This study investigated the differences in sprint running velocity and kinematics between a curve lane and a straight lane sprinting. Subjects were seven male collegiate sprinters (100 m sprint time: 10.84 ± 0.27 s). The subjects were sprinted 40 meters with maximum effort, including 10 meters of straight lane and 30 meters of curve lane; separated into beginning section, middle section, and end section, after an approach run for more than 30 meters. Their kinematic data was recorded using two pan-and-tilt video cameras (60 Hz). In the present study, the sprint running velocities were calculated from the body center of mass (COM) velocity as well as from Gait-Speed (step length multiplied by step frequency) velocity.
The body COM velocity in the beginning section was faster than that in the straight lane (p < 0.01). Although the Gait-Speed velocity was the same as the body COM velocity on the straight lane, the Gait-Speed velocity was faster than the body COM velocity on the curve lanes (beginning section p < 0.01; middle section p < 0.05; end section p < 0.05). When sprinting on the curve lane, one has to lean to the inside of the lane against centrifugal force. Naturally the COM of the body passes inside of the support leg. Therefore, the Gate-Speed velocity becomes higher than the body COM velocity. Increase in step length (beginning section p < 0.01; middle section p < 0.05) was occurred with the increase in the Gate-Speed velocity on the curve lane. The present study suggested that sprint running around a curve lane could be utilized for a sprint training to increase the maximum sprint running velocity.