AbstractsBiology & Animal Science

Sprinting kinematics of athletes with selected physical disabilities

by Barry S. Andrews




Institution: Stellenbosch University
Department: Sport Science
Year: 2014
Keywords: Sport science; Kinematics; Sprinting  – Physiological aspects; Athletes with disabilities; UCTD
Record ID: 1468959
Full text PDF: http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/86436


Abstract

Thesis (PhD(Sport Sc)) – Stellenbosch University, 2014. ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this research was to gain insight into the sprinting of athletes with selected physical disabilities. The sprint performances of four Paralympic athletes (T43, T13, T37 and T38 classifications) were analysed in terms of variability in the biomechanics of their set position and in the kinematics of the initial acceleration phase and the maximal acceleration phase of their 100m sprints. The athletes also reported their perceptions about the potential of a rhythm training programme to influence their sprinting. A case study approach was used. Sprint kinematics were video-recorded four times over the training year. DartFish ProSuite software supported the digital tagging of anatomical landmarks and the calculation of the biomechanical features of the set position as well as the kinematics of each athlete. A subjective log was used to gather their perceptions about the rhythm training programme. There was variability in all aspects for all four Paralympic athletes. This should encourage coaches to help athletes find optimal kinematics in relation to their disability, rather than trying to coach them to a set template of an ideal form. Based on the kinematic data collected over all four test sessions, it appears that a coaching focus on stride length was the key to faster sprinting for this T43 (amputee) athlete. A coaching focus on stride frequency (once optimal stride length had been discovered) was the key for the T13 sprinter (visually impaired), and a coaching focus on stride frequency was the key to faster sprinting for both the T37 and T38 athletes (cerebral palsy). Although all of the athletes enjoyed the rhythm training programme, only the least experienced athlete (T38) reported that he would like to continue with this form of training. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om insig rakende die naellooptegnieke van atlete met geselekteerde fisiese gestremdhede te verky. Die naellooptegnieke van vier Paralimpiese atlete (T43, T13, T37 en T38 klassifikasies) is ontleed. Die ontleding is gedoen met betrekking tot die veranderlikheid in biomeganika tydens hul gereedheidsposisies in die wegspringblokke asook in die kinematika van die aanvanklike versnellingsfase en die maksimale versnellingsfase gedurende hul 100m naelloopitems. Die atlete het ook hul persepsies rakende ’n ritmiese oefenprogram wat potensieël hul naellope kon beïnvloed gerapporteer. ’n Gevallestudiebenadering is gebruik. Beeldmateriaal van naelloopkinematika is vier keer gedurende die oefenjaar vasgelê. “DartFish ProSuite” sagteware het die digitale kodering van anatomiese punte ondersteun asook die berekening van biomeganiese eienskappe gedurende die gereedheidsposisie en die kinematika van elke atlete gefasiliteer. Daar is op ’n subjektiewe basis boekgehou van die atlete se persepsies rakende die ritmiese oefenprogram. Daar was wisselvalligheid in alle aspekte met betrekking tot al vier Paralimpiese…