IMPACT OF FOREFOOT CUSHIONING STIFFNESS ON BLOCK START PERFORMANCE IN SPRINTING

Authors

Yannick Denis, Institute for Advanced Biomechanics and Motion Studies, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, Offenburg, GermanyFollow
Hannah Knoke, Institute for Advanced Biomechanics and Motion Studies, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, Offenburg, GermanyFollow
Mario Kanjuh, Institute for Advanced Biomechanics and Motion Studies, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, Offenburg, GermanyFollow
Luca Braun, Institute for Advanced Biomechanics and Motion Studies, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, Offenburg, GermanyFollow
Markus Hipper, Institute for Advanced Biomechanics and Motion Studies, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, Offenburg, GermanyFollow
Bastian Anedda, Institute for Advanced Biomechanics and Motion Studies, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, Offenburg, GermanyFollow
Janina Helwig, Institute for Advanced Biomechanics and Motion Studies, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, Offenburg, GermanyFollow
Steffen Willwacher, Institute for Advanced Biomechanics and Motion Studies, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, Offenburg, GermanyFollow

Category

Athletics

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the impact of different forefoot cushioning properties in “advanced spiked footwear” on sprinting performance during the block start. Kinetic parameters were collected for twenty-three competitive sprinters during a block sprint start in two advanced spike conditions with only a difference in forefoot cushioning stiffness. An instrumented start block was used to measure the ground reaction forces applied in the front and rear leg. The stiffer shoe condition showed significantly better performance for most parameters, suggesting a softer midsole in forefoot cushioning is not related to better block start performance. This study has demonstrated that differences in midsole materials can alter sprinting block performance and should be considered when analysing advanced spikes features, especially across different shoe brands and their cushioning technologies.

Recommended Citation

Denis, Yannick; Knoke, Hannah; Kanjuh, Mario; Braun, Luca; Hipper, Markus; Anedda, Bastian; Helwig, Janina; and Willwacher, Steffen (2024) "IMPACT OF FOREFOOT CUSHIONING STIFFNESS ON BLOCK START PERFORMANCE IN SPRINTING," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 42: Iss. 1, Article 100.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol42/iss1/100