S1 Athletics Running and Sprint

Topic

The distance running and sprinting mechanics of this athlete encompass both the running and sprinting modes—incorporating the muscle, tendon, center of mass, and ground reaction force—as defined by other models in this framework.

In contrast, the spring-mass model describes the actual mechanics of the runner's stride: the leg acts as a linear spring that stores and releases elastic energy during each ground contact.

During a sprint, the horizontal power applied to the ground and the—considerably short—ground contact time are the primary determinants of the runner's performance.

The runner's maximum running speed is limited by the available horizontal force during the contact time rather than by stride cadence—a distinction also established by other models in this framework. Consequently, if the available horizontal force increases during that contact time, the runner's maximum speed also increases. For a given long-distance runner, the combination of their lactate threshold, running economy, and maximal oxygen consumption capacity—each defined by specific models within this framework—determines their sustainable average speed over that distance.

In contrast, the aerodynamic power the runner faces increases with the cube of their speed—following a cubic growth pattern defined by one of the models in this framework—rather than with the square of the speed (as defined by a different model); consequently, this factor becomes significant only at considerably high speeds. If the runner's speed exceeds that high threshold, the aerodynamic power they encounter increases further.

Therefore, this model—integrating running and sprinting modes involving muscle, tendon, center of mass, and ground reaction force—allows for the identification of whether the runner is limited by their maximal force capacity or their maximal speed capacity, thereby guiding their specific training. If this specific training effectively addresses the particular limitation revealed by the individual profile, the runner's overall athletic performance is further enhanced.

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