Stride patterns in women's 400m hurdles: decisive factors or simple numbers?

The study analysed the impact of the number of steps between hurdles on the final result in the women's 400 m hurdles, using data from 141 championship final races from 1978 to 2022. The aim was to determine the standard stride rhythm, the influence of the minimal number of steps on athletic performance, and the relationship between stride rhythm in the initial and final phases of the race. The results showed that the best athletes cover the first 5–6 intervals between hurdles with a 15-step rhythm, with some even starting the race with 14 steps. In the second part of the distance, the number of steps increases (to 15–16 for the best athletes, 17–18 for others). The greatest changes in stride rhythm occur in the second half of the race, particularly between the 7th and 10th hurdles and in the last 40 meters. Correlation analysis indicated that minimal changes in the number of steps on the second curve (between the 4th and 8th hurdles) have a significant impact on the final race time (r=0.30, p<0.001). A smaller number of steps in subsequent parts of the distance is a key factor determining a high level of performance in this event.