Somatype in Sprinting: How Much is Too Much?

I do think strength training at early levels yields great gains in speed development, but sometimes too much is too much and the added mass backfires. This picture illustrates a lot of what is going on in elite sprinting, and I think Ben Johnson’s squat numbers has hurt sprinting in the US. How much mass and strength is enough? I don’t have the answer, but look at the body types and lifting programs that are successful. No lifting is not the answer, but why is running and sprinting not a primary option? I don’t think that warm weather is the only reason why some of the island programs are doing well, I think that the weightrooms are not air conditioned so guru strength coaches are not springing up. Jokes aside, we need sufficient levels of strength and that is up to the clock to decide what is working.
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Carl Valle

Track & Field Coach

Carl is an expert coach who has produced champions in swimming, track and numerous other sports. He is one of the foremost experts in the fields of nutrition and restoration.