A new international study challenges long-held assumptions about why elite sprinters are so fast. The findings provide a new perspective that could reshape the way Australia discovers and develops the next generation of speed athletes.
Published in sports medicine,This study focuses on sprints through a dynamic systems approach. Rather than pointing to one ideal running technique, this paper argues that speed is increased through the interaction of an athlete’s body, environment, and training background.
Why different sprinters move differently
The research was led by Flinders University in collaboration with researchers from ALTIS, Johannes Gutenberg University and Nord University. This shows that factors such as coordination, muscle strength, limb mechanics, and personal physical characteristics all combine to influence how a person runs. This helps explain why elite sprinters look so different from each other at top speed.
Lead author Dr Dylan Hicks, an exercise scientist at the Flinders School of Education, Psychology and Social Work, said the results challenged the long-held belief that all athletes should be coached towards a single technical model.
“For decades, sprint coaching has often been based on the belief that all athletes should move in one prescribed way,” says Dr. Hicks.
“But our research shows that sprinting is much more complex. The world’s best athletes don’t all run the same way. What they share is not one technique, but the ability to organize their bodies efficiently under pressure, and that seems to vary from sprinter to sprinter.”
Gout Gout shows the power of personal strength
One example highlighted in this study is up-and-coming Australian sprinter Gout Gout. His stride length, power, and neuromuscular control set him apart.
He is often compared to Usain Bolt, but research emphasizes that his speed comes from his own physical and mechanical characteristics, rather than imitation of other athletes.
“Gout shows how individual characteristics can shape world-class speed in different ways,” says