21st Annual Student Research Conference
Kinematic Gait Characteristics in Hard Surface and Sand Surface During Maximum Sprint
Farren C. Wise
Dr. Michael Bird, Faculty Mentor
This study's objective was to determine the kinematic gait differences between hard surface and sand sprints. Physically active college men (n=3) and women (n=12) performed individual 30-meter sprints on each surface. The hard surface trials were obtained on a tartan floor. The sand trials were performed on a sand volleyball court. Each sprint was videotaped using a Panasonic digital video camera (60 Hz and 1/250th second high speed shutter) and processed using Peak Motus software. A dependent t-test was used to determine significance (α <0.05). Running speed, step length, stride rate, and trunk angle at take off significantly decreased on the sand surface (p<0.05). The lone variable that significantly increased from hard surface to sand surface was knee flexion during the swing phase. Caution should be used when training on soft surfaces as the changes in gait mechanics may affect the muscles and joints differently than hard surface training.
Keywords: gait mechanics, sprints, training
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 7-8
Location: OP Lobby
Time: 4:15