Newtonian Model of an Elite Sprinter: How Much Force do Athletes Need to Produce Each Step to be World Class?

A model is presented of the force and power produced during a world record sprint to provide coaches and athletes with a method to determine how much force to use during strength training and what velocity to train at. In addition to specific velocity of strength training, the coach or athlete can estimate the biomechanical position of the athlete by determining that position for the relevant step so that training can be specific to the movement pattern of actual sprinting. The model is determined by using empirical data to develop relationships between the variables of time, velocity, instantaneous velocity, contact time and distance travelled over each individual step. The formula used for the Newtonian model is applied to an athlete, Matic Osovnikar, and shows weakness in the strength of one particular leg above a certain velocity during steps 6, 8 and 10. The lack of force produced by that leg results in negative velocity of the athlete during steps 8 and 10. From the comparison of data from Matic Osovnikar with the Newtonian model, a suggestion is for the athlete to undertake velocity specific and movement specific strength training of that leg to improve performance during steps 6, 8 and 10. This may improve the overall sprint performance for the athlete.