Hurdling evaluation during non-dominant leg step-off in 400m hurdles

Abstract

In hurdle races, in order to reduce the running time, it is necessary to maintain a high running speed and to have good hurdling technique that allows for small deceleration. In addition to this, in the long sprint hurdles, athletes are also required to run between the hurdles in as few steps as possible, and to do so in an even number of steps. The technique to fulfill this is to jump over by stepping off with your non-dominant leg. Most research on this technology has focused on lace patterns, and there are few studies that have focused on movement. The subjects of research focusing on movement are top athletes, and it is difficult to apply it to beginners, who are thought to place more importance on techniques for taking off with their non-dominant foot. In this study, we compared the hurdle-jumping movements of 21 beginners, focusing on the leg that jumps over the hurdle when the dominant and non-dominant legs are used. The hurdle height was set at either low or middle. As a result, there was no difference between the dominant and non-dominant legs in the low hurdle condition. On the other hand, in the middle hurdle condition, the maximum hip abduction angle of the non-dominant leg was smaller than that of the dominant leg. In learning to jump over hurdles with the non-dominant leg for beginners, it was suggested that focusing on the abduction of the trail leg and the rotation of the corresponding body part in the middle hurdles would be effective.