Kinematic analysis of hip extension during skipping and sprinting in junior high school students

Abstract

Problem Statement: Skipping is a warm-up and drill exercise used to enhance running ability in sports coaching. However, existing evidence on the efficacy of skipping in improving running ability is insufficient. Purpose: This study aimed to develop a skipping drill to enhance running ability by investigating the relationship between skipping and running motions. Approach: The study included 73 male junior high school students (mean height: 165.2±5.7 cm, mean weight: 54.7±9.7 kg, age range: 14–15 years). Each participant underwent a 30 m skipping test and 50 m sprint test, which were recorded via a video camera. Based on their sprint performance, participants were divided into two groups: higher (HP, faster than 7.3 s) and lower performance (LP, slower than 8.5 s) groups. We analyzed the motion of support limb in stance phase during sprinting and skipping using Frame DIAS VI, a motion analysis software. Results: The average angular velocity of hip extension in the HP group was significantly higher than in the LP group during sprinting and skipping. The maximal angular acceleration in hip extension during skipping was significantly higher than that during sprinting in both groups. Furthermore, during sprinting, the maximal angular acceleration in hip extension of the HP and LP groups appeared at approximately 40% of the foot contact period and immediately before take-off, respectively. Even in skipping, maximal angular acceleration in hip extension in the HP and LP groups appeared at approximately 50% of the foot contact period and past 80% of the period, respectively. Conclusion: These results indicated that maximal angular acceleration in hip extension of the HP group appeared earlier than that in the LP group in the stance phase during both sprinting and skipping. In conclusion, the kinematic characteristics of hip extension during the stance phase of skipping and sprinting reflect running ability.