Sprinting refers to brief high-intensity running at maximal effort. Typically sprinters have lean, defined muscles and lower body fat percentages due to the increased metabolism and muscle resistance caused by sprinting. Learning what muscles are used during a sprint enables you to design a training program geared toward your specific goals.
Quadriceps
Your quadriceps are located on the front of your upper leg and consist of four muscle heads. The four muscle heads consist of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius and the vastus medialis. The entire quadriceps muscle works at high intensities during a sprint to execute knee extension and hip flexion. Your knee joint extends when you straighten your leg during a sprint. Hip flexion occurs when the knee joint raises toward your abdomen during the run.
Glutes
Your glute muscles consist of three components: the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. A sprinter uses his glutes to initiate hip extension. Hip extension refers to the runner kicking his leg back during the sprint.
Hamstrings
The hamstrings muscles are the antagonist to the quadriceps and position on the back of your thigh. The hamstrings work the opposite way compared to quadriceps as they work to perform knee flexion and hip extension during a sprint. The hamstring muscles consist of four heads, the long and short biceps femoris heads, the semitendinosus and semimembranosus.
Abdominals
During an all-out sprint, your abdominal muscles work to stabilize your body. The abdominal muscles consist of the rectus abdominis and inner and outer obliques. Sprinters focus on training their abdominal muscles to increase their performance.
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