Biomechanical analysis of the 10km-run in a Triathlon World Cup event: differences presented by women gold medal

Abstract

In most of the triathlon races, the 10km-run is critical to win and, just a few seconds, may separate the gold and the silver medal. To our best knowledge, no study has analyzed the biomechanical differences among the first qualified triathletes during a top-level competition. The aims of the present study were: (1) to examine the different responses to the previous cycling between the gold medal and the other participants, and (2) to compare the biomechanical profiles during the 10km-run presented by the top-ranked triathletes. 16 women, participants at Madrid 2008 Triathlon World Cup, were analyzed. The first qualified triathlete (gold medal) showed significant differences (p<0.05) with the other participants in many of the analyzed variables. A higher stride length, a smaller stride frequency, a higher and more consistent horizontal distance hip- toe cap and a more extended knee angle of the support-leg at toe-off could explain the differences in 10km-run time between gold medal and the other participants.