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Sprint Acceleration Mechanics in Masters Athletes
Patricia D Pantoja1, Eduardo Saez DE Villarreal, Jeanick Brisswalter
11Exercise Research Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Physical Therapy and Dance, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, BRAZIL; 2Faculty of Sport Sciences, University Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, SPAIN; and 3Laboratory of Human Motricity, Education Sport and Health, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, FRANCE.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|July 15, 2016
Summary
Masters sprinters experience a decline in sprint performance due to reduced muscular force, velocity, and power. This study investigated the mechanical outputs during sprinting acceleration in older athletes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Sprint performance peaks between ages 20-30.
- Age-related decline in performance is observed even in trained athletes.
- Previous research linked decline to reduced muscular capabilities, but not specifically in sprinting.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate mechanical outputs during sprint acceleration in masters sprinters.
- Understand the mechanical factors contributing to age-related sprint performance decrease.
- Compare masters sprinters' mechanical outputs to elite young sprinters.
Main Methods:
- Study conducted during an international masters athletics competition.
- Measured horizontal ground reaction force, velocity, and power during a 30-m sprint acceleration.
- Analyzed running velocity-time data in 27 male sprinters aged 39-96 years.
Main Results:
- Maximal force, velocity, and power outputs decreased linearly with age (~1% per year).
- The oldest sprinters' maximal power was significantly lower than elite young sprinters.
- Maximal effectiveness of horizontal force application also decreased with age.
Conclusions:
- Masters sprinters exhibit reduced neuromuscular force, velocity, and power.
- Lower effectiveness of force application, particularly early in the sprint, contributes to age-related decline.
- Findings highlight specific mechanical underpinnings of reduced sprint performance in older athletes.
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