Alterations to the orientation of the ground reaction force vector affect sprint acceleration performance in team sports athletes |
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| Authors: | Neil E Bezodis Jamie S North Jane L Razavet |
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| Institution: | 1. Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea, UK;2. School of Sport, Health and Applied Science, St Mary’s University, Twickenham, UK;3. School of Sport, Health and Applied Science, St Mary’s University, Twickenham, UK |
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| Abstract: | A more horizontally oriented ground reaction force vector is related to higher levels of sprint acceleration performance across a range of athletes. However, the effects of acute experimental alterations to the force vector orientation within athletes are unknown. Fifteen male team sports athletes completed maximal effort 10-m accelerations in three conditions following different verbal instructions intended to manipulate the force vector orientation. Ground reaction forces (GRFs) were collected from the step nearest 5-m and stance leg kinematics at touchdown were also analysed to understand specific kinematic features of touchdown technique which may influence the consequent force vector orientation. Magnitude-based inferences were used to compare findings between conditions. There was a likely more horizontally oriented ground reaction force vector and a likely lower peak vertical force in the control condition compared with the experimental conditions. 10-m sprint time was very likely quickest in the control condition which confirmed the importance of force vector orientation for acceleration performance on a within-athlete basis. The stance leg kinematics revealed that a more horizontally oriented force vector during stance was preceded at touchdown by a likely more dorsiflexed ankle, a likely more flexed knee, and a possibly or likely greater hip extension velocity. |
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| Keywords: | Attentional focus biomechanics ratio of forces sprinting technique |
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