Understanding Speed Races: Sprints Explained
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsUnderstanding Speed Races: Sprints Explained
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsSPEED RACES
I. Generality
Sprints refer to the races performed over short distances up to
400 m. In French-speaking countries, these are the events of 100, 200, and 400m.
To succeed in speed races, one must reach the finish line as quickly as possible.
high movement speed and to maintain it for as long as possible. This requirement
the technique appeals to the qualities of dynamic strength, velocity, as well as endurance. It is
It is evident that depending on the distance of the event, the relative importance of these two requirements will be
different. The 100 m runner pays special attention to the execution in order to
reach its maximum speed very quickly. The 400m runner will be more concerned with the
maintain the highest speed achieved for as long as possible.
The sprint race is done in lanes. Its internal logic allows each athlete to produce
freely his effort without being hindered by his opponents. When the course includes one or
several turns, the starting point of the runners will be arranged so that everyone will cover the same
distance.
II. Regulatory overview of speed races
The Track
The length of an Olympic track is 400m, it consists of two straight lines and two curves.
It is composed of 8 lanes, each 1.22m wide, marked by white lines 5cm wide, the line
On the right side of each corridor will be included in the measurement of the width of each corridor.
The Race
Each competitor must run in their lane according to the draw from start to finish.
The start must be given by the starter using a pistol. It is preceded by
two (02) commandments 'on your marks and ready'. The last two commandments do not
can only be given if the competitors are stationary. Before the start signal, the athlete has
not allowed to touch or cross the starting line.
Any athlete responsible for a false start will be immediately disqualified. An exception will be
made for the combined events runners where only one false start per race will be tolerated without the
disqualification of the athlete(s) who caused it.
The starting judge must position themselves so they can be seen by the timers. They must wait for the signal.
the chef - timer to give the start.
The time will start from the moment the timer sees the flame or smoke from the pistol.
until the moment the athlete's torso crosses the finish line. If two to three timers
agree and the third differs, the time indicated by the two concordant chronometers
it will be the official time. If three different stopwatches are used, the official time will be the one provided by
the intermediate stopwatch.
If only two different times are available, the longer one will be considered.
as official time.
For a record to be approved, the wind speed must not exceed 2m/sec.
100m and 200m races.
III. Technical overview of the sprint
1. Gait Analysis
Running is a cyclical discipline based on the stride. The latter is the leap taken between
two successive contacts with the ground. It consists of a support phase and a phase of
suspension
a) The support phase
The support phase corresponds to the moment when the runner's foot is in contact with the ground.
During this phase, the runner can therefore maintain, slow down, or strengthen their movement.
This phase is characterized by three successive movements: The damping, the support and the
push
• The amortization phase
• The support
It corresponds to the moment when the center of gravity is directly above the support on the ground. At this moment, the
The whole force is used to support the center of gravity. Support is a privileged moment for
the observation. Indeed, it allows to identify the running posture (the runner is high or low). This
the phase must be as short as possible.
• The thrust
From a mechanical point of view, the thrust starts at the moment of support and ends at
moment when the foot leaves the ground. The component of the forces exerted by the runner on the ground is
oriented in the direction of its movement. It is therefore the exceptional driving moment.
b) The Suspension phase
The suspension starts when the pushing foot leaves the ground and ends at the moment
where the athlete regains their support. During this aerial phase, the runner has no point of contact
with the track.
The placement of the bust and the head does not change, the back leg comes back forward in flexion.
relaxed, the knee of the front leg lowers back down with a flexed foot to make contact with the ground again
the heel. During this phase, oscillations described by the center of gravity are observed, these
Oscillations have a parasitic effect, for this reason they must be reduced to a minimum.
The suspension begins when the pushing foot leaves the ground and ends at the moment
where the athlete resumes their support. During this airborne phase, the runner has no point of contact.
with the track.
The position of the bust and the head does not change, the back leg comes forward in flexion.
relaxed, the knee of the front leg descends again with the foot flexed to make contact with the ground
the heel. During this phase, oscillations described by the center of gravity are observed, these
Oscillations have a parasitic effect; for this reason, they must be minimized.