The influence of anthropometric parameters in track and field curve sprint

Poor information is available regarding real field data on the different factors that could have an influence on curve sprint and its association with anthropometric and strength parameters.

We designed a crossover pilot-study that enrolled 14 track and field athletes of 200 and 400 m (8/14 men, age: 20.5±2.3 years, height: 1.73±0.06 m; body mass: 60.5±6.2 kg) that performed randomly in two different days assessment of anthropometric parameters, jump test by squat jump (SJ) and triple hop distance (THD), performance during a 20-m curve sprint (day 1), and assessment of 1RM for right and left limb on Bulgarian split squat (BSS) (day 2). The unpaired t test and Pearson's correlation were used for data analysis.

No statistical differences for anthropometric and strength parametric parameters between right and left lower limbs were observed. Twenty-meter curve sprints were negatively associated with body mass (P=0.0059, R=-0.7) and Body Mass Index (BMI; P=0.032, R=0.6). Moreover, a negative association was observed with SJ height (P=0.0025, R=-0.7), speed (P=0.0028; R=-0.7), strength (P=0.009, R=-0.7) and power (P=0.009, R=-0.7). Finally, 20-m curve sprint negatively correlated with right (P=0.0021, R=-0.7) and left (P<0.0001, R=-0.9) THD and 1 RM right (P=0.025, R=-0.6;) and left (P=0.0049, R=-0.7) BSS, respectively.

This pilot study demonstrated that 20-m curve sprint was negatively associated with body mass, BMI, vertical jump performance, THD and 1RM BSS. This information could be useful to coaches and sport scientists as a reference value to improve athlete performance for 200- and 400-m athletes.