EXERCISE scientists love to theorise about what makes the world’s best sprinters so fast. Biology is part of the story, but a couple of intriguing recent studies suggested the secret may also lie in the unique limb dynamics sprinters adopt to elevate ground forces with each stride.
The team of Dallas researchers suggested that “elite sprinters don’t use their legs to just bounce off the ground as most other runners do” but flex the knee high before driving the foot into the ground. In short, the fastest men and women hit the ground more forcefully – and fleetingly – than others in relation to their bodyweight.