Andrews Barry S, Bressan Elizabeth S
Department of Sport, Recreation, and Exercise Science, University of the Western Cape, South Africa.
Centre for Human Performance Science, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
Afr J Disabil. 2018 May 23;7:367. doi: 10.4102/ajod.v7i0.367. eCollection 2018.
To optimise sprint performance, one needs to understand how motor control affects motor performance. Researchers have proposed that the Dynamic Systems Theory be adopted for explaining motor performance, skill acquisition and the development of pedagogical methods. Within this theory, the individual is seen as a complex system that functions as the interaction of many sub-systems. Entrained movements would be characterised by optimal sequencing, timing and grading of muscle activation. One of the identified control parameters for running is the rhythm in the coordination pattern.
The objectives of this study were twofold: firstly to investigate whether 6 weeks of timing and rhythmicity training using the computer-based Interactive Metronome™ (IM™) system improves motor timing and rhythmicity, and secondly to investigate whether such effects of IM™ influence the kinematic variables of a sprint.
This study followed a semi-quantitative analysis case study approach using a Paralympic sprinter with a single below knee amputation participated in this study. Data for acceleration and maximal running velocity phases were collected using video recorders.
As found by previous research, the IM™ programme improved the motor timing and rhythmicity of the athlete. However, in contrast to previous research, only minimal improvements, non-significant improvements, were seen in the actual motor performance. This athlete was an older more established athlete and it is therefore recommended that these types of programmes should be followed by young participants in the more fundamental phases of their movement development, to show best results.
为了优化短跑成绩，人们需要了解运动控制如何影响运动表现。研究人员提出采用动态系统理论来解释运动表现、技能习得以及教学方法的发展。在该理论中，个体被视为一个复杂系统，其功能是许多子系统相互作用的结果。夹带运动的特征是肌肉激活的最佳顺序、时机和分级。已确定的跑步控制参数之一是协调模式中的节奏。
本研究有两个目的：第一，研究使用基于计算机的交互式节拍器（IM™）系统进行为期6周的时间和节奏训练是否能改善运动时间和节奏；第二，研究IM™的这种效果是否会影响短跑的运动学变量。
本研究采用半定量分析案例研究方法，一名单膝以下截肢的残奥会短跑运动员参与了本研究。使用录像机收集加速和最大跑步速度阶段的数据。
正如先前研究所发现的，IM™程序改善了运动员的运动时间和节奏。然而，与先前的研究不同，在实际运动表现方面仅观察到极小的改善，即不显著的改善。这名运动员年龄较大且已较为成熟，因此建议这类训练计划应由处于运动发展更基础阶段的年轻参与者进行，以取得最佳效果。
