-1 or 0.6%). In
the “Maximum Velocity” Phase. This phase is the next 10m segment the kinematic devel-
crucial to the final time. In this part of the opment was the opposite. Here, the stride
race, the running velocity increased but at a length increased 1.2% and stride frequency
slower rate (increase 1.7%) compared to the dropped 1.1% with the effect that the
previous phase. This increase was mainly due velocity increases 0.05m/s-1 back up to
to a 2.7% increase in stride length, as stride 11.53m/s-1, more or less the same as it was
frequency remained almost constant at the end of the 40-50m segment. In
(increase 0.004Hz). other words, we can see that there are two
phases in which there are significant (and
The two 10m sections between 60 and opposite) changes to the kinematic vari-
80m might also be considered to be part of ables and small variations in the velocity at
the Maximum Velocity Phase for this group. different moments but essentially no
However, there was, in fact, a slight change to the average velocity. Therefore,
decrease in average velocity of 0.15m/s-1 for the elite sprinters we can identify two
(1.5%) from the previous 10m to an end phases that can be called “Velocity Regu-
phase velocity of 9.50m/s -1, caused by lating I” (50-60m) and Velocity Regulating
decreases in stride length and stride fre- II” (60-70m).
quency of 0.3% and 0.15% respectively. In
other words, in this phase the sprinters are After the velocity regulating phases, the
not at their maximum velocity but are hold- Group B sprinters reached their “Maximum
ing quite close to it. To distinguish the two Velocity” Phase between 70m and 80m”,
phases this 20m can be called the “Velocity where a top value of 11.70m/s -1 was
Maintenance” Phase. achieved. The average velocity for this seg-
ment was 1.5% greater than the previous
Mid-race phases – Group B phase. Note that when these sprinters
For Group B it was found that accelera- reached their initial velocity peak between
tion continued even more strongly in the 40m and 50m it was the result of increases
40-50m segment than for Group A. Both in both stride length and stride frequency
the stride length and stride frequency whereas here we see the stride frequency
increased (2% and 2.41% respectively) has decreased to 4.57Hz (compared to
New Studies in Athletics • no. 2/2007

compared to the previous phase and a peak 4.67Hz in the 40-50m segment and even
velocity of 11.55m/s-1 was reached. Howev- higher in the velocity regulating phases
er, this was not the maximum velocity for where the maximum values were achieved)
the race. Moreover, the maximum values for while the stride length has increased signif-
both stride length and stride frequency icantly (13cm or 5.3% over the previous
were achieved at later points in the race. phase) to the maximum mean value for the
Therefore, in the elite sprinters this 10m race.
12
 Optimisation of performance through kinematic analysis

distance [m]

Figure 2: Comparison of the velocity curves of average sprinters (Group A) and elite sprinters (Group B) by 10m inter-
val over the course of the 100 metres

Table 4: Differentials of interval time, stride length and stride frequency for average sprinters (Group A) during select-
´
ed phases of the 100 metres (MACKALA, ´
2004; MACKALA and KOWALSKI, 2005)

Descriptive statistic Group A (distance in m)

0-20 20-40 40-60 60-80 90 100

Value of change in velocity (m/s) 7.35 (+) 2.13 (+) 0.16 (-) 0.15 (-) 0.12 (-) 0.04
Share of change in velocity (%) - (+) 29 (+) 2.0 (-) 1.5 (-) 1.5 (-) 0.43
Value of change in stride length (cm) 179.6 (+) 39.4 (+) 6.0 (-) 0.7 (+) 0.5 (+) 4.4
Share of change in stride length (%) - (+) 21.9 (+) 2.7 (-) 0.3 (+) 0.2 (+) 1.95
Value of change in stride frequency (Hz) 4.035 (+)0.274 (-) 0.016 (-) 0.049 (-) 0.067 (-) 0.11
Share of change in stride frequency (%) - (+) 6.8 (-) 0.37 (-) 0.15 (-) 0.6 (-) 2.6

(+) increase, (-) decrease, * time measured from camera

Table 5: Differentials of interval time, stride length and stride frequency for elite sprinters (Group B) during selected
phases of the 100 metres (calculated by the author using data from AE, ITO and SUZUKI, 1992)

