Skip to main content
Log in

Sprint running performance: comparison between treadmill and field conditions

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We investigated the differences in performance between 100-m sprints performed on a sprint treadmill recently validated versus on a standard track. To date, studies comparing overground and treadmill running have mainly focused on constant and not maximal “free” running speed, and compared running kinetics and kinematics over a limited number of steps, but not overall sprint performance. Eleven male physical education students including two sprinters performed one 100-m on the treadmill and one on a standard athletics track in a randomized order, separated by 30 min. Performance data were derived in both cases from speed–time relationships measured with a radar and with the instrumented sprint treadmill, which allowed subjects to run and produce speed “freely”, i.e. with no predetermined belt speed imposed. Field and treadmill typical speed–distance curves and data of maximal and mean speed, 100-m time and acceleration/deceleration time constants were compared using t tests and field–treadmill correlations were tested. All the performance parameters but time to reach top speed and deceleration time constant differed significantly, by about 20% on average, between field and treadmill (e.g. top speed of 8.84 ± 0.51 vs. 6.90 ± 0.39 m s−1). However, significant correlations were found (r > 0.63; P < 0.05) for all the performance parameters except time to reach top speed. Treadmill and field 100-m sprint performances are different, despite the fact that subjects could freely accelerate the belt. However, the significant correlations found make it possible to investigate and interpret inter-individual differences in field performance from treadmill measurements.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arsac LM, Locatelli E (2002) Modeling the energetics of 100-m running by using speed curves of world champions. J Appl Physiol 92:1781–1788

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beneke R, Taylor MJD (2010) What gives Bolt the edge––A.V. Hill knew it already!. J Biomech 43:2241–2243

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Best CH, Partridge RC (1928) The equation of motion of a runner, exerting a maximal effort. Proc R Soc B 103:218–225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowtell MV, Tan H, Wilson AM (2009) The consistency of maximum running speed measurements in humans using a feedback-controlled treadmill, and a comparison with maximum attainable speed during overground locomotion. J Biomech 42:2569–2574

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brüggemann GP, Koszewski D, Müller HE (1999) Biomechanical Research Projects Athens 1997, Final Report. MMSU, Oxford UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Bundle MW, Hoyt RW, Weyand PG (2003) High-speed running performance: a new approach to assessment and prediction. J Appl Physiol 95:1955–1962

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bundle MW, Ernst CL, Bellizzi MJ, Wright S, Weyand PG (2006) A metabolic basis for impaired force production and neuromuscular compensation during sprint cycling. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 291:1457–1464

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chelly SM, Denis C (2001) Leg power and hopping stiffness: relationship with sprint running performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 33:326–333

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dal Monte A, Fucci S, Manoni A (1973) The treadmill used as a training and simulator instrument in middle- and long-distance running. Medicine and Sport. Krager, Basel, pp 359–363

    Google Scholar 

  • Di Prampero PE, Fusi S, Sepulcri L, Morin JB, Belli A, Antonutto G (2005) Sprint running: a new energetic approach. J Exp Biol 208:2809–2816

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elliot BC, Blanksby BA (1976) A cinematographical analysis of overground and treadmill running by males and females. Med Sci Sports Exerc 8:84–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Falk B, Weinstein Y, Dotan R, Abramson DA, Mann-Segal D, Hoffman JR (1996) A treadmill test of sprint sunning. Scand J Med Sci Sports 6:259–264

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frishberg BA (1983) An analysis of overground and treadmill sprinting. Med Sci Sports Exerc 15:478–485

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Henry FM (1954) Time–velocity equations and oxygen requirements of “all-out” and “steady-pace” running. Res Q Exercise Sport 25:164–177

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaskolski A, Veenstra B, Goossens P, Jaskolska A (1996) Optimal resistance for maximal power during treadmill running. Sports Med Training and Rehab 7:17–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaskoska A, Goossens P, Veenstra B, Jaskoski A, Skinner JS (1999) Comparison of treadmill and cycle ergometer measurements of force–velocity relationships and power output. Int J Sports Med 20:192–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kivi DM, Maraj BK, Gervais P (2002) A kinematic analysis of high-speed treadmill sprinting over a range of velocities. Med Sci Sports Exerc 34:662–666

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kram R, Griffin TM, Donelan JM, Chang YH (1998) Force treadmill for measuring vertical and horizontal ground reaction forces. J Appl Physiol 85:764–769

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lakomy H (1987) The use of a non-motorized treadmill for analysing sprint performance. Ergonomics 30:627–637

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin JC, Wagner BM, Coyle EF (1997) Inertial-load method determines maximal cycling power in a single exercise bout. Med Sci Sports Exerc 29:1505–1512

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McKenna MJ, Riches PE (2007) A comparison of sprinting kinematics on two types of treadmill and over-ground. Scand J Med Sci Sports 17:649–655

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morin JB, Jeannin T, Chevallier B, Belli A (2006) Spring-mass model characteristics during sprint running: correlation with performance and fatigue-induced changes. Int J Sports Med 27:158–165

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morin JB, Samozino P, Bonnefoy R, Edouard P, Belli A (2010) Direct measurement of power during one single sprint on treadmill. J Biomech 43:1970–1975

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson RC, Dillman CJ, Lagasse P, Bickett P (1972) Effect of training on muscle metabolism during treadmill sprinting. Med Sci Sports 4:233–240

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nigg BM, De Boer RW, Fisher V (1995) A kinematic comparison of overground and treadmill running. Med Sci Sports Exerc 27:98–105

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Riley PO, Dicharry J, Franz J, Croce UD, Wilder RP, Kerrigan DC (2008) A kinematics and kinetic comparison of overground and treadmill running. Med Sci Sports Exerc 40:1093–1100

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schache AG, Blanch PD, Rath DA, Wrigley TV, Starr R, Bennell KL (2001) A comparison of overground and treadmill running for measuring the three-dimensional kinematics of the lumbo–pelvic–hip complex. Clin Biomech 16:667–680

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Ingen Schenau GJ (1980) Some fundamental aspects of the biomechanics of overground versus treadmill locomotion. Med Sci Sports Exerc 12:257–261

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Volkov NI, Lapin VI (1979) Analysis of the velocity curve in sprint running. Med Sci Sports 11:332–337

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weyand PG, Bundle MW (2005) Energetics of high-speed running: integrating classical theory and contemporary observations. Am J Physiol 288:956–965

    Google Scholar 

  • Weyand PG, Sternlight DB, Bellizzi MJ, Wright S (2000) Faster top running speeds are achieved with greater ground forces not more rapid leg movements. J Appl Physiol 89:1991–1999

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weyand PG, Bundle MW, McGowan CP, Grabowski A, Brown MB, Kram R, Herr H (2009) The fastest runner on artificial legs: different limbs, similar function? J Appl Physiol 107:903–911

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weyand PG, Sandell RF, Prime DNL, Bundle MW (2010) The biological limits to running speed are imposed from the ground up. J Appl Physiol 108:950–961

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Williams KR (1985) Biomechanics of running. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 13:389–441

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Dr Pierre Samozino for his helpful comments on the paper and stimulating discussion of the data.

Conflict of interest

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jean-Benoît Morin.

Additional information

Communicated by Jean-René Lacour.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Morin, JB., Sève, P. Sprint running performance: comparison between treadmill and field conditions. Eur J Appl Physiol 111, 1695–1703 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1804-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1804-0

Keywords

Navigation