Beata Makaruk
Department of Sports for All, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Physical Education and Health in Biala Podlaska, Poland

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the height of mini-hurdles on the kinematics of sprinting in sprinters and jumpers.
Twelve male athletes (mean ± SD, age: 21.5 ± 1.9 years, height 178.4 ± 5.1 cm, body mass 74.6 ± 6.4 kg) ran maximal flying sprint under 3 different conditions: with flat, medium and high mini-hurdles (0.5, 13 and 20 cm high, respectively). The obstacles were set from 20 to 40 m.
The Optojump Next (Microgate, Italy) was used to assess running velocity, stride length, stride frequency, contact time and flying time. The analysis revealed that running velocity and stride frequency were significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the flat mini-hurdles condition compared to the high mini-hurdles condition.
Stride length significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the high mini-hurdles condition when compared with the flat mini-hurdles conditions.
There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the medium condition and the other conditions for all sprint kinematics. We suggest that coaches and practitioners should adjust the height of sprinting obstacle depending on training needs.

Keywords: sprint training method, hurdles, stride length, stride frequency. 

References

1. Alcaraz P. E., Carlos-Vivas J., Oponjuru B. O., Martinez-Rodriguez, A. The effectiveness of resisted sled training (RST) for sprint performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 2018, vol. 9, no. 48, pp. 2143-2165.
2. Makaruk B., Stempel P., Makaruk H. The effects of assisted sprint training on sprint running performance in women. Acta Kinesiologica, 2019, vol. 2, no. 13, pp. 5-10.
3. Makaruk B., Makaruk H., Sacewicz T. The efficacy of speed training conducted by applying runs between guide strips. Physical Education and Sport, 2009, vol. 3, no. 53, pp. 167-172.
4. Makaruk B., Makaruk H., Sacewicz T., Makaruk T., Kędra S., Długołęcka, B. Validity and reliability of measurement of kinematic parameters in a running speed test. Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism, 2009, vol. 2, no. 16, pp. 85-92.
5. Mero A., Komi P. V., Gregor, R. J. Biomechanics of sprint running. Sports Medicine, 1992, vol. 6, no. 13,pp. 376-392.
6. Petrakos G., Morin, J. B., Egan B. Resisted sled sprint training to improve sprint performance: a systematic review. Sports Medicine, 2016, vol. 3, no. 46, pp. 381-400.
7. Saito S., Takahashi K.Immediate effect of running over flat makers to improve stride frequency. ISBS Proceedings Archive, 36th Conference of the International Society of Biomechanics is Sport, Auckland, New Zealand, September, 10-14, 2018.
8. Tabor P., Mastalerz A., Iwańska D., Grabowska O. Asymmetry indices in female runners as predictors of running velocity. Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism, 2019, vol. 3, no. 26, pp. 3-8.
9. Young W. B., McDowell M. H., Scarlett B. J. Specificity of sprint and agility training methods. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2001, vol. 3, no. 15, pp. 315-319.