Sports Performance Analysis:

100m Sprint
by Stephen Bird | Date Released : 15 May 2002
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INTRODUCTION
Many characteristics of the human body play major roles in the
action of sprinting. The apparently simple skill of sprinting is actually
dependent on an athletes ability to combine the actions of the
legs, arms, trunk and so on into a smoothly coordinated whole
(Hay, 1993). We have to consider aspects of human anatomy, such
as body height, stride frequency, stride length, speed, energy
production, somatotype, anthropometry, power and muscle fibre
composition, when analysing such an event. We should also
consider external contributing factors such as footwear, state of
fatigue, injury history, the running surface and variation in
horizontal forces (Hall, 1999), if we are to truly analyze the runner
within the 100-meter sprint.
The 100-meter sprint is naturally an explosive event incorporating
several factors as an athlete moves through the following three
phases:
1.
2.
3.

Acceleration, 0-30m (sub-divided into pure acceleration and

transition).
Maximum Velocity, 30-60m.
Speed Maintenance, 60-100m (Jarver, 1995). The athlete
must continue a cycle of movement throughout the 100 meters
in the fastest possible way. This cycle can be subdivided into the
following:
1.

A supporting phase that begins when the foot lands

and ends when the athletes centre of gravity passes
forward of it.

2.

A driving phase that begins as the supporting phase

ends and ends as the foot leaves the ground.

3.

A recovery phase during which the foot is off the

ground and is being brought forward preparatory to the
next landing.

Throughout this paper, we will analyse the 100-meter sprint,

considering the different aspects of the activity and the ideal
physiological make-up of the sprinter.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE
A review of literature (Baechle 1994; Crowder et al. 1992; Dintiman
et al. 1997; Javer 1995; Tellez 1994) concluded that there are many
factors that determine an athletes success in the 100m sprint,
these include physiological, morphological, and anatomical aspects.
The literature identified seven specific mechanisms of performance.

1. Stride Frequency
It is the belief of Tellez (1984) that the ability to move the legs faster
through the full running motion is limited by the physiology of the
athlete. Each individual has a different ratio of Type II fast twitch
fibres to Type I slow twitch fibres. The higher the ratio of Type II
fibres to Type I fibres, the greater the ability to move quickly.
The identification of biomechanical factors and their effect on stride
frequency is of utmost importance. Tellez (1984) identified improper
technique as the major influence, resulting in slower leg turnover.
For example, a low heel kick on the recovery phase of the stride will
cause the leg lever to lengthen, which will reduce the angular
velocity. Overstriding, projecting the foot too far in front of the body
causes a breaking effect, which will also cause slower leg turnover.
Deshon and Nelson, cited in (Hay, 1993) concluded, efficient
running is characterised byplacement of the foot as closely as
possible beneath the centre of gravity of the runner.

2. Stride Length
With proper technique, a sprinter can achieve optimal stride length.
Dintiman et al. (1997) describes ideal stride length as a length that
is as long as is mechanically efficient, with the foot striking the
ground with the lower leg at 90 to the ground. Flexibility and
strength both influence stride length. If the leg is free to move
through the range of motion, an optimal stride is possible. If the
restricted range of motion is restricted, due to lack of flexibility, the
stride length will be lessened. Likewise, as strength increases, the
amount of force applied to the ground with each stride should
increase, resulting in the sprinter travelling further with each stride.

3. Speed
Baechle (1994) defines speed as the ability to move the body or
body parts through a required range of motion in the fastest
possible time. Speed comprises of reaction time, acceleration,
maximum speed and speed endurance. It can also be considered as
two separate components:
1.
2.

The speed of a single movement (motor speed).

Capacity to move at the highest possible velocity (considered
as acceleration locomotor velocity).

Another desired aspect of speed is increasing the coordination of

muscles. Dintiman et al. (1997) found increases in speed can be
achieved when one contractile force arrives at the peak of velocity
of the previous force, consequently the second force is more
effective. Deshon and Nelson (Hay, 1993) found a significant
positive correlation between (1) the angle the leg made with the
ground at the instant the foot landed; and (2) the speed of running.
The agonistic and antagonistic muscles also become better
coordinated, the antagonists furnish less resistance to the
contractile efforts of the agonists. For an increase in speed in

sprinting, the skills should be practised at rates equal or exceeding

those used in competition.

