Speed and Acceleration (L19)

Flashcards covering key concepts and terminology related to speed and acceleration training for athletes.

Speed

The ability to run a specific distance in a specific time.

Genetic makeup

The most important factor influencing an athlete's speed.

Fast-twitch muscle fibers

Muscle fibers that provide a physiological and biomechanical advantage in speed.

Skill and technique

Factors that can influence an athlete's running speed.

Peak velocity

The highest speed reached by an athlete during sprinting.

Acceleration

The ability to increase speed from a start position.

Stride length

The distance from one planted foot to the next step.

Stride rate

The number of steps taken with each leg in a given time.

Velocity

The speed of an athlete, influenced by strength and power.

Anaerobic conditioning

Training aimed at improving an athlete's speed endurance.

Ground contact time

The duration the foot remains in contact with the ground during a sprint.

Drive phase

The initial phase of sprinting where the athlete accelerates.

Support phase

The phase during sprinting from touchdown until the foot leaves the ground.

Recovery phase

The phase that begins as the foot leaves the ground until it returns.

Arm swing drill

A drill designed to enhance proper arm movement in sprinting.

Form starts

Starting position variations used in sprinting drills.

Dorsiflexed position

Foot position where the toes are raised towards the shin.

First Ground Contact

Marks the completion of one stride in sprinting.

Resisted speed training

A training method involving pulling resistance to increase speed.

Assisted speed training

Training that uses an implement to help athletes run faster.

Three Person Tubing Acceleration Drill

A drill designed to improve stride frequency and power using three athletes.

High work to rest ratios

A training principle for speed development to minimize fatigue.

Overspeed training

Training that encourages athletes to run faster than their normal pace.

Maximum velocity training

Training focused on achieving the fastest possible running speed.

Light sled pulls

Resistance training method using a lightweight sled to train speed.

Arm action in sprinting

Proper movement of the arms to support sprinting technique.

Acceleration training

Training aimed at improving the ability to rapidly increase speed.

Stride length-frequency interaction

How stride length and rate change with running velocity.

Sprint training workout

A structured series of drills aimed at improving sprinting performance.

Heel ups

A drill for enhancing foot speed and proper running form.

Drop and Go

A drill emphasizing quick first-step execution.

Bound into run

A drill for developing quickness and dynamic movement into a run.

Lean and Fall run

A drill focusing on posture and initial quickness in running.

Jump and Go

A drill aimed at building explosiveness and speed from a jump.

Scramble Out

A drill focusing on quickness and powerful arm drive during acceleration.

Push up starts

A drill that starts from a push-up position to enhance first-step quickness.

Stride frequency

The rate at which the legs move during sprinting.

Torque theory

The idea that arm swing should assist and generate speed in sprinting.

Foot strike

The point at which the foot makes contact with the ground.

Sprinting mechanics

Biomechanical principles applied to improve sprinting performance.

Obstacle-free surface

The ideal training surface for speed development.

Speed-endurance development

Training focused on maintaining speed over longer durations.