In the grand scheme of things, the three mile difference between a 100m race and a 5k race does not seem like much. However, the type of runner who excels at the 100m race is not the same type of runner who excels at a 5k. There are clear differences between sprinters and distance runners. Many of these differences can be explained through physical differences (aerobic capacity, muscle size, etc.). One difference that is often overlooked, however, is the running technique of sprinters and distance runners.
A recent study attempted to analyze the different running techniques of sprinters and distance runners. In the study, thirty runners were divided into three groups: 10 sprinters, 10 middle distance runners, and 10 long distance runners. The study’s authors recorded the runners’ stride while they ran twenty-two steps at five different speeds.
Even though each runner ran the same speeds, the long distance runners differed from the middle distance runners and sprinters in the following areas: ground contact time, center of mass separation, stride length, and knee range.
- Contact Time: At each speed, sprinters spent the least amount of time on the ground compared with middle-distance and distance runners.
- Center of Mass Separation: The center of mass separation measures the difference from the toe of the landing foot to the body’s center of mass. At every speed, long-distance runners had a greater center of mass separation.
- Stride Length: Long-distance runners displayed a shorter stride length than sprinters.
- Knee Range: The range of motion of the knee from ground contact to maximum flexion during stance. Sprinters had a smaller knee range than distance runners. The authors theorized that greater leg stiffness for sprinters allows them to spend less time on the ground and generate greater power during toe off.
The separation between sprinters and distance runners is not only rooted in physical differences, but also a fundamental difference in running technique (even at the same running speed).
