Hurdle height alters hurdle clearance kinematics and interval running: Implications for technique instruction in beginners

This study aimed to examine the effects of hurdle height on hurdling kinematics and spatiotemporal parameters during 40-m hurdle running in beginners. Thirty recreationally active students with no hurdling experience (20 males and 10 females) completed trials under three hurdle height conditions: high (0.84 m), medium (0.76 m), and low (0.68 m). A motion capture system (250 Hz) recorded the kinematics of the second hurdle clearance and the subsequent interval runs. Both hurdling and interval step speeds decreased as hurdle height increased ( p  < 0.001). The takeoff angle and maximum center of mass (CoM) height increased with hurdle height ( p  < 0.001), whereas hurdling step speed was strongly and negatively correlated with the takeoff angle ( r  = −0.915), the backward leaning of the body ( r  = −0.676) and the shank ( r  = −0.537) at foot strike during takeoff. The takeoff distance did not differ across conditions; however, hurdling step speed was positively correlated with takeoff distance ( r  = 0.573). These findings suggest that the body and shank orientation at foot strike during takeoff should be maintained as vertically as possible to lower the CoM trajectory during hurdle clearance. This appears to be driven by an increased takeoff angle and reduced running speed, whereas the takeoff distance remains unchanged. Conversely, lower hurdles were associated with higher running speeds. Thus, beginners should learn to keep their body and shank more vertically oriented at foot strike during takeoff, and practicing with lower hurdles may help maintain running speed and develop efficient hurdling techniques.