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Metatarsophalangeal joint function during sprinting: A comparison of barefoot and sprint spike shod foot conditions
Smith, Grace Lake, Mark Lees, Adrian
Smith, Grace
Lake, Mark
Lees, Adrian
Advisors
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Other Contributors
EPub Date
Publication Date
2013-09-13
Submitted Date
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Abstract
The metatarsophalangeal joint is an important contributor to lower limb energetics during sprint running. This study compared the kinematics, kinetics and energetics of the metatarsophalangeal joint during sprinting barefoot and wearing standardised sprint spikes. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether standard sprinting footwear alters the natural motion and function of the metatatarsophalangeal joint exhibited during barefoot sprint running. Eight trained sprinters performed maximal sprints along a runway, four sprints in each condition. Three dimensional high speed (1000 Hz) kinematic and kinetic data were collected at the 20 m point. Joint angle, angular velocity, moment, power and energy were calculated for the metatarsophalangeal joint. Sprint spikes significantly increase sprinting velocity (0.3 m/s average increase), yet limit the range of motion about the metatarsophalangeal joint (17.9 % average reduction) and reduce peak dorsiflexion velocity (25.5 % average reduction), thus exhibiting a controlling affect over the natural behaviour of the foot. However, sprint spikes improve metatarsophalangeal joint kinetics by significantly increasing the peak metatarsophalangeal joint moment (15 % average increase) and total energy generated during the important push-off phase (0.5 J to 1.4 J). The results demonstrate substantial changes in metatarsophalangeal function and potential improvements in performance-related parameters due to footwear.
Citation
Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 2014, 30(2), pp. 206-212
Publisher
Journal
Journal of Applied Biomechanics
Research Unit
DOI
10.1123/jab.2013-0072
PubMed ID
24042098
PubMed Central ID
Type
Article
Language
en
Description
This is the authors' post print as accepted for publication in Journal of Applied Biomechanics. The published version is available at http://journals.humankinetics.com/jab
Series/Report no.
ISSN
1065-8483
EISSN
1543-2688