Effect of four different step detection thresholds on nonmotorized treadmill sprint measurement

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 4 different step detection thresholds (10, 15, 20, and 30% body mass [BM]) on the kinetics and kinematics of a youth population sprinting on a Woodway nonmotorized treadmill (NMT). A total of 16 male youth athletes sprinted 30 m from a split start position. Of the 15 variables measured, significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were found in the measurement of 5 kinematic (step length, vertical displacement, contact time, eccentric, and concentric time) and 2 kinetic (vertical and leg stiffness) variables between the 10 vs. 20 and 30% BM step detection thresholds. Contact time was also significantly different (12%) between 15 vs. 30% BM step detection thresholds. In terms of reliability, the 15 and 30% BM step detection thresholds were found the most stable across all variables (average coefficient of variation ∼6.0%). Given this information, a step detection threshold of 15% BM is recommended for quantifying kinematic and kinetic variables on a NMT, as this threshold seems to account for signal variability appropriately without compromising reliability.