A comparison of hand force and starting block-based response times in the sprint start

This study provided a method comparison of sprint start response times (RTs) obtained using a custom designed hand force plate with block response-times (RT) from an International Association of Athletic Federation (IAAF) approved automatic start control system (IAAF RT). Twenty national and international sprinters completed sprint trials under simulated race conditions. The athletes’ hand forces were obtained using the hand force plate, which was electronically synchronised with the IAAF approved system. The results showed that in all trials, the hand plate RT occurred significantly before the IAAF RT with an average difference of 64 ms. The consistent differences in RT’s suggested that the two systems measured separate events. A re-evaluation of false start detection technology based on measuring hand RT is recommended.