<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Introduction. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a training programme aimed to enhance toe-toboard consistency on footfall variability and performance in the long jump. Material and methods. The study involved 36 male physical education students. The experimental group participated in a 12-week training programme, whereas the control group was limited to taking part in the classes held at university. All participants performed 6 long jump trials during two testing sessions. The kinematic parameters were assessed using the Optojump Next device and were further analysed to determine the variability of footfall placement during the approach run. Results. The analysis revealed a significant (p &lt; 0.01) decrease in footfall variability in the experimental group between the pre-test and post-test. After the completion of the training programme, the participants significantly (p &lt; 0.05) improved their take-off accuracy. Additionally, they significantly (p &lt; 0.05) increased their velocity in the last five steps before take-off and the effective distance of the jump (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions. The results of this study indicate that through specific training, it is possible to improve the consistency of the steps in the acceleration phase of the approach run in the long jump. Moreover, decreasing footfall variability helps achieve a more stable step pattern which may be beneficial for greater accuracy at the take-off board and makes it possible to increase step velocity at the final stage of the approach run.</p></abstract>

Introduction. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a training programme aimed to enhance toe-toboard consistency on footfall variability and performance in the long jump. Material and methods. The study involved 36 male physical education students. The experimental group participated in a 12-week training programme, whereas the control group was limited to taking part in the classes held at university. All participants performed 6 long jump trials during two testing sessions. The kinematic parameters were assessed using the Optojump Next device and were further analysed to determine the variability of footfall placement during the approach run. Results. The analysis revealed a significant (p < 0.01) decrease in footfall variability in the experimental group between the pre-test and post-test. After the completion of the training programme, the participants significantly (p < 0.05) improved their take-off accuracy. Additionally, they significantly (p < 0.05) increased their velocity in the last five steps before take-off and the effective distance of the jump (p < 0.001). Conclusions. The results of this study indicate that through specific training, it is possible to improve the consistency of the steps in the acceleration phase of the approach run in the long jump. Moreover, decreasing footfall variability helps achieve a more stable step pattern which may be beneficial for greater accuracy at the take-off board and makes it possible to increase step velocity at the final stage of the approach run.

The Effects of a Running Consistency Programme on Footfall Variability and Performance in the Long Jump

Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Department of Theory and Technology of training, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, 2 Akademicka Street, 21-500 Biała Podlaska,

Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Department of Theory and Technology of training, Warsaw

Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport in Biała Podlaska,

Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Introduction. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a training programme aimed to enhance toe-toboard consistency on footfall...

The Effects of a Running Consistency Programme on Footfall Variability and Performance in the Long Jump

Published Online: Dec 17, 2016

Page range: 145 - 152

Received: Jun 10, 2016

Accepted: Sep 20, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/pjst-2016-0019

Keywords
athletics, constraints, stability, step pattern

© by Marcin Starzak

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

The Effects of a Running Consistency Programme on Footfall Variability and Performance in the Long Jump

Published Online: Dec 17, 2016

Page range: 145 - 152

Received: Jun 10, 2016

Accepted: Sep 20, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/pjst-2016-0019

Keywordsathletics, constraints, stability, step pattern

© by Marcin Starzak

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
athletics, constraints, stability, step pattern