Lower-limb joint mechanics during maximum acceleration sprinting.

Abstract

We explored how humans adjust the stance phase mechanical function of their major lower-limb joints (hip, knee, ankle) during maximum acceleration sprinting. Experimental data (motion capture and ground reaction force (GRF)) were recorded from eight participants as they performed overground sprinting trials. Six alternative starting locations were used to obtain a dataset that incorporated the majority of the acceleration phase. Experimental data were combined with an inverse-dynamics-based analysis to calculate lower-limb joint mechanical variables. As forward acceleration magnitude decreased, the vertical GRF impulse remained nearly unchanged whereas the net horizontal GRF impulse became s..