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Comprehensive mechanical power analysis in sprint running acceleration
Author(s) -
Pavei Gaspare,
Zamparo Paola,
Fujii Norihisa,
Otsu Takuya,
Numazu Naoki,
Minetti Alberto E.,
Monte Andrea
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.13520
Subject(s) - sprint , acceleration , power (physics) , center of mass (relativistic) , inertia , simulation , mathematics , angular acceleration , control theory (sociology) , trajectory , computer science , physics , mechanics , artificial intelligence , classical mechanics , control (management) , software engineering , quantum mechanics , energy–momentum relation , astronomy
Sprint running is a common feature of many sport activities. The ability of an athlete to cover a distance in the shortest time relies on his/her power production. The aim of this study was to provide an exhaustive description of the mechanical determinants of power output in sprint running acceleration and to check whether a predictive equation for internal power designed for steady locomotion is applicable to sprint running acceleration. Eighteen subjects performed two 20 m sprints in a gym. A 35‐camera motion capture system recorded the 3D motion of the body segments and the body center of mass (BCoM) trajectory was computed. The mechanical power to accelerate and rise BCoM (external power, P ext ) and to accelerate the segments with respect to BCoM (internal power, P int ) was calculated. In a 20 m sprint, the power to accelerate the body forward accounts for 50% of total power; P int accounts for 41% and the power to rise BCoM accounts for 9% of total power. All the components of total mechanical power increase linearly with mean sprint velocity. A published equation for P int prediction in steady locomotion has been adapted (the compound factor q accounting for the limbs' inertia decreases as a function of the distance within the sprint, differently from steady locomotion) and is still able to predict experimental P int in a 20 m sprint with a bias of 0.70 ± 0.93 W kg −1 . This equation can be used to include P int also in other methods that estimate external horizontal power only.