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Abstract

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 5: Issue 1, Article 2, 2024. Sprint performance is a crucial aspect of achieving high performance across a range of sports. However, previous studies analyzing the sprint technique of novices have yielded disparate findings regarding effective sprint techniques. For instance, Saito and Ito (1995) found no significant difference in the maximum thigh angle of the free leg between boys aged 7 to 12 and sprinters. Conversely, Katoh et al. (2001) reported that elementary school sprinters indicated a larger maximum thigh angle of the free leg than novice elementary children. Inconsistency like this makes it challenging for teachers to plan coaching strategies for refinement sprint techniques. This study aimed to clarify the kinematic characteristics of novices ranging from elementary school children to adults by reviewing previous articles. To comprehensively explore a broad range of English and Japanese articles analyzing sprint techniques of novices and athletes during the maximal velocity phase in sprint events, three search engines, namely CiNii Research, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus, were utilized. Mean values, correlation coefficients, and the results of group comparisons in these articles were compared. As the main results, novices exhibited a much smaller thigh angle of the free leg at touchdown compared to athletes. Novices indicated a larger minimum knee angle of the free leg than athletes, and this angle tended to decrease as sprint velocity increased from 5 m/s to 10 m/s. Novices exhibited a smaller maximum thigh angle of the free leg than athletes, and this angle tended to increase as sprint velocity increased from 5 m/s to 9 m/s.


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