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Changes in spring-mass model characteristics during repeated running sprints

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Abstract

This study investigated fatigue-induced changes in spring-mass model characteristics during repeated running sprints. Sixteen active subjects performed 12 × 40 m sprints interspersed with 30 s of passive recovery. Vertical and anterior–posterior ground reaction forces were measured at 5–10 m and 30–35 m and used to determine spring-mass model characteristics. Contact (P < 0.001), flight (P < 0.05) and swing times (P < 0.001) together with braking, push-off and total stride durations (P < 0.001) lengthened across repetitions. Stride frequency (P < 0.001) and push-off forces (P < 0.05) decreased with fatigue, whereas stride length (P = 0.06), braking (P = 0.08) and peak vertical forces (P = 0.17) changes approached significance. Center of mass vertical displacement (P < 0.001) but not leg compression (P > 0.05) increased with time. As a result, vertical stiffness decreased (P < 0.001) from the first to the last repetition, whereas leg stiffness changes across sprint trials were not significant (P > 0.05). Changes in vertical stiffness were correlated (r > 0.7; P < 0.001) with changes in stride frequency. When compared to 5–10 m, most of ground reaction force-related parameters were higher (P < 0.05) at 30–35 m, whereas contact time, stride frequency, vertical and leg stiffness were lower (P < 0.05). Vertical stiffness deteriorates when 40 m run-based sprints are repeated, which alters impact parameters. Maintaining faster stride frequencies through retaining higher vertical stiffness is a prerequisite to improve performance during repeated sprinting.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Aziz Mohammed Farooq, Statistician Epidemiologist, Research and Education Center (ASPETAR) for assistance with statistical analyses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research and Education Centre, ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, PO Box 29222, Doha, Qatar

    Olivier Girard

  2. M2H, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France

    Jean-Paul Micallef

  3. ISSUL, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Grégoire P. Millet

Authors
  1. Olivier Girard
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  2. Jean-Paul Micallef
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  3. Grégoire P. Millet
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Olivier Girard.

Additional information

Communicated by Jean-René Lacour.

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Girard, O., Micallef, JP. & Millet, G.P. Changes in spring-mass model characteristics during repeated running sprints. Eur J Appl Physiol 111, 125–134 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1638-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1638-9

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