The fastest man in the world is 6 feet 5 inches tall, and following his record of three Olympic gold medals with three world records, a few more taller sprinters are stepping up to the 100 meters. Stride length makes a difference, but further aspects of anthropometrics, the measurement of size and proportion, also influence the speed of a taller person.
Length of Stride
The World's Faster Man as of 2010, 6-foot-5 Usain Bolt, takes 40 to 41 strides in the 100-meter dash. America's fastest man, 5-foot-11, takes 46 to 47 strides at the same distance. The stride definitely provides the taller sprinter with an edge. Generally, height has been seen as a disadvantage for fast running, but if mastered correctly, it can provide an enormous advantage over shorter sprinters.
Biomechanics
Speed is equal to stride length times stride rate. In other words, if the step length can be increased along with speeding up leg turnover, the runner will go faster. According to Newton's Second Law, "The acceleration of the body is proportional to the force produced but inversely proportional to the body mass." This suggests that height and performance have an inverse relationship. In other words, it is tough to produce enough force to overcome the drag of a big body. It is difficult but not impossible.
Advantages
Big guys may have physics working against them, but the formula can be advantageous to taller people. With the ability to create a longer stride length, half of the speed formula is already achieved. Long legs and a stable core, usually an advantage of a shorter runner, add to the capability to run fast.
Disadvantages
Short people are generally more explosive than their lanky friends, which results in a disadvantage in the first half of a race. Tall people have a harder time winning races because it is difficult for them to master the smooth form needed to achieve a speedy leg turnover rate. There needs to be a high skill of coordination so tall runners can use their size as a motor and not as a brake.
Tall Sprinting Form
Taller athletes are generally influenced to pick other sports, like basketball or volleyball. Sprinters are usually compact and muscular, or some changes need to be made. You may have to make some adjustments so your body placement is ideal for sprinting. Sprint to display your height, tall, not as if you are sitting in a chair. Your shoulders need to be in front of your center of gravity and not leaning back. You must also ensure that you are not over-striding and achieve a proper knee lift and heel recovery while running. Your stride length may need to be shortened a step or two, to help quicken your leg speed. Fast running all comes down to the individual with the best top-end speed and speed endurance. That athlete will win the most races. We are unlikely to see taller sprinters in London at the 2012 Olympic Games, but it is a possibility.
References
- "High Performance Sprinting"; Mike Smith; 2005
- "Training for Speed, Agility, and Quickness"; Lee E. Brown, Vance Ferrigno & Juan Carlos Santana ; 2000
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