A Kinetic Analysis of the Ground Leg During Sprint Running

Abstract

Fifteen highly skilled sprinters were filmed while running at maximum velocity. The results were digitized and computer processed with interest focused on the muscle moments generated about the hip, knee, and ankle of the ground leg. Muscle activity about the hip consisted of extensor (concentric) dominance from foot descent, through foot strike, and into mid-support. Muscle dominance shifted to the hip flexors (eccentric) during mid-support and continued through takeoff. Muscle dominance at the knee demonstrated a pattern of flexor (eccentric, then concentric) dominance from foot descent through foot strike and into mid-support. Knee extensors (eccentric, then concentric) then achieved dominance through takeoff. During the later stages of takeoff, the dominance decreased or reversed briefly to flexor (eccentric) activity prior to a period of minimal activity following the toe-off position. From a period of minimal activity prior and subsequent to ground contact, the plantar flexors (eccentric, then concentric) of the foot were dominant throughout the ground phase. Qualitatively, the unexpected knee flexor dominance during foot strike was generated to limit the braking action created during this portion of ground contact. The unanticipated hip flexor dominance during takeoff served to rotate the upper body forward and into the approaching air phase. In addition, both of these actions allowed efficient use of the two-joint muscles of the leg during the critical phases of ground contact. Finally, the minimizing or reversing of the knee extensor dominance during the later stages of takeoff served to protect the joint from injury. Quantitatively, the magnitude of hip extensor/knee flexor activity during foot strike was significantly related (r = .70, p = .01) to the prior occurrences of related leg injury in the subjects.