100-m Dash Research Articles

Differences Between the Elite and Subelite Sprinters in Kinematic and Dynamic Determinations of Countermovement Jump and Drop Jump

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between selected variables of lower extremities explosive power measured via countermovement jump (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ) and sprinting ability over 60- and 100-m dash. Twelve national-level Slovenian sprinters were assigned to 2 groups: elite (n = 6) and subelite (n = 6). The grouping criterion was performance in 60 and 100 m in official competition. Biomechanical parameters of both jumps were measured with the use of bipedal force platform and a system of 9 infraspectral charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras with a 200 Hz frequency. Differences between the groups of sprinters were examined with the use of repeated-measures analysis of variance. In CMJ, the differences (p < 0.05) between the groups were revealed in take off velocity (elites = 3.23 m · s, subelites = 2.94 m·s), height of the jump, vertical velocity of body center of gravity, and the impulse of force in the concentric phase of the jump (concentric impulse: elites = 123.91 N · s; subelites = 108.06 N · s). In the DJ, elite and subelite sprinters differentiated in the realization of movement velocity in the eccentric and concentric phases (take off velocity: elites = 3.18 m · s, subelites = 2.87 m · s; eccentric velocity: elites = 3.05 m · s, subelites = 2.81 m · s). This investigation provides evidence that vertical jumps and DJs are very important tools to meet the demands of sprint training according eccentric-concentric muscular work. The DJ showed better quality than CMJ in the neuromuscular specificity.

Grey Relational Analysis on Different Phases of Men's 100m Dash

With the help of the grey relational analysis, the purpose of this study was to find the principal factors in the different phases of Mens 100m Dash. Data in the split times (sec) were from 14 results of mens 100m dash in the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, all the results were less or within 10 second, and then subjected to the grey relational analysis. According to the GRG and GRW, the most important factors of 100m dash are phases of high speed (T40~60m; GRG0.9226 and GRW19.24%), transition (T20~40m; GRG0.9132 and GRW19.04%) and maximizing speed (T60~80m; GRG0.9047 and GRW18.86%); the more important factor is the phase of maintaining speed (T80~100m; GRG0.8990 and GRW18.74%); and the less important factors are the phases of the start (RT; GRG0.5551 and GRW11.57%) and acceleration (T0~20m; GRG0.6018 and GRW12.55%). The study indicates the most important running phase is the high speed (T40~60m), but the transition phase (T20~40m) was provided with the more important influence to the course of 100m dash, even than that of maintaining speed phase, which is the most underappreciated phase. Therefore, sprinters need to focus on the phase and take a lot of discipline to improve upon it.

What Makes Usain Bolt Unique as a Sprinter?

For both casual and avid fans alike, Olympic and other sporting events can provide a wealth of data for simple physics analyses. One of the most impressive performances in recent Olympic history is that of Usain Bolt in the track-and-field sprinting events during the 2008 Summer Games. Over a seven-day span, Bolt set world records in the 100-m and 200-m individual sprints and in the 4 × 100-m sprint relay. In addition, Bolt left us all wondering what record time he might have run had he not eased into the finish line in the 100-m dash. Naturally, one question many fans and observers immediately ask is: What makes Usain Bolt unique as a sprinter?

The Acute Effects of Static Stretching on the Sprint Performance of Collegiate Men in the 60- and 100-m Dash After a Dynamic Warm-Up

Previous research has shown that static stretching has an inhibitory effect on sprinting performances up to 50 m. The purpose of this study was to see what would happen to these effects at longer distances such as those seen in competition. This study used a within-subjects design to investigate the effects of passive static stretching vs. no stretching on the 60- and 100-m sprint performance of college track athletes after a dynamic warm-up. Eighteen male subjects completed both the static stretching and the no stretching conditions in counterbalanced order across 2 days of testing. On each day, all subjects first completed a generalized dynamic warm-up routine that included a self-paced 800-m run, followed by a series of dynamic movements, sprint, and hurdle drills. At the end of this generalized warm-up, athletes were assigned to either a static stretching or a no-stretching condition. They then immediately performed 2 100-m trials with timing gates set up at 20, 40, 60, and 100 m. Results revealed a significant slowing in performance with static stretching (p < 0.039) in the second 20 (20-40) m of the sprint trials. After the first 40 m, static stretching exhibited no additional inhibition of performance in a 100-m sprint. However, although there was no additional time loss, athletes never gained back the time that was originally lost in the first portion of the trials. Therefore, in strict terms of performance, it seems harmful to include static stretching in the warm-up protocol of collegiate male sprinters in distances up to 100 m.

