Kinetic and kinematic analysis of hurdle clearance of an African and a world champion athlete: a comparative study

Abstract

The modelling of athletic movement is an important method in motor-skill learning. A world champion and a world record-holder, C.J, with a time of 12.91s, was chosen as a model-athlete in 110m hurdles in this study. He was compared with R.G, a Tunisian athlete and African champion based on his personal best of 13.90s. The biomechanical characteristics of the latter were analysed and compared with that of C.J’s using the kinematic and kinetic parameters of the 110m hurdle clearance of the two athletes to determine the difference in their hurdling technique. R.G’s hurdling sequences over the fourth and fifth hurdle were recorded using four cameras [Sony DCR-PC108^E]. His kinematic model was digitised using SkillSpector^® software. The results showed a difference in the centre of mass displacement at hurdle clearance and velocity-parameters in both the take-off and the landing phases. When comparing R.G to C.J, the latter had a smaller vertical displacement and a longer horizontal displacement, in addition to, a greater horizontal velocity along with a better reaction force and a higher peak-power. To improve R.G’s performance, greater horizontal velocity and lower contact time at the take-off phase through a higher rate of force development are needed.

Keywords: 110m Hurdles; Motion analysis; Displacement; Velocity; Reaction force.