A Comparison of the Traction Generated by Different Track Spike Models

Andrew MayFollow

School Name

Spring Valley High School

Grade Level

10th Grade

Presentation Topic

Physics

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Abstract

Track runners are often confronted with the issue of deciding which track spike model to use for peak performance. Many athletes are forced to guess what spikes to use, or wear the model included with their spike shoes, typically, pyramid spikes. The purpose of this study was to determine which model of track spike, pyramid, needle, or Christmas tree, has the most traction. It was hypothesized that Christmas tree spikes would have the most traction due to the rigid design. Each spike model was attached to identical wooden blocks and then forced into a Mondo track surface. The wooden blocks were then pulled using a force gauge, and the force required to dislodge the spikes was recorded. Each type of track spike was tested thirty times. A one way analysis of variance test was used to assess the significance of the results. The Christmas tree spikes required the most force to dislodge from the track, an average of 53.153N, indicating that it has the most traction, F(2, 27) = 63.80, p=<0.0001. A Tukey Post Hoc Test concluded that the difference in the force required to dislodge the different track spike models was significant, CD=2.16. The Christmas tree required the most force, needle spikes required the second most amount of force, and pyramid spikes required the least amount of force.

Location

HSS 206

Start Date

4-2-2022 11:45 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Apr 2nd, 11:45 AM

A Comparison of the Traction Generated by Different Track Spike Models

HSS 206

Track runners are often confronted with the issue of deciding which track spike model to use for peak performance. Many athletes are forced to guess what spikes to use, or wear the model included with their spike shoes, typically, pyramid spikes. The purpose of this study was to determine which model of track spike, pyramid, needle, or Christmas tree, has the most traction. It was hypothesized that Christmas tree spikes would have the most traction due to the rigid design. Each spike model was attached to identical wooden blocks and then forced into a Mondo track surface. The wooden blocks were then pulled using a force gauge, and the force required to dislodge the spikes was recorded. Each type of track spike was tested thirty times. A one way analysis of variance test was used to assess the significance of the results. The Christmas tree spikes required the most force to dislodge from the track, an average of 53.153N, indicating that it has the most traction, F(2, 27) = 63.80, p=<0.0001. A Tukey Post Hoc Test concluded that the difference in the force required to dislodge the different track spike models was significant, CD=2.16. The Christmas tree required the most force, needle spikes required the second most amount of force, and pyramid spikes required the least amount of force.