Sprinters run at a faster pace for shorter periods than other runners.
Sprinters run short distances at much faster speeds than other runners. Sprinters concern themselves more with the explosive and quick power of their muscles, while runners of longer distances focus more on the ability of their muscles to last without fatigue. Certain muscle groups are more important to sprinters than other types of athletes; according to Spry Feet, the quadriceps femoris, the hamstring and the gluteus maximus, make up the most important lower body muscle groups for sprinting.
Quadriceps
According to Better U, Inc., your quadriceps, or "quads," do not comprise one muscle, but, instead, a group of four muscles on the front of the thigh. They are attached to the tibia from the top of the femur to the knee. The quadriceps function by straightening the knee; one muscle in the group even acts as a hip flexor. For sprinters, the stronger the quadriceps, the more power you can put behind every "step." You can add strength and power to the quadriceps with lunges and squats.
Hamstring
According to ExRx, your hamstring, the back of your thigh, attaches at the back of the femur, and, together with the quadriceps, is responsible for the movement of the knee and some movements of the hip. The inflexibility of the hamstring occurs often in modern societies, ExRx says, because of the use of chairs and lack of manual labor. Yoga and proper stretching can lead to the increase of the flexibility of the hamstring. My Fit suggests squats, hamstring curls and deadlifts to strengthen and increase flexibility of the hamstrings.
Gluteus Maximus
The gluteus maximus, often referred to as "glutes," comprises the largest part of the three gluteal muscles, according to Sports Injury Clinic. Superficially, the gluteus maximus is responsible for the shape of the buttocks; it also allows the hips to extend and controls the external rotation of the hip. When you walk up stairs, you use the gluteus maximus muscle. My Fit recommends deadlifts, squats, and lunges to increase the strength and flexibility of the gluteus maximus muscle, which improves your ability to sprint.
Tags: gluteus maximus, than other, gluteus maximus muscle, increase flexibility, maximus muscle