A comparison of postural performance and kinematics between collegiate sprinters and non-sprinters

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the postural differences and kinematics between sprinters and non-sprinters. It was hypothesized that sprinters differed from non-sprinter in a forefoot and flat-foot conditions in static balance and in center of mass (CoM) displacement during a 40m sprint. 16 male collegiate (community college) sprinters and 18 male non-sprinters (kinesiology students) were used. The subjects were tested using center of pressure (CoP) for the static test. A force platform (Wii Balance Board) was used to obtain CoP data in the form of CoP length in the mediolateral (M/L) direction. Three 30 second trials were obtained for each static condition. The subjects were also tested measuring CoM displacement (mid-point of the foot and CoM in the M/L direction). One trial of a 40-meter sprint was recorded (Casio; 120 Hz). Statistical testing included Independent t-test to determine the differences between sprinters and non-sprinters with alpha set to α=.05. It was hypothesized the sprinters would exhibit greater postural control than non-sprinters. In the forefoot and flatfoot stance in the M/L direction, sprinters exhibited significantly better postural control, flatfoot (p = .009), forefoot (p = .015). In CoM displacement during the 40m sprint, sprinters exhibited greater postural control (p = .000). In conclusion, findings confirm our hypothesis that sprinters will exhibit greater postural control in all conditions