Ontogenetic Development of Kinematic Parameters of the Running Stride

Authors of the research deal with cross-section analysis of ontogenetic characteristics of basic kinematic parameters of the running stride in terms of age and gender from 7 to 18 years of age. There were monitored: average velocity, stride frequency and length, duration of support and flying phase, as well as other derived indicators at 10 m with 15 m flying start. Sample consisted of 1299 male and 1288 female students of elementary and high schools in Bratislava. Authors determined high age dependency of running speed and stride length on age. On the other hand, there was high ontogenetic stability of the indicators (stride frequency, duration of support and flying phase) in the population of 7 to 18 year-old youth. Ontogenetically stable parameters deteriorated partially in prepubescent and at the beginning of the pubescent period in the age 11 - 15. This relates to rapid growth of body height and weight and deterioration of biomechanical and coordination conditions of an organism. Those finding lead the authors to the conclusion, that ontogenetically stable indicators comprise so called dispositional factors in evaluating the rate of talent for running speed.