Effects of approach step strategy on kinematics of sprint hurdling

The aim of this thesis was to investigate the effects of first hurdle step strategy on sprint hurdle performance in the senior men’s 110 metre hurdles event. A series of kinematic analyses were undertaken, using high-performance domestic sprint hurdlers, and with data collected from previously recorded footage of elite athletes competing in the final of the previous ten World Athletics Championships. Comparisons were made between athletes with seven-step approach and eight-step approach strategies. The studies found that mean block spacing was 0.08 m further apart, block contact time 0.06 s longer, first step 0.25 m longer and first ground contact 0.03 s longer for seven-step athletes compared with eight-step athletes. There was also a greater vertical displacement of the centre of mass (CoM) (0.04 m) for the seven-step athletes. The front hip mean angular acceleration was 197°/s2 slower for the seven-step athletes than the eight-step athletes. Additionally, seven-step athletes reduced the length of the final step before hurdle take-off by 0.14 m compared with the previous step, whereas the eight-step athletes extended their final step by 0.17 m. Take-off distance was 0.20 m further from the hurdle and touchdown was 0.42 m closer to the hurdle for seven-step athletes. There was no difference between groups for mean horizontal velocity at the moment of block exit (0.14 m/s), throughout the hurdle clearance (0.02 m/s) or the approach time to the first hurdle from the block clearance (0.01 s). This body of research makes a considerable contribution to academic knowledge, has relevant practical implications pertaining to performance for coaches and athletes, and provides the basis for a wealth of future research within this specific aspect of the sprint hurdles race performance. There was no identified difference between the absolute race performance of seven- and eight-step athletes.