Washington: A new study has found that world-class sprinters attack the ground to maximize impact forces and speed.
According to the research by Southern Methodist University, world’s fastest sprinters have unique gait features that account for their ability to achieve fast speeds.
Lead author of the study Ken Clark said that the study has shown that elite sprinters don’t use their legs to just bounce off the ground as most other runners do, instead, they have developed a wind-up and delivery mechanism to augment impact forces.
The study has found that the secret to elite sprinting speeds lies in the distinct limb dynamics sprinters use to elevate ground forces upon foot-ground impact.
The findings have shown that fastest athletes cock the knee high before driving the foot into the ground, while maintaining a stiff ankle, to elevate ground forces by stopping the lower leg abruptly upon impact, which helps them achieve faster speeds.
The study has been published in The Journal of Experimental Biology.