title: Effect of the degree of hill slope on acute downhill running velocity and acceleration.
abstract: This study analyzes the effects of hill slope on acute overspeed running. This study considers both acceleration and supramaximal velocity. Forty-four athletes ran 40-yard sprints, on 5 different hill slopes, ranging from 2.1 degrees to 6.9 degrees . Forty-yard sprint times and 10-yard split times were recorded using the Brower Timing System Speedtrap II. Analysis reveals that 40-yard and 10-yard sprints performed on hill slopes of approximately 5.8 degrees were optimal compared to flatland running and the other slopes assessed. Sprinting on a 5.8 degrees slope increased the subjects' maximal speed by 7.09% +/- 3.66% and increased the subjects' acceleration by 6.54% +/- 1.56%. Strength and conditioning professionals who train athletes for speed should develop and use overspeed hills or platforms with slopes of approximately 5.8 degrees in order to maximize acute sprinting velocity and acceleration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Program in Exercise Science, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. webben70@hotmail.com
authors.forename: William P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Ebben
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Rustin W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Clewien
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001490:Basketball / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018763:Muscle Fatigue; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D011336:Probability; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D019876:Sports Equipment; D019415:Torque; D016474:Weight-Bearing