How fast could Usain Bolt have run? A dynamical study

Since that memorable day at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, a big question has been, “What would the 100m dash world record have been had Usain Bolt not celebrated at the end of his race?” Bolt’s coach suggested that the time could have been 9.52s or better. We consider this question by measuring Bolt’s position as a function of time using footage of the run, and then extrapolate the last 2s with two different assumptions. First, we conservatively assume that Bolt could have maintained the runner-up’s acceleration during the end of the race. Second, based on the race development prior to the celebration, we assume that Bolt could have kept an acceleration of 0.5m∕s2 greater than the runner-up. We find that the new world record in these two cases would have been 9.61±0.04 and 9.55±0.04s, respectively, where the uncertainties denote 95% statistical errors.

The 100-meter dash: Theory and experiment

This note outlines the theory regarding the position and velocity associated with the 100-m dash. The theory is applied to data produced by world-class sprinters as well as students with little formal training in sprinting. Inexpensive computer software is used to analyze the data to verify the outcome of these races so as to comment on the accuracy of the theory.

Power Patterns of the Leg during the Recovery Phase of the Sprinting Stride for Advanced and Intermediate Sprinters

This paper describes and interprets joint and segmental power patterns as functional characteristics of the leg movement in terms of generation, absorption, and transfer of power during the recovery phase of the sprinting stride. In addition, a comparison of the power patterns between advanced and intermediate sprinters was undertaken. Two advanced and two intermediate sprinters, each executing six trials of a 100-m dash, served as subjects. The results revealed that the power patterns for both the advanced and intermediate sprinters were similar in shape, depicting the same number of power phases. The hip joint musculature acted primarily as a power generator in comparison to the knee muscles, which acted mainly as absorbers (controllers) during the recovery phase of the sprinting stride. Differences between ability levels were identified using peak power values, with the advanced sprinters producing higher peak powers earlier in the recovery phase.

A Biomechanical Analysis of the Running Pattern of Blind Athletes in the 100-m Dash

The purpose of this study was to investigate selected kinematic variables of two classes of blind runners, B-1 and B-3, in the 100-m dash. A total of 26 males served as subjects and were filmed in actual competition at the 1984 International Games for the Disabled. Filming was conducted at 150 frames per second with the camera positioned perpendicular to the plane of motion. Kinematic data extracted from the film included center of gravity, displacements, velocities, and selected joint angles. It was believed that the results of this study would be useful for (a) establishing some descriptive data of blind athletes in B-1 and B-3 classes, (b) understanding individual differences among blind runners of two different classifications, and (c) providing empirical data of the running patterns from which implications for the development of teaching/coaching methods might be gained.

Fitting Mathematical Functions to Growth and Developmental Distance Curves of Physical Fitness

This study was designed to describe the growth and developmental distance curves of some physical fitness attributes chosen. The physical fitness attributes chosen were body linearity measured by stature, muscular strength by back strength, explosive strength and jumping ability by standing long jump, throwing ability by softball throw for distance, and running ability by 100m dash. These growth and developmental distance curves for 30 years could be described with considerably high precision by composite of three different functions; logistic function and 4th-degree polynomial for all attributes, and one of 2nd-degree polynomial, a type of truncated probability function and single vibration function. Then, each of these functions used was likely to reflect the nature of growth and developmental distance trend due to aging from childhood to maturity. The studies of this type have been reported only for physique attributes, so this was the first attempt regarding to physical fitness attributes.

The influence of apparel on aerodynamic drag in running.

