KINEMATIC AND KINETIC STUDY OF SPRINT RUNNING TECHNIQUE AT DIFFERENT HIGH SPEEDS IN BLIND PARALYMPIC ATHLETES

Amelia Ferro¹, J. Luis Graupera² and Pedro Vera³.

¹Laboratory of Sports Biomechanics. High Performance and Sports Sciences Research Centre (CARICD) of Higher Sports Council (CSD), Madrid, Spain. ²Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences. University of Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. ³Biomechanics Institute of Valencia (IBV), Valencia, Spain.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the running technique of the best five Spanish B1 Blind Paralympic Athletes, at different percentages of sprint velocity: 40, 60, 80 and 100. The results were compared with a control group of top performance sprinters, in order to provide coaches with useful information for the design of learning technique strategies and specific training programmes to improve their athletes' performance. Three-dimensional cinematographic techniques were used for the kinematic analysis. Two force platforms registered ground reaction forces (GRF) for the kinetic analysis. Kinematic variables show clear differences in skill level between both groups. The data of GRF explains the kinematic results and reveal the sprinters' load pattern.