Running over a short distance in a limited period of time
Usain Bolt, world record
holder in 100 m and 200 ♣ m sprints
This sprinter's initial crouch in the blocks allowed
her to preload her muscles and channel the force generated from ♣ this into her first
strides.
Sprinting is running over a short distance at the top-most speed of the body
in a ♣ limited period of time. It is used in many sports that incorporate running,
typically as a way of quickly reaching ♣ a target or goal, or avoiding or catching an
opponent. Human physiology dictates that a runner's near-top speed cannot be ♣ maintained
for more than 30–35 seconds due to the depletion of phosphocreatine stores in muscles,
and perhaps secondarily to excessive ♣ metabolic acidosis as a result of anaerobic
glycolysis.[1]
In athletics and track and field, sprints (or dashes) are races over
short ♣ distances. They are among the oldest running competitions, being recorded at the
Ancient Olympic Games. Three sprints are currently held ♣ at the modern Summer Olympics
and outdoor World Championships: the 100 metres, 200 metres, and 400 metres.
At the
professional level, ♣ sprinters begin the race by assuming a crouching position in the
starting blocks before driving forward and gradually moving into ♣ an upright position as
the race progresses and momentum is gained. The set position differs depending on the
start. The ♣ use of starting blocks allows the sprinter to perform an enhanced isometric
preload; this generates muscular pre-tension which is channeled ♣ into the subsequent
forward drive, making it more powerful. Body alignment is of key importance in
producing the optimal amount ♣ of force. Ideally, the athlete should begin in a 4-point
stance and drive forwards, pushing off using both legs for ♣ maximum force production.[2]
Athletes remain in the same lane on the running track throughout all sprinting
events,[1] with the sole ♣ exception of the 400 metres indoors. Races up to 100 metres
are largely focused upon acceleration to an athlete's maximum ♣ speed.[2] All sprints
beyond this distance increasingly incorporate an element of endurance.[3]
History [
edit ]
The stadion of ancient Nemea, Greece.
The ♣ first 13 editions of the Ancient
Olympic Games featured only one event—the stadion race, which was a sprinting race from
♣ one end of the stadium to the other.[4] The Diaulos (Δίαυλος, "double pipe") was a
double-stadion race, c. 400 metres ♣ (1,300 feet), introduced in the 14th Olympiad of the
ancient Olympic Games (724 BC).
Sprint races were part of the original ♣ Olympic Games in
the 7th century B.C. as well as the first modern Olympic Games which started in the
late ♣ 19th century (Athens 1896)[5] and featured the 100 meters and 400 meters. Athletes
started both races from a crouched start ♣ (4-point stance). In both the original
Olympics and the modern Olympics, only men were allowed to participate in track and
♣ field until the 1928 games in Amsterdam, Netherlands.[6] The 1928 games were also the
first games to use a 400-meter ♣ track, which became the standard for track and
field.
The modern sprinting events have their roots in races of imperial measurements
♣ which were later altered to metric: the 100 m evolved from the 100-yard dash,[7] the
200 m distance came from ♣ the furlong (or 1⁄8 mile),[8] and the 400 m was the successor
to the 440-yard dash or quarter-mile race.[1]
Technological advances ♣ have always
improved sprint performances (i.e., starting blocks, synthetic track material, and shoe
technology). In 1924, athletes used a small ♣ shovel to dig holes to start the race. The
world record in the 100-meter dash in 1924 was 10.4 seconds, ♣ while in 1948, (the first
use of starting blocks) was 10.2 seconds, and was 10.1 seconds in 1956. The constant
♣ drive for faster athletes with better technology has brought man from 10.4 seconds to
9.58 seconds in less than 100 ♣ years.
Track events were measured with the metric system
except for the United Kingdom and the United States until 1965 and ♣ 1974 respectively.
The Amateur Athletic Association (AAU)[citation needed] decided to switch track and
field in the U.S. to the metric ♣ system to finally make track and field internationally
equivalent.
Biological factors for runners [ edit ]
Biological factors that determine a
sprinter's ♣ potential include:
Competitions [ edit ]
Start of the women's 60 m at the
2010 World Indoor Championships
Common contemporary distances [ edit ♣ ]
Normally run
indoors, on a straight section of an indoor athletic track.
Some of the fastest humans
reach their maximum speed ♣ around the 60-metre mark.