Descriptive statistic Group B (distance in m)

0-20 20-40 40-50 50-60 60-70 70-80 80-100

Value of change in velocity (m/s) 9.38 (+)3.68 (+)0.49 (-)0.07 (+)0.05 (+)0.17 (-)0.48
Share of change in velocity (%) - (+) 18 (+) 4.4 (-) 0.6 (+) 0.4 (+) 1.5 (-) 4.1
New Studies in Athletics • no. 2/2007

Value of change in stride length (cm) 164 (+) 79 (+) 5 (-) 8 (+) 3 (+) 13 (-)2.5
Share of change in stride length (%) - (+)48.1 (+) 2 (-) 3.2 (+) 1.2 (+) 5.3 (-)0.98
Value of change in stride frequency (Hz) 4.31 (+)0.25 (+)0.11 (+)0.13 (-) 0.5 (-)0.18 (-)0.15
Share of change in stride frequency (%) - (+) 5.8 (+)2.41 (+) 2.8 (-) 1.1 (-) 3.8 (-) 3.3

(+) increase, (-) decrease

13
 Optimisation of performance through kinematic analysis

Deceleration also similarities to the kinematic dynamics of

the Velocity Maintenance Phase (Phase 4) in
As stated above, between 60m and 80m the the Group A sprinters.
sprinters from Group A slowed from their
maximum velocity due to slight decreases in Running velocity is the product of stride
both stride frequency and stride length. This length and stride frequency (v = l x f). Accord-
trend continued in the last two 10m sections, ingly, an increase in mean velocity (v) and,
which can be called the “Deceleration” Phase: thereby, a decrease the running time (t) for a
at 90m, the velocity had dropped about 1.3% given distance, can only result from changes
(0.12m/s-1) and in the last 10m it continued to to these two parameters: an increase of stride
decrease by 0.43% (0.04m/s-1). In contrast to length (with a decrease of number of strides
the previous phase, the slowing in this part of and their frequency) or inversely a decrease of
the race was mainly the result of a significant stride length (with an increase in stride rate.
decrease in stride frequency as the mean On the basis of this general definition of the
stride length actually showed an increase in running speed, BALLEREICH (1976), five logi-
value. cal possibilities exist for improving perform-
ance in the sprint events:
Group B also slowed in the last 20m of the
race. There was a significant decrease in the 1. V+ V = (L + L) • f where (f ~ constant)
mean velocity of about 0.48m/s-1 (4% com- 2. V+ V = L • (f + f) where (L ~ constant)
pared with the 70-80m section). This was due 3. V+ V = (L + L) • (f + f)
to a significant 3.3% decrease in stride fre- 4. V+ V = (L + L) • (f - f);
quency and a 1% decrease in stride length. [(L + L) • (f - f) > L• f]
However, if we focus on the last 10m of the 5. V+ V = (L - L) • (f + f);
race we see that the velocity was slightly [(L - L) • (f + f) > L• f]
higher (11.24 m/s-1) and the stride length
increased slightly over the 80-90m section. The data in Table 6 illustrates that velocity
While this can be called the “Deceleration” increased in 8 of the 13 analysed phases (in 1,
Phase, it should be pointed out that there are 2, 3 for Group A and in 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 for Group

Table 6: Comparison of the velocity curve for selected phases of the 100 metres due to individual changes of stride length
and stride rate

Phase Distance Group A Group B Distance Phase

[m] [m]
1 0-10 V + V = (L + L) - (f + f) V + V = (L + L) - (f + f) 0-10 1
10-20 10-20
2 20-30 V + V = (L + L) - (f + f) V + V = (L + L) - (f + f) 20-30 2
30-40 30-40
3 40-50 V + V = (L + L) - (f - f) V + V = (L + L) - (f + f) 40-50 3
50-60
4 60-70 V - V = (L - L) - (f - f) V - V = (L - L) - (f + f) 50-60 4
70-80
New Studies in Athletics • no. 2/2007

5 80-90 V - V = (L + L) - (f - f) V + V = (L + L) - (f - f) 60-70 5
90-100 V - V = (L - L) - (f - f)
V + V = (L + L) - (f - f) 70-80 6

