A biomechanical analysis of developmental patterns in childrens running

The purpose of the research was to determine the magnitude of temporal and kinematic changes which occur during the develop­ ment of the running movement pattern in children. Various bio­ mechanical variables of the right running stride were analyzed from sixty-three male subjects, with an age range of six to twelve years old inclusive. The results for the fifteen vari­ ables were analyzed separately by a one way randomized block design analysis of variance and the Scheffe method of post hoc analysis. The measured parameters were subsequently used to develop a profile of the development of the running movement pattern of children and to describe the relationship between running performance and a combination of temporal and kine­ matic variables. The research revealed that the temporal variables showed no statistically significant differences in the seven different age groups analyzed. The kinematic data measured in this study pro­ duced three statistically significant differences in the magni­ tude of technique changes analyzed. Horizontal velocity, stride length and relative foot velocity were the variables that pro­ duced statistically significant differences at less than the .05 level. Various angular data associated with the technique changes in the developmental patterns of childrens running per­ formance were investigated. The results for these variables pro­ duced no apparent developing trends across the age groups analyzed. It was concluded that by age six, the fundamental male running pattern has been developed and that the only significant changes that occur up to age twelve are in strength and power. iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. DEDICATION To Albert and Jessie, my parents. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The following people Ï wish to acknowledge for their help that they have offered to me during my graduate studies: Dr. G . Wayne Marino, my sincerest appreciation to my advisor and friend, for his continual help and faith that he expressed in me during my graduate studies. Drs. A. Metcalfe and W. Innerd, for their participation and contributions as my thesis committee members. Special thanks is extended to Pierre Gervais for his continual help throughout my thesis work. I wish to thank Don andPatty for their help during the filming sessions. Also a note of sincere appreciation is extended to both the Crook and Fournier families, for being my family while I was away from home.