The aerodynamic drag associated with three types of commercially available running apparel (SS : nylon singlet and shorts ; L : nylon/spandex bodysuit and RS : nylon rainsuit) and two bodysuits of newly developed stretchable, water vapour permeable fabrics (T and K) was measured in a wind tunnel on a mannequin at four velocities (4.7, 7.1, 8.8 and 9.7m.sec-1). The effect of apparel on drafting efficiency was also examined by positioning a human subject on various grid coordinates around the mannequin and alternating the apparel worn by the subject and mannequin. Commercially available running apparel caused consistently higher drag than the T and K bodysuits. Under all conditions the high sheen and tight fit of the K fabric allowed drag reductions of between 17.5 and 7.4% at running speeds. A hood over the hair was responsible for 6 of the 7.4% reduction in drag noted with the K suit. It is estimated that reduction in drag of this degree provide real time savings of between 1.05% in the marathon to 2.75% in the 100m dash. A field trial of the K suit with 16 male subjects (mean age : 22 years) revealed a significant (p≤ .025) decrease in 100m running time amounting to a time saving of 1.17% at a velocity of 7.43m·sec-1. Results of the drafting investigations suggested that 1.0m is the optimal distance to draft behind a lead runner. At a forward velocity of 7.Im·sec-1 this practice provided a 62.7% reduction in drag. Further reductions in drag were possible if the following runner was clothed in the K apparel. Practical race strategies are suggested by these results and by the observation that running abreast a lead runner results in a larger shared drag than would be encountered by either runner alone.

The effect of athletic clothing aerodynamics upon running speed

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the wind resistance of athletic clothing upon running speed in sprinting and in distance running. Wind tunnel tests of clothing materials, hair, and shoes show that it is possible to lower the wind resistance of a runner from about 0.5% to over 6% by improved aerodynamics. Mathematical models of sprinting and distance running are developed to predict the effect of lower wind resistance upon race times. By lowering the wind resistance of a runner 2%, the models predict the effect of lower wind resistance upon race times. By lowering the wind resistance of a runner 2%, the models predict time savings from 0.01 s in the 100-m dash to 5.7 s in the marathon. This is the equivalent of lead distances of about 0.1 to 31 m. The sprint model may be used to predict the effect of altitude upon running speed. At the altitude of Mexico City, the model predicts an improvement of 0.08 s in 100 m and 0.16 s in 200 m. This is conservative compared to actual time savings. The results show that it is possible to lower the wind resistance significantly by improving clothing or by trimming or covering the hair, and that a small aerodynamic drag reduction can result in a significant performance increase.

Predicting sprint dynamics from maximum-velocity measurements

Following Furusawa et al., the linearized Hill force-velocity curve is used to derive dimensionless position-time and velocity-time equations for sprint acceleration. Arguments are presented to show that the horizontal force is essentially constant, and thus only the maximum velocity v 0 is required to predict the runner's performance. Experimentally, 12 different stride parameters are presented for each of 43 individuals. Regression equations show that stride length S 0 is well correlated with v 0. Theory is compared with the experiments of Best and Partridge and also the 1984 world records for sprinters. One practical application of this work is that track coaches can now obtain both force and peak-velocity information by recording distance and elapsed time for two or more intermediate- length dashes. Data from Evelyn Ashford, world record holder in the 50-yd, the 60-yd, and the 100-m dash show that h =0.742 mg and ν 0=10.78 m/sec. The dimensionless position number gx ν 2 0 and the dimensionless time number gt ν 0 allow us to plot all individuals on the same graph for sprints less than the fatigue distance, showing adequate agreement between theory and experiment.

The Exploration Decision: How Much Skill? How Much Luck?: ABSTRACT

Winning or losing on a simple flip of a fair coin has nothing to do with skill and absolutely everything to do with luck. Calling the flip should be one of the lowest paying jobs around, as no schooling whatsoever is required--a monkey in the zoo would suffice. Winning the 100-m dash at the Olympics has virtually everything to do with skill--reaction to the starting gun, the start, leg and arm motion, and concentration, for example. The exploration decision (with elements of both luck and skill) requires a mixture of several talents if it is to bring forth the highest satisfaction, however measured: organizational abilities, factual knowledge, odds (chance) knowledge, calculation/assimilation knowledge, information integration skills, and perhaps even some mysticism. We want to examine the exploration decision process in a way that will allow us to get a better handle on the worth of these talents and the value of the information they deliver. If we fail to come up with anything better, we can always award the decision job to the (choose one): (a) best salesman, (b) best dresser, (c) best oil finder, (d) nearest engineer, (e) most charismatic, (f) banker's nephew, (g) Bozo, the Gorilla. End_of_Article - Last_Page 459------------