24th Annual Student Research Conference
Considerations of Step Length in Relation to Running Speed
Katelyn M. Palazzolo
Dr. Michael Bird, Dr. Jerry Mayhew, and Mr. Timothy Schwegler, Faculty Mentors
Both step rate and step length increase as running and sprinting speeds increase. Recently runners and coaches have focused largely on step rate. The purpose of this study is to compare relative step length (SL/HT) between submaximal running and sprinting. Three hundred eighty-nine Truman HES students performed a 20m dash with a flying start. Hand timing and step counting for the 20m were used to calculate speed and step length. Based on linear regression results, SL/HT was significantly related to running speed in both submaximal and sprint trials (P< .01). However, in submaximal running, 74% of the variance was explained by the relationship, and 16% in sprinting. Perhaps increases in step length are more influential in submaximal running than sprinting.
Keywords: Gait, Sprinting, Biomechanics
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Health Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 9-1
Location: Georgian Room - SUB
Time: 4:30