60-meters is often used as an
outdoor distance by younger athletes when starting sprint racing.
Note: Indoor
distances ♣ are less standardized, as many facilities run shorter or occasionally longer
distances depending on available space. 60 m is the ♣ championship distance.
Takes place
on the straight of a standard outdoor 400 m track.
Often, the world-record holder in
this race is ♣ considered "the world's fastest man/woman."
Primarily an outdoor race.
A
200 m bend
Begins on the curve of a standard track (where the ♣ runners are staggered in
their starting position, to ensure that they all run the same distance), and ends on
the ♣ home straight.
Competed both indoors and outdoors, with only slightly slower times
than outdoors.
Runners are staggered in their starting positions to ♣ ensure that
everyone runs the same distance.
Competed both indoors and outdoors, with only slightly
slower times than outdoors.
Runners are staggered ♣ in their starting positions to ensure
that everyone runs the same distance.
Runners use acceleration zones and exchange zones
to pass ♣ a baton
Runners are staggered in their starting positions to ensure that
everyone runs the same distance.
Runners use exchange zones to ♣ pass a baton.
Typically,
the final race at track meets.
Historical and uncommon distances [ edit ]
50 yards
(45.72 m) [ edit ♣ ]
The event was a common event for most American students because it
was one of the standardized test events as ♣ part of the President's Award on Physical
Fitness.[12]
50 m [ edit ]
The 50 metres is an uncommon event and alternative ♣ to the 60
metres. Donovan Bailey holds the men's world record with a time of 5.56 seconds and
Irina Privalova ♣ holds the women's world record with a time of 5.96 seconds.
60 yards
(54.864 m) [ edit ]
A rarely run sprinting ♣ event that was once more commonplace. The
world record time of 5.99 is held by Lee McRae and was set ♣ in 1987. The time is often
used for American Football speed training.
55 m [ edit ]
The 55 metres is an ♣ uncommon
event that resulted from the metrication of the 60 yards and is an alternative to the
60 metres.
70 Yards ♣ [ edit ]
An extremely rare sprinting event, that was occasionally
run in the 1960s. The world record of 6.90 is ♣ held by Bob Hayes.
100 yards (91.44 m) [
edit ]
The outdoor standard in the English (imperial measured) speaking world. It ♣ was
part of the Commonwealth Games up until 1966 and was the premier event in American high
school sprinting until ♣ the NFHS changed to metric in 1980, now only a secondary
distance to the 100 metres.
The unofficial World Record Holder ♣ is Jamaican Asafa Powell
with a time of 9.07 seconds.
150 m [ edit ]
150 metres final at the Manchester City
♣ Games 2009
Stadion [ edit ]
A race scene from Ancient Greece, originally represented on
a Panathenaic amphora
The stadion, also known as ♣ the stade, was the standard short
distance sprint in ancient Greece and ran the length of a stadium. However, stadiums
♣ could vary in size and there was apparently no definite standard length for them, e.g.,
the stadium at Delphi measures ♣ 177 m and the one at Pergamon 210 m.[15]
300 m [ edit
]
The 300 metres is another informal distance, which ♣ could be used to aid a 200 m
runner's stamina, or a 400 m runner's speed. Currently, the world's best ♣ for this event
is 30.81 seconds, set by Wayde van Niekerk in Ostrava, Czech Republic in 2024.[16] The
women's record ♣ is 35.30 seconds, set by Ana Guevara at altitude in Mexico City in 2003.
Junior girls in several countries run ♣ this distance instead of the 400 metres.
Diaulos
[ edit ]
The diaulos was an event contested in the Ancient Greek Olympia ♣ that was
double the length of a stadion.
Runners are staggered in their starting positions to
ensure that everyone runs the ♣ same distance.
Runners use acceleration zones and
exchange zones to pass a baton
Equipment [ edit ]
Shoes [ edit ]
Typically, a sprinter
♣ only needs two types of shoes, training shoes and sprinting spikes.[17]
Sprinting
spikes are typically designed to be lightweight, with a ♣ minimal cushion on the heels
and a plate on the forefoot to keep the runner on the toes of each ♣ foot. The spike
plate will typically have the maximum number of holes for metal spikes to be inserted
to keep ♣ a proper grip on the track surface. These metal removable spikes also come in
varying sizes. The spikes typically range ♣ from 4 mm to 15 mm and come in different
styles. Most facilities have specific requirements for what size and ♣ style spikes can
be used.[18]
[19] Starting Blocks [ edit ]
Starting blocks are not a necessity but are
highly suggested for ♣ use in sprinting events. Starting blocks are a piece of equipment
that typically consists of foot pads attached to a ♣ central rail. The point of using
blocks is to help the athlete push themselves further down the track as quickly ♣ as
possible.
