Relationships between lower-limb joint kinetic parameters of sprint running and rebound jump during the support phases

Abstract

We investigated the relationships between the lower-limb joint kinetic parameters of sprint running and rebound jump during the support phases in 16 male track and field athletes performing sprint running and rebound jump at maximal effort. Sprint running velocity and rebound jump index (i.e., jump height divided by contact time) during rebound jump were calculated. Lower-limb joint kinetic parameters (joint torque and power) during the support phases of these activities were calculated using a force platform and data from a high-speed video camera that recorded movements in the sagittal plane. No significant correlation was observed between sprint velocity and rebound jump index. However, significant correlations were observed between sprint running and rebound jump for mean ankle-joint torque and mean knee-joint torque in the eccentric and concentric phases, as well as for mean negative ankle-joint power and mean negative knee-joint power. These results suggest mechanical similarities in ankle- and knee-joint kinetic parameters, especially in the eccentric phase of sprint running and rebound jump, although such similarities were not observed for sprint velocity and rebound jump index.

Keywords

• ankle joint
• knee joint
• plyometric training
• biomechanics