Track Start Force Plate Analysis

This video provides an analysis of the horizontal and vertical forces of each foot in the track start, the impulse of each foot and the performance time from when the last foot leaves the block to where the head crosses the 5m mark.  We were able to improve performance times by up to .17 seconds over the first 5m in 3 starts.  Imagine the impact for the sprinter if we can improve the start time by .25 seconds.  A great analysis by biomechanical expert, Pro Stergiou of the Canadian Sport Centre Calgary.   Reaction time was not the best indicator of start performance, the impulse was.  It was awesome to see the change in the horizontal forces of each leg and the improved impulse of my swimmers in such a short period of time.  The improved impulse of the back foot had the most impact to the start performance with my swimmers.  A couple of things we noticed that may help you with your athletes:

1.  Try to have more of the back foot on the block, those with the heel raised too high and only the forefoot on the block generated a poorer impulse.
2.  If the back foot was too far back the impulse again was poor.  When the back foot was a bit closer to the front foot we were able to get a greater impulse.
Also, the horizontal and vertical forces of each foot are displayed and of course we are hoping to get the horizontal force curve to be higher and the vertical force curve to be lower.  I looked at the initial movement of the hip to see if the swimmer was applying too much downward force with the back foot to begin the start.  With one of the girls, she's one of those great listeners, I told her to try really hard not to let the hips raise as she begins the start and to bring the hips straight forward and down toward the water.  Wow, did she ever improve her horizontal force but really improved her impulse with the back foot and was .17 sec faster.  Not to mention there has to be some corresponding speed improvement passed the 5 m point due to the increased velocity during the entry.  It was a great day of teaching skills and I hope this helps you a bit.  Please share this with your swimming community, I think it is great leading edge stuff!! 

Thanks again to Biomechanic Expert Pro Stergiou from the Canadian Sport Centre Calgary for designing the force plate system for analysing the swimming track start...you the man!  It was great working with you, let's do it again soon!