Force-time data acquisition system for sprint starting.

A device for the acquisition of horizontal forces in the sprint start was designed and tested on the basis of linearity, hysteresis, and the force-time curves. The force measuring device was built to resemble and function as a regular starting block while measuring the reaction force from the push off. The linearity test produced a correlation coefficient of 0.99; the hysteresis was 1.0% of the full scale force block output; and the frequency response test displayed an average error of 6% in terms of amplitude and no discernable phase shift effect at a 6 Hz loading frequency. The force-time curves produced were consistent with previous results and did not differ greatly upon comparison with a force plate. All these results were within acceptable limits.