Foot Strike Patterns, Anthropometric Parameters and Somatotypes in Optimizing Multi-sprint Sports Performance

Performances in multi-sprint sports may depend on various attributes like ability to run fast, ability to pass/hit/kick/throw the ball, reaching the ball and maneuvering with the ball. The effect of foot-strike patterns on the ability to run fast and chances of injury occurrence has been evaluated in recent studies on runners, but no study has reported its effect on multi-sprint sports. In this study, the anthropometric and anaerobic parameters have been obtained among athletes with different foot strike patterns to estimate the relationship between suitable foot strike pattern and sports performances. Twenty-six males between the age group of 18–25 years who were free from injury took part in the study. Running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST) was performed by the participants after checking their oxygen saturation and pulse rate (beats per minute) with a warm-up session. The anthropometric measurements: standing height, body composition, skinfolds (triceps, medial calf, subscapular and supraspinale), breadths (biepicondylar femur and humerus) and girths (arm and calf) were measured. The study has shown that most participants (50%) followed the rear-foot strike pattern during RAST. Significant differences in maximum and aver-age power output in RAST were obtained among the fore-foot strike (FFS) and mid-foot strike (MFS) runners compared with the rear-foot strike (RFS) runners. In the continual six sprints of the RAST, the power outputs were found to be FFS < MFS < RFS. Significant differences were found in fatigue index (FI) and anaerobic capacity (AC) of the MFS and FFS compared with RFS participants. This study has observed a significantly low fatigue index among RFS compared to FFS. This study concludes a higher dependency of the kinesiology and kinanthropometric parameters on multi-sprint sports performances. However, further studies are required to optimise sprinting in multi-sprint sports on different shoed and surface conditions, along with more match specific conditions.