What Research Tells the Coach About Sprinting.

This booklet on sprinting is divided into four chapters. Chapter 1 "Introduction," provides an analysis of the 100-meter dash, summarizes world records, and discusses the reliability of timing the sprint race. Chapter 2, "Describing the Sprinter," discusses the following topics: anatomical characteristics, flexibility, reaction, strength/power, racial comparisons, circulatory characteristics, age and sprinting, body composition, hereditary influences, specificity of speed, sprinting mechanics, and stride length and frequency. Chapter 3, "Physiological Factors Affecting Speed and Its Development," examines speed improvement occurring through physiological changes in muscle and joint tissue, circulation, and the nervous system resulting from commonly used supplementary programs (any program other than sprint training). The final chapter, "Training the Sprinter," analyzes important research in miscellaneous areas that directly affects sprinting speed, supplementary training programs, and the critical area of sprint training programs, which includes sprint-resisted and sprint-assisted training. Lists of references and selected reading conclude each chapter. (JA)