Korean J Sports Med.  2021 Sep;39(3):117-126. 10.5763/kjsm.2021.39.3.117.

Kinetic Analysis of Crouching Start Depending on Taping Applied to Hamstring in Elite Male Sprinters

• Kim T
• Park JC
• Park JM
• Choi H

• KMID: 2519574
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5763/kjsm.2021.39.3.117

Abstract

Purpose
This study was aimed to identify the effect of taping applied to both hamstring on the horizontal velocity of the center of mass (COM) and the angle and peak angular velocity of the knee and hip joints in the sagittal plane during the crouching start.
Methods
Seven elite sprinters (three male 100-m sprinters and four male 400-m sprinters) who enrolled in Korea National Sport University and placed in the National Sports Festival participated in this study. The crouching start is divided into four separate phases by the five events: set position (E1), rear block exit (E2), initial contact of rear leg (E3), take-off of rear leg (E4), and initial contact of front leg (E5). The angle (°) of knee and hip joints in each event and the velocity of COM (m/sec) and peak angular velocity (°/sec) in each phase were analyzed before and after the application of kinesiology taping (KT) on both hamstring and placebo taping (PT).
Results
There were no significant differences in the velocity of COM and the angle and peak angular velocity of knee joint among the taping conditions. In 400-m sprinters, the front hip joint with KT or PT flexed less than without taping at E1 (p=0.039), E4 (p=0.018), and E5 (p=0.018). Also, during the phase from E1 to E2, the rear hip joint with both KT and PT extended at lower angular velocity compared to without taping (p=0.018).
Conclusion
While taping may be a beneficial practice for elite sports performance, the application of KT on both hamstring does not enhance sprinters’ start performance.

Keyword

Sprinter; Crouching start; Kinesio-taping; Hamstring

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Definition of the events and associated phases during the crouching start.

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  Fig. 2 Kinesiology taping (A) and placebo taping (B).

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