A Comparative Study on Running Gait Pattern of Sprinters and Distance Runners

Abstract: The biomechanics of running gait vary significantly between sprinters and distance runners, owing to the unique demands of their respective disciplines. Sprinting is an aggressive and intricate athletic activity that is primarily associated with power and speed, whereas distance running is concerned with efficiency and fluidity of movement. This study was formulated to determine whether sprinters and distance runners would exhibit differences in technique while running at the same speed. 20 male collegiate athletes—10 sprinters and 10 distance runners aged between 17-25 year were selected from the LNIPE. Each subject ran on treadmill at a set pace of 15 km/hr for 5 mins. Spatiotemporal variables (cadence, stride length, run cycle duration, stance phase duration, swing phase duration, propulsion speed) and pelvic kinematic variables (pelvic tilt, pelvic obliquity, and pelvic rotation) were measured using BTS G-Walk sensor. Collected data was analysed using independent t-test. The result of the study showed no significant differences (p > .05) between sprinters and distance runners for both the spatiotemporal and the pelvic kinematic variables which suggests that, despite their different training focuses and race distances, sprinters and distance runners exhibit similar gait patterns when running at the same speed.