SPRINT RUNNERS' INTENTIONS DURING ACCELERATION AND CHANGES IN THEIR RUNNING SPEED

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between intention during acceleration and changes in running speed during a sprint. Changes in running speed over each entire sprint were measured using a laser distance meter (100 Hz). Seven male sprinters performed two sprints with different intentions during acceleration: in one sprint, sprinters were instructed to immediately reach their maximum speed (ACinst), and in the other, sprinters were instructed to sprint 100 m as in a typical sprint race (ACloo). AClm showed significantly higher values for the upper limit of the sprinter's top speed compared to the ACimt. The ACinst showed significantly higher values for initial acceleration compared to the ACiw. These results suggest that changes in running speed are affected by the intention in the acceleration.