V - V = (L - L) - (f - f) 80-90 7
90-100
14
 Optimisation of performance through kinematic analysis

B). This is 61.5% of the total number of inves- Phase 3 Initial Peak Velocity (40-50 m)
tigated phases. In the majority of the phases Phase 4 Velocity Regulation I (50-60m)
(62.5 % of all cases) the running velocity Phase 5 Velocity Regulation II (60-70m)
increased due to increases of both kinematic Phase 6 Maximum Velocity (70-80m)
parameters V + V = (L + L) - (f + f). In Phase 7 Deceleration (80-100m)
three cases, increased stride length signifi-
cantly dominates over increase stride fre- Data from the study demonstrates that
quency as the cause of the increased velocity, stride length contributes much more to the
however, in two cases these were inversely velocity curve of the 100 metres than stride
related. In three cases, the increase in running frequency. It seems that stride frequency can
velocity took place with an increase of one no longer be considered the most important
variable and a drop of the second (twice the performance-determining factor in the
increased stride length was dominant and 100 metres in either average- or high- level
once the increased stride rate was dominant). performers.

A decrease in running velocity took place in Furthermore, this study found that exces-
five phases (three in Group A and two in Group sive acceleration with excessively high
B). Additionally, two investigated phases stride frequency in the first 10m of the ini-
showed only an increase of stride length V - tial acceleration phase (over 90% of its
V = (L + L) - (f- f) and in two cases, the maximum), had a negative impact on the
increase in stride rate was dominant over an optimal relationship with stride length. This
increase in stride length. In one phase, a also affected the overall development of
decrease in velocity was due to a drop of both velocity to a certain degree (Phase 4 in elite
parameters. This took place in Phase 4 for the sprinters and Phases 4 and 5 in average
average sprinters and Phase 7 for elite sprinters. sprinters). This statement is confirmed by
earlier studies (GAJER et al., 1999; SHEN,
Conclusion 2000). This problem is much more evident in
average sprinters (Group A). According to
According to this investigation, the velocity the relative analysis, this study indicates
curve of the 100 metres illustrates that that to improve performance it is necessary
changes in velocity over the course of the race to control the stride frequency and increase
must be analysed via the change of velocity in the stride length while accelerating in the
each phase (section). The course of the veloc- first 10-20m section of the race.
ity curve (increase or decrease of velocity) is
very important for training applications, prac- Recommendation
tical understanding of running form, evalua-
tion of the technique of a single stride, opti- The length of the stride, particularly main-
mal diagnosis of sprinting ability and develop- tenance of its optimal length for the longest
ing effective race strategies. Achieving the possible distance, is the key element for
most effective velocity curve depends on the technical efficiency and performance
optimal dynamics of the various phases due to optimisation in the 100 metres. The increase
changes of the main kinematic parameters: in stride length must be directly proportion-
stride length and stride frequency. Conse- al with the decrease of stride frequency,
quently, this set of variables can be used as a especially at the beginning of the race – the
New Studies in Athletics • no. 2/2007

tool for identification of the phases in the race initial acceleration phase.
structure of the 100m for elite sprinters:

Phase 1 Initial Acceleration (0-20m)

Phase 2 Extended Acceleration (20-40m), Please send all correspondence to:
often called second acceleration Dr Krzysztof Mackala
´
phase [email protected]
15
 Optimisation of performance through kinematic analysis

REFERENCES
AE, M.; ITO, A.; SUZUKI, M. (1992): The men’s ´
MACKALA, K. (2004): Variability of kinematics
100 meters. Scientific Research Project at the parameters in the 100 meter dash. Doctor-
III World Championship in Athletics, Tokyo ate dissertation. AWF Wroclaw – University
1991. New Studies in Athletics 7, 47–52. School of Physical Education, Wroclaw,
Poland.
ATWATER, A.E. (1982): Kinematic analyses of
sprinting. Track and Field Quarterly Review, ´
MACKALA, K.; KOWALSKI, P. (2005): Faza biegu
82, 12–16. jako wyznacznik skutecznej techniki w
biegu sprinterskim. Problemy badawcze w
BALLREICH, R. (1976): Model for estimating the lekkoatletyce, 53-59.
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