Place heel slightly on the starting line
Place the blocks in the center of
the track, approximately where your toe ♣ is.
The dominant foot will be in the front
block. With the paddle being set at 45 degrees
The front block will ♣ be about 1 3 ⁄ 4 -2
foot lengths from the starting line.
-2 foot lengths from the starting line. The
♣ non-dominant foot will be in the back block. The paddle will be set as high as
possible.
The back block will ♣ be set about 3-3 1 ⁄ 2 foot lengths from the starting
line.
foot lengths from the starting line. The front ♣ block and back block are only
about 1-foot in length apart.
The toes should barely touch the ground.
Hands will be
placed ♣ about shoulder-width apart, with the thumb and pointer finger slightly behind
the line.
Arms should be in a straight position (locked ♣ or prepared to be locked at the
elbows)
The arms will remain straight (if not locked at the elbows)
The hips will ♣ rise
slightly above the shoulders (forcing the front half of the body to lean forward at
about 45 degrees (slightly ♣ less)).
A forward lean is optimal because it shifts most of
the weight to the hands with a minimal bend to ♣ the back.
The dominant leg should have
about a 90-degree bend at the knee, while the non-dominant leg should be about ♣ 120
degrees
The arm on the dominant foot side will swing forward in an "exaggerated"
fashion, while the arm on the ♣ non-dominant side will swing backward in the same
fashion
The non-dominant foot will be the first step.
The non-dominant leg should come
♣ out with a long (within comfort's range) stride, bringing the knee to a 90-degree
position (separation of the foot and ♣ opposite leg's knee about 2-2 1 ⁄ 2 feet),
approximately a 45-degree shin angle, and dorsiflexion with each stride.
feet),
approximately ♣ a 45-degree shin angle, and dorsiflexion with each stride. Halfway before
the first step lands, the "driving" position should have ♣ a straight line through the
non-dominant ankle, knee, hips, shoulders, and head.
Baton [ edit ]
The baton is a
required element ♣ for any relay race. The baton is passed to each athlete through
different exchange zones, with different techniques. Typically, about ♣ 1 foot (0.30 m)
and 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter.
Timing [ edit ]
Stopwatches [ edit ]
Used
typically in training ♣ sessions to measure relative times and recovery times.
Stopwatches are not always the most accurate way to measure times in ♣ a race
setting,
Fully Automatic Timing / Gate Systems [ edit ]
Fully Automatic Timing (FAT)
and gate systems are used to ♣ accurately measure races, with results as accurate as up
to 1/1000 of a second.[21]
Governing Bodies [ edit ]
As of 2024, ♣ World Athletics (WA)
[22] is the governing body for track and field around the world. Every country that
wishes to ♣ participate in WA competitions must become a member.[23]
Rules [ edit ]
Rule
differences with each Governing Bodies [ edit ]
Each governing ♣ body sets its own rules
for how competition is deemed fair. World Athletics sets the competition rules
internationally. The World ♣ Athletics rulebook[24] is broken into 4 separate books.
The
start [ edit ]
Jeremy Wariner beginning a race from the starting blocks
Starting ♣ blocks
are used for all competition sprints (up to and including 400 m) and relay events
(first leg only, up ♣ to 4x400 m).[25] The starting blocks consist of two adjustable
footplates attached to a rigid frame. Races commence with the ♣ firing of the starter's
gun.[25] The starting commands are "On your marks" and "Set".[25] Once all athletes are
in the ♣ set position, the starter's gun is fired, officially starting the race. For the
100 m, all competitors are lined up ♣ side by side. For the 200 m, 300 m, and 400 m,
which involve curves, runners are staggered for the ♣ start.