4. Energy Production
Sprinting requires repeated muscle contractions with ATP needing to
be replenished from other fuel sources. Initially these sources are
found within the muscle, they include ATP-PC (the phosphagen
system) and the lactate system (anaerobic glycolysis). These
systems require no oxygen in order to produce ATP, a third pathway
used to produce ATP is the aerobic system, and this pathway
requires oxygen.
A more recent study (Crowder et al. 1992) determined that the
creatine phosphate and ATP stored within the muscles are sufficient
to enable maximal effort for 5-10 seconds. Beyond this time, energy
is provided by anaerobic glycolysis. One of the by-products of
anaerobic glycolysis is lactic acid, which results in higher muscle cell
and blood acidity. It is important to note that all three systems are
used simultaneously albeit at varying degrees. Crowder et al. (1992)
estimates that during sprint events approximately 95% of energy
production comes via the anaerobic system (85% phosphate, 10%
lactic acid), and only 5% from aerobic oxygen. Thus, the 100m sprint
is an anaerobic event relying heavily on energy supply from the ATPPC system.

5. Somatotype
Somatotyping illustrates general trends of body shape and their
suitability to particular sports. Somatotyping is used to assess the
physical body shape and give a rating from 1 to 7 (least to most
respectively) on the following characteristics - endomorph
(roundness), mesomorph (muscularity) and ectomorph (leanness).
Athletes are given a rating on all three. A study conducted by Pyke
& Watson (1978) suggest that the average somatotype for sprinters

entering the 100m sprint event is 2 : 5.5 : 3 (high in mesomorphy,

low in endomrphy and ectomorphy).

6. Anthropometry
Anthropometry assesses body size and composition with the aim of
determining the compatibility between the athletes body and their
chosen sport. Dintiman et al. (1997) concluded that athletes
possessing shorter legs seem to have an advantage over an athletes
with long legs. The shorter leg is more suited to sprints as - having a
lower point of inertia - it is easier to move than a long leg. This is not
to say that short legs and speed are directly associated, but when
powerful muscles combine with a lower point of inertia, the result is
a faster stride rate (even though stride length may be slightly
reduced).

7. Power
Power is described by Baechle (1994) as the rate at which work can
be done, therefore power = work/time. The more work that can be
done in a given amount of time, the greater the power. The sprinter
out of the blocks at the start of a race exerts great muscle power to
overcome gravity and body inertia in order to reach maximum
velocity. The sprinters task as mentioned by Hall (1999) is to drive
or thrust downward and backward against the ground.
This drive brought about by forceful extension of the hip knee and
ankle joints, causes the body to project forward and upward into the
next stride. Therefore sprinters require power to thrust each
subsequent support leg against the ground and to propel their body
forward. Sprinters with well-developed, strong muscles attached to
shorter limbs promote rapid movements resulting in a great deal of
power.

DISCUSSION

For elite sprinters to run efficiently they require a combination of

physical and physiological characteristics. A greater percentage of
Type II muscle fibres will enhance quicker movements and therefore
increase the overall running speed. Optimal stride length has an
impact on other areas such as speed, reaction and recovery time,
and the rate of acceleration.
Greater relative muscle mass in the thighs with strong quadricep
muscles will result in strong driving forces. Longer legs relative to
body height and shorter thigh length relative to whole leg length is
more suited to sprinters for fast recovery time and easier cyclical
movement. Somatotype primarily of mesomorph is desired, where
muscle mass is the greatest percentage and body fat and leanness
contribute the least. The combination of these factors all play a role
in analysing the performance of a 100m sprinter.
It was assumed that more power generated primarily in the legs
would produce more force and therefore, greater speed. To fully
benefit in the overall performance we found that the percentage of
body fat is preferred to be minimal and the portion of muscle mass
in relation to the rest of the body to be the greatest.
Predicting that a shorter thigh length would be a greater advantage
for the runner was shown to be true as it had a lower point of inertia
and therefore produced an increase in stride rate. In order to
increase the efficiency of a sprinter the above characteristics need
to be considered, and (where physiologically possible) adopted, to
enhance performance.

REFERENCE LIST
1.

Baechle, T.R. (1994). Strength Training and Conditioning.

Human Kinetics: Champaign, IL.

2.

Crowder, L, McKenna, K, & Plummer, L. (1992). Training for the

100m sprint. FIA Journal. Vol. August, pp.29-31.

3.

Dintiman, G, Tellez, T, & Ward, R. (1997). Sports Speed 2nd

Edition. Leisure Press, USA.

4.

Hall, S.J. (1999). Basic Biomechanics 3rd Edition. McGaw-Hill,

Singapore.

5.

Hay, J.G. (1993). The Biomechanics of Sport Techniques 4th

Edition. Prentice Hall Limited, USA.

6.

Jarver, J. (1995). Sprints and Relays: Contemporary Theory,

Technique and Training. Tafnews Press, USA.

7.

Pyke, F, & Watson, G. (1978). Focus on Running. Harper and

Row Publishers, Sydney.

8.

Tellez, T. (1984). Sprint Training - including strength training.

Track & Field Quarterly. Vol. 84, pp.9-12.

Acknowledgments
The author would like to thank Acushla Munday and Colleen Bray for
their contributions in the above work.
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