How Joint Angles Influence Sprint Speed and Performance by Kaitlyn Eger
[This is a guest post by Kaitlyn Eger. Kaitlyn completed her Bachelor’s of Exercise Science degree at Youngstown State University while being a member of the track team. She has earned her Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification from the NSCA and is passionate about strength and conditioning and enhancing sports performance through evidence-based coaching. She recently completed the Applied Sport Science Track of Athletic Lab Coaching Mentorship Program. She will be continuing on to her Masters at Utah State also being apart of the track team for her last two years.] Speed isn't just built in the weight room—it's built through movement. An athlete can become stronger, more powerful, and more explosive, but if their sprint mechanics are inefficient, they will eventually hit a ceiling in performance. Just as proper technique is essential for maximizing strength during a lift, efficient biomechanics are critical for maximizing sprint speed. Oftentimes, a sprinter is already fast, whether you're naturally fast or not, any athlete will want to improve their speed, and to do that you must refine how they move. By analyzing sprint biomechanics, coaches can identify technical deficiencies and make small mechanical adjustments that lead to meaningful improvements in performance. It is best to understand the background, or the “why,” of a movement before doing so; that is where science comes into play. Understanding the biomechanics behind sprinting benefits not only sprinters but also athletes in field and court sports, where acceleration and change of direction are essential. Looking at different joint angles can help find a mechanical advantage for athletes on the field during game status and prevent more injury when it comes to change of direction work. Biomechanics is the scientific study of structure, [...]










