Objective: The bobsleigh shoes used in the start section are one of the most important equipment for improving the competition. Despite the importance of the start section, there are no shoes that are specific for bobsleigh athletes in Korea and Korean athletes have to wear sprint spike shoes and practice the start instead of wearing bobsleigh shoes. The objective of the present study was to provide data for improving the performance of Korean bobsleigh athletes by investigating the differences in their split time, plantar pressure, and forefoot bending angle based on skill levels at the start of a run under the same conditions as training conditions. Method: Six Korean bobsleigh athletes were divided into two groups, superior (n=3) and non-superior (n=3). A digital speedometer measured the split time at the start; the Pedar-X system (Novel, Germany) measured plantar pressure. Plantar pressures and split times were measured as the athletes pushed a bobsleigh and sprinted at full speed from the start line to the 10-m mark on the bobsleigh track. An ultra-high-speed camera was used to measure the forefoot bending angle during the start phase. Results: Significant between-group differences were found in split times (p<.000; superior = 2.38 s, non-superior = 2.52 s). The superior group had a larger rearfoot (p<.05) contact area, maximum rearfoot force (p<.01), and a larger change in angles 3 and 4 (p<.05). Conclusion: At the start of a bobsleigh run, proper use of the rearfoot for achieving effective driving force and increasing frictional resistance through a wider frictional force can shorten start time.
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