Running speed is a critical element in fastpitch softball. This tactical sport places a premium on bunting, slap-hitting and advancing around the base paths by all means possible. Speed is also an important defensive asset for fielders. Players may improve their running ability by refining their mechanics and building strength through resistance training and plyometrics.
The sprinting events include the 100 m, 200 m and 400 m races along with the 400 m relay and 1,600 m relay. The best sprinters have a combination of proper running technique, speed, strength, power and stamina so they finish th...
The force against the ground provides traction and allows a body to "bounce" forward. The relationship between force and running speed is dependent on body weight, gait, stride mechanics and functionality of biological tissues:...
Increasing your speed will make you a better runner overall, assuming you avoid losing your aerobic capacity at the same time. Running faster will improve your leg strength, promote muscle retention and growth, and if you progr...
Certain exercises can improve your speed and quickness while running the 40 yard dash. In addition to sprint exercises, strength training exercises can help you reduce your 40 yard dash time by strengthening your leg and torso ...
If you want to kick up your running program to the next level, speed workouts can help. Running at or near your race pace for a series of intervals can help prepare your body for running faster and stronger in races. In additio...
Fartlek training incorporates changing of speeds during a run, but the term can also be used to describe changes in tempo in other activities. The idea is to throw short bursts of speed into an otherwise easy workout. You can p...
As you lace up on the track and stretch, the running form of others is usually apparent. A runner who takes long strides and pushes off well is likely to be fast, but he can be outdone by a runner with less perfect form. Muscle...
Fartlek training is a free-wheeling, fun and intense interval method of exercising that makes runners and cyclists faster, and has recently been adapted to make bodybuilders bulkier. The premise behind it is more open and intui...
Speed work trains your body to run faster. Running speed is controlled by your brain and nervous system. If you are to run faster, your leg muscles must contract more quickly. Speed work teaches your brain and nervous system to...
As you watch a track meet or running event, you'll notice two distinct body types between the sprinters and marathoners. A sprinter body is built for speed and power while the marathoner is built for long, slow endurance. But t...
In fact, when it comes to burning fat, developing lean muscle and improving your athletic performance, sprinting is one of the best exercises you can do. But getting there isn't easy. Humans today aren't used to sprinting, and ...
Taking part in sports or exercises that involve bursts of speed, such as some types of running, is a risk factor for a groin pull or strain. Others are cold weather, fatigue, overexertion and tight muscles, according to Laurie ...
The purpose of the plantar fascia is to support the arch in the foot, absorbing the strain of flexion and extension when walking, running or jumping. Excessive strain leads to plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammation of the li...
Football is one of the most popular sports in the world. It is a sport that requires long periods of running, jogging and many bursts of speed. Improper preparation for a football match or any sporting event will harmfully effe...
Plyometrics use quick, powerful movements to increase the speed of your muscle contractions and improve sports performance. There are a variety of plyometric exercises you can do to lower your running times and achieve better r...
Someone running their first marathon may hope to improve his endurance so he can just finish the race, but an elite runner in the same race may hope to improve her endurance so she can keep her speed up long enough to win. Whet...
Nutrition is just as important for a runner's performance as running shoes, and several specific foods categories can enhance your running speed and help you achieve your short- or long-distance running goals.
There is no other way to put it. However, because running involves many different muscles in the lower body, you can also use various supplemental exercises to increase your running speed by increasing your lower body strength....
Performing certain strength training exercises in between runs is a good way to increase running speed. These exercises focus on strengthening your push-off motion and running stride length. They will also boost your stride fre...
Running faster will almost always help in their chosen sport. Running speed is often the function of conditioning, technique and effort. In order to get faster, runners can do exercises and drills that will help them move faste...
Missouri offers busy cities filled with fun-filled activities and smaller towns sporting natural settings. Among the lakes, the Ozarks and wooded settings are plenty of recreational fare to keep your family active. Along the wa...
In order to run your fastest, you'll need to build muscles, then train them for power, speed and endurance. Performing only one type of training, or performing the correct exercises at the wrong time of year, won't get out of t...
The ability to start and stop quickly can help all athletes improve their performance and is often the key to winning and losing in sports such as basketball, soccer, football and tennis. Doing exercises with the ladder can hel...
Sprint speed is a key component to all competitive sports, and many people believe that it is an innate ability that cannot be trained. This is unfortunate because anyone who possesses a solid work ethic and the desire to train...
Decreasing your waistline makes you healthier--plain and simple. Health Choice reports that two-thirds of Americans have a problem with belly fat. Although the problem affects more men than women, the female population often fa...
Running is a relaxing and enjoyable workout, and it's natural to develop your favorite routes and to go at a comfortable speed. To get faster, however, you have to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Add these steps to ...
