Date of Award

Fall 12-1-2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Physical Education

First Advisor

Alfred Finch

Second Advisor

Blanche Evans

Third Advisor

Jolynn S. Kuhlman

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of an angled proto-type starting block on sprint start kinematics. The angled starting block rotates the foot medially at a 16 degree angle, which emulates the 16 degree angle of the ankle on the medial axis of the foot. This 16 degree should allow for the athlete to apply more force against the block, resulting in a higher velocity at take-off and a faster block clearance time. In the present study, six female collegiate sprinters were filmed and analyzed using the angled starting block and a standard starting block. Non-significant differences in velocities and stride lengths were found for increased velocities, increased stride lengths, and longer block clearance times, were observed for the angled block in comparison to the standard starting block. The angled starting block revealed higher velocities and longer stride lengths, but a longer block clearance time. The slight resultant improvements in linear velocity and stride length were not noted at a significant level. The results indicate additional research should be conducted with higher caliber athletes in order to improve repeatability and reduce variability between trials and a larger sample size to increase statistical power.

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