Análisis Biomecánico de la Zancada y su Relación con la Eficiencia del Desplazamiento en Patinadores de Velocidad de la Selección Boyacá

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between cadence and stride length, as well as their impact on the displacement efficiency of speed skaters from the Boyacá Team, through a biomechanical analysis of the technical gesture during straight-line displacement. Methodologically, the study was framed within a quantitative approach, with a single-group, cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational design, involving 13 athletes from the pre-youth, youth, and senior categories, all with a competitive history in national events.For data collection, technological tools such as high-speed cameras, Kinovea software, and GPS devices were used, allowing the analysis of kinematic and dynamic variables such as stride length and frequency, support and flight times, joint angles, speed, acceleration, and power.The data obtained from the analysis of the technical gesture of the stride were organized, processed, and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics software version 30.0.0. After performing statistical processing and a detailed evaluation of the collected information, the results showed that stride length presented a moderate positive correlation with speed and power, as well as a negative correlation with the time spent in the 200-meter test, suggesting that a greater stride length enhances athletic performance. In contrast, stride frequency showed weak and even negative correlations with efficiency indicators, indicating that an excessive increase in cadence does not necessarily translate into better performance. Similarly, support time showed a positive relationship with performance, highlighting its relevance in the generation and transfer of force during displacement.The results allowed the identification of different biomechanical profiles among the evaluated athletes, showing that some base their performance on a greater stride length, while others do so on a higher frequency of execution. These findings confirm that the efficiency of the technical gesture is determined by the interaction of mechanical and physiological variables specific to each athlete. Likewise, power established itself as a determining factor in sports performance, showing a positive association with the increase in speed.In conclusion, the study confirms the existence of a significant relationship between cadence, stride length, and displacement efficiency, highlighting the importance of maintaining an optimal balance between these variables for performance in speed skating. The findings obtained provide relevant scientific evidence that can guide the optimization of training processes, technical refinement, and the individualization of sports preparation strategies.