Kinematic Analysis of Support Phase Characteristics in Women Race Walking

Abstract

Race walking requires a great deal of effort to compete successfully which includes a unique combination of technique, extreme physical exertion and mental focus. Unlike running, race walking is composed by support phase (heel strike, mid-stance and toe off) and swing phase. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between different kinematic characteristics of support phase during race walking and walking velocity. The rules of race walking demand that no visible flight time should occur and the stance leg must be straightened from initial contact to midstance. Previous research has not examined whether these rules also have an effect on walking performance and what consequences might arise. Top ten (U-20 Girls) finishers of 10000m race walk discipline, 33rd National Junior Athletic Championships, 2017 held at Acharya Nagarjuna University, Vijaywada, A. P. India were recorded by using two Nikon digital 4K camcorders (60 Hz) mounted on rigid tripods were placed alongside of the course at approximately 90° to the plane of motion. The junior athletes were analyzed by using motion analysis software (KINOVEA 0.8.27). Descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation coefficient (p<0.05) were employed for statistical calculation. The tabulation of data was done by using the IBM SPSS 25 software. The result of the study revealed that, women athlete’s performance were affected by the long contact phase duration (Mean=0.33 s (±) 0.05). This factor relativity creates hindrances in propulsive phase. A negative association (r= -0.49) found between contact time and average speed. As expected, due to the technical rules of this discipline knee angel at heel contact is significantly correlated with velocity as the calculated r value was 0.709* (Critical value at 8 df r = 0.632). Whereas, at mid stance phase a negative correlation found between knee angle and walking performance that sketch a hyper extended knee. However, a positive linear relationship found in variables like, hip angle, elbow angle at heel contact and mid stance phase with walking velocity. But, a less economical technique observed in toe off phase for almost every variable as those were negatively associated with mean speed, and so a balance between those fundamental techniques of support phase variables is advisable. The race walkers had shorter swing times, longer contact times, and smaller maximum knee flexion angles (152° ± 7.32) than the distance runners. The smaller knee flexion angles in race walkers meant they experienced greater swing leg moment of inertia than the distance runners.