The bouncing mechanics of an olympic runner: a case report

Núñez-Lisboa, Mario; Echeverría, Karla; Cancino, Jorge; Dewolf, Arthur Henri

doi:10.1590/rbce.47.e20240115

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE • Rev. Bras. Ciênc. Esporte 47 • 2025 • https://doi.org/10.1590/rbce.47.e20240115 linkcopy

The bouncing mechanics of an olympic runner: a case report

A mecânica de quique de um corredor olímpico: um relato de caso

La mecánica de rebote de un corredor olímpico: un informe de caso

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

This study examines the running mechanics of an elite marathon runner (ER) compared to swimmers (SWI) and soccer players (SOC) at speeds of 3.9, 4.4, and 5.0 m·s⁻¹. ER consistently showed 22–25% higher vertical stiffness (k_vert) than SWI and 4–6% higher than SOC, linked to greater peak forces and reduced vertical displacement. ER’s lower t_ce/t_ae and t_brake/t_push ratios suggest efficient transitions and enhanced energy conservation. Unlike SWI and SOC, who showed less stiffness and longer braking times, ER’s running pattern reveals adaptations for energy efficiency and endurance, particularly in rebound mechanics. These traits underscore unique biomechanical strategies that differentiate endurance athletes from those with other sports backgrounds.

Keywords:
Vertical stiffness; Sports background; Marathon runner; Running biomechanics

	SWI			SOC			ER
	Mean	±	SD	Mean	±	SD
Age (years)	16.5	±	0.8	22.9	±	1.4	31
Body mass (kg)	65.5	±	4.6	72.8	±	6.4	59.1
Height (m)	1.76	±	0.03	1.72	±	0.06	1.74
BMI kg\ m²	21.1	±	1.4	24.4	±	1.2	19.5

		SWI (6)		SOC (6)		ER (1)	% difference
	Speed	Mean	SD	Mean	SD		SWI vs ER	SOC vs ER
	3.9 m s^-1	0.219	0.01	0.2	0.016	0.198	-9.6	-1
t_c	4.4 m s^-1	0.197	0.008	0.181	0.014	0.177	-10.2	-2.2
(s)	5.0 m s^-1	0.183	0.008	0.164	0.011	0.16	-12.6	-2.4

	3.9 m s^-1	0.144	0.015	0.136	0.019	0.152	5.6	11.8
t_a	4.4 m s^-1	0.153	0.023	0.144	0.014	0.171	11.8	18.8
(s)	5.0 m s^-1	0.147	0.014	0.15	0.011	0.181	23.1	20.7

	3.9 m s^-1	0.362	0.02	0.336	0.009	0.35	-3.3	4.2
Step period	4.4 m s^-1	0.349	0.024	0.325	0.01	0.348	-0.3	7.1
(s)	5.0 m s^-1	0.33	0.019	0.314	0.01	0.341	3.3	8.6

	3.9 m s^-1	0.11	0.007	0.105	0.008	0.09	-18.2	-14.3
t_brake	4.4 m s^-1	0.099	0.006	0.093	0.007	0.08	-19.2	-16.1
(s)	5.0 m s^-1	0.092	0.005	0.085	0.005	0.075	-18.5	-17.6

	3.9 m s^-1	0.109	0.007	0.095	0.008	0.108	-0.9	-12
t_push	4.4 m s^-1	0.098	0.006	0.088	0.007	0.097	-1	-10.3
(s)	5.0 m s^-1	0.091	0.005	0.079	0.006	0.085	-2.2	-8.9

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