SPRINTING AND INTOEING

The relationship between sprinting ability and intoeing was explored i n a single blinded controlled study performed on 100 high school stude nts. Rotational profiles and sprinting foot-progression angles were co mpared in 50 high school sprinters and 50 high school controls. Sprint ers had a significantly lower (p < 0.05) thigh-foot angle than did con trols. The mean thigh-foot angle for sprinters and controls was +3 and +10 degrees, respectively. Significantly more sprinters intoed during sprinting than controls (p < 0.05). Neither walking foot-progression angle nor hip rotation appears to be a factor in sprinting. The findin gs of this study suggest that low normal thigh-foot angles and sprinti ng intoed may correlate with sprinting ability. This information may r educe anxiety of parents of children with medial tibial torsion.