In the rare event that there
are technical issues with a start, a green card is shown to all the ♣ athletes. The green
card carries no penalty. If an athlete is unhappy with track conditions after the "on
your marks" ♣ command is given, the athlete must raise a hand before the "set" command
and provide the Start referee with a ♣ reason. It is then up to the Start referee to
decide if the reason is valid. If the Start referee ♣ deems the reason invalid, a yellow
card (warning) is issued to that particular athlete. If the athlete is already on ♣ a
warning, the athlete is disqualified.
False starts [ edit ]
Sprint lanes in
Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, as seen from the 100 m ♣ starting point
According to the World
Athletics (WA) rules, "An athlete, after assuming a full and final set position, shall
not ♣ commence his starting motion until after receiving the report of the gun or
approved starting apparatus. If, in the judgement ♣ of the Starter or Recallers, he does
so any earlier, it shall be deemed a false start."[25]
The 100 m Olympic ♣ gold and
silver medallist Linford Christie of Great Britain famously had frequent false starts
that were marginally below the legal ♣ reaction time of 0.1 seconds. Christie and his
coach, Ron Roddan, both claimed that the false starts were due to ♣ Christie's
exceptional reaction times being under legal time. His frequent false starting
eventually led to his disqualification from the 1996 ♣ Summer Olympics 100 m final in
Atlanta, the US, due to a second false start by Christie. Since January 2010, ♣ under WA
rules, a single false start by an athlete resulted in disqualification.
In 2012, a new
development to the false ♣ start rule was added. Because certain athletes could be
disqualified for twitching in the starting blocks, but some athletes could ♣ make a
twitch without the starter noticing and disqualifying the athlete, it was decided that
twitching in the starting block ♣ while being in the 'set' position would only carry a
maximum penalty of a yellow card or a warning. To ♣ instantly be disqualified for a false
start, an athlete's hands must leave the track or their feet must leave the ♣ starting
blocks, while the athlete is in their final 'set' position.[26]
Lanes [ edit ]
The
finish of the 1987 East German ♣ athletics championships
For all Olympic sprint events,
runners must remain within their pre-assigned lanes, which measure 1.22 metres (4 feet)
wide, ♣ from start to finish.[27] The lanes can be numbered 1 through 8, 9, or rarely 10,
starting with the inside ♣ lane. Any athlete who runs outside the assigned lane to gain
an advantage is subject to disqualification. If the athlete ♣ is forced to run outside of
his or her lane by another person, and no material advantage is gained, there ♣ will be
no disqualification. Also, a runner who strays from his or her lane in the
straightaway, or crosses the ♣ outer line of his or her lane on the bend, and gains no
advantage by it, will not be disqualified ♣ as long as no other runner is obstructed.
The
finish [ edit ]
The first athlete whose torso reaches the vertical plane ♣ of the closest
edge of the finish line is the winner. To ensure that the sprinter's torso triggers the
timing ♣ impulse at the finish line rather than an arm, foot, or other body parts, a
double Photocell is commonly used. ♣ Times are only recorded by an electronic timing
system when both of these Photocells are simultaneously blocked. Photo finish systems
♣ are also used at some track and field events.
[28] World Records [ edit ]
Women's World
Records Discipline Performance Competitor Country ♣ Venue Date 50 meters 5.96 Irina
Privalova[29] RUS[30] Madrid (ESP) 09 FEB 1995 60 meters 6.92 Irina Privalova[29]
RUS[30] Madrid ♣ (ESP) 09 FEB 1995 100 meters 10.49 Florence Griffith-Joyner[31] USA[32]
Indianapolis, IN (USA) 16 JUL 1988 200 meters (indoors) 21.87 ♣ Merlene Ottey[33] JAM[34]
Lievin (FRA) 13 FEB 1993 200 meters (outdoors) 21.34 Florence Griffith-Joyner[31]
USA[32] Olympic Stadium, Jamsil, Seoul (KOR) ♣ 29 SEP 1988 400 meters (indoors) 49.26
Femke Bol[35] NLD Omnisport, Apeldoorn (NLD) 19 FEB 2024 400 meters (outdoors) 47.60
♣ Marita Koch[36] GDR Bruce Stadium, Canberra (AUS) 06 OCT 1985 4x100 meter relay 40.82
Tianna Bartoletta,[37] Allyson Felix,[38] Bianca Knight,[39] ♣ Carmelita Jeter[40]
USA[32] Olympic Stadium, London (GBR) 10 AUG 2012 4x200 meter relay (indoors) 1:32.41
Yuliya Gushchina,[41] Yuliya Pechonkina,[42] Irina ♣ Khabarova,[43] Yekaterina
Kondratyeva[44] RUS[30] Glasgow (GBR) 29 JAN 2005 4x200 meter relay (outdoors) 1:27.46
Marion Jones,[45] Nanceen Perry,[46] LaTasha Colander,[47] ♣ LaTasha Jenkins[48] USA[32]
Philadelphia, PA (USA) 29 APR 2000 4x400 meter relay (indoors) 3:23.37 Yuliya
Gushchina,[41] Olga Kotlyarova,[49] Olga Zaytseva,[50] ♣ Olesya Krasnomovets-Forsheva[51]
RUS[30] Glasgow (GBR) 28 JAN 2006 4x400 meter relay (outdoors) 3:15.17 Tatyana
Ledovskaya,[52] Olga Nazarova,[53] Mariya Pinigina,[54] Olga ♣ Bryzgina[55] URS Olympic
Stadium, Jamsil, Seoul (KOR) 01 OCT 1988
Men's World Records Discipline Performance
Competitor Country Venue Date 50 meters ♣ 5.56 Donovan Bailey[56] CAN[57] Reno, NV (USA)
09 FEB 1996 60 meters 6.34 Christian Coleman[58] USA[32] Albuquerque, NM (USA) 18 ♣ FEB
2024 100 meters 9.58 Usain Bolt[59] JAM[34] Olympiastadion, Berlin (GER) 16 AUG 2009
200 meters (indoors) 19.92 Frank Fredericks[60] ♣ NAM[61] Liévin (FRA) 18 FEB 1996 200
meters (outdoors) 19.19 Usain Bolt[59] JAM[34] Olympiastadion, Berlin (GER) 20 AUG 2009
400 ♣ meters (indoors) 44.57 Kerron Clement[62] USA[32] Fayetteville, AR (USA) 12 MAR
2005 400 meters (outdoors) 43.03 Wayde Van Niekerk[63] RSA[64] ♣ Estádio Olímpico, Rio de
Janeiro (BRA) 14 AUG 2024 4x100 meter relay 36.84 Nesta Carter,[65] Michael Frater,[66]
Yohan Blake,[67] Usain ♣ Bolt[59] JAM[34] Olympic Stadium, London (GBR) 11 AUG 2012 4x200
meter relay (indoors) 1:22.11 John Regis,[68] Ade Mafe,[69] Darren Braithwaite,[70]
♣ Linford Christie[71] GBR[72] Glasgow (GBR) 03 MAR 1991 4x200 meter relay (outdoors)
1:18.63 Nickel Ashmeade,[73] Warren Weir,[74] Jermaine Brown,[75] Yohan ♣ Blake[67]
JAM[34] T. Robinson Stadium, Nassau (BAH) 24 MAY 2014 4x400 meter relay (indoors)
3:01.51 Amere Lattin,[76] Obi Igbokwe,[77] Jermaine ♣ Holt,[78] Kahmari Montgomery[79]
USA[32] Clemson, SC (USA) 09 FEB 2024 4x400 meter relay (outdoors) 2:54.29 Michael
Johnson,[80] Harry "Butch" Reynolds,[81] ♣ Quincy Watts,[82] Andrew Valmon[83] USA[32]
Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion, Stuttgart (GER) 22 AUG 1993
Mixed World Records Discipline
Performance Competitor Country Venue Date ♣ 4x400 meter relay mixed 3:08.80 Justin
Robinson, Rosey Effiong, Matthew Bowling, Alexis Holmes USA[32] National Athletics
Centre, Budapest (HUN) 19 ♣ AUG 2024
Sprint training [ edit ]
While genetics play a large
role in one's ability to sprint,[84][85][86] athletes must be dedicated ♣ to their
training to ensure that they can optimize their performances. Sprint training includes
various running workouts, targeting acceleration, speed ♣ development, speed endurance,
special endurance, and tempo endurance. Additionally, athletes perform intense strength
training workouts, as well as plyometric or ♣ jumping workouts. Collectively, these
training methods produce qualities that allow athletes to be stronger, and more
powerful, in hopes of ♣ ultimately running faster.[87]
See also [ edit ]
