Max Velocity Sprinting:
The Science of Speed
What’s Inside?
This thesis compiles and simplifies 43 key research studies on max-velocity sprinting into clear, directly applicable coaching insights.
Key Topics Covered:
✔ Ground contact & aerial mechanics – How elite sprinters generate force
✔ Hamstring & hip function – Critical roles in top-speed sprinting
✔ Muscular Contributions – The muscles & their contraction modes that produce speed
✔ Stride length vs. stride frequency – How to balance the two
✔ Joint/Tendon stiffness & power – Optimizing force transfer efficiency at high speeds
✔ Practical takeaways – How to apply this in training & in your coaching
Who Is This For?
Coaches who want an evidence-based framework for the development of speed
Athletes looking to understand the mechanics of elite sprinting
Sport science students who need a clear summary of max-velocity research
This paper was written to meet the requirements for my bachelor’s degree in Sport Science at the University of Vienna.
The goal of this paper was to provide practical, valuable insights for coaches looking to understand the biomechanics of maximum velocity sprinting.
I summarized the majority of available major max velocity sprint literature. After reading this paper you will understand exactly which muscles make humans run fast, how to train them, what the kinematically most efficient running form looks like and what KPI’s to develop in max V sprint training. Everything a coach needs to know before starting top-speed training with athletes.