Key to speed? Elite sprinters unlike other athletes, deliver forceful punch to ground
Tuesday, August 26, 2014 - 15:31
in Physics & Chemistry
The world's fastest sprinters have a distinctive ability unlike other runners to attack the ground and attain faster speeds, according to new research. The new findings indicate that sprinters use a combined limb motion and foot-strike mechanism that enhances speed by elevating foot-ground impact forces. "The sprinters we tested all used the same mechanism for maximizing force application and sprinting performance," said the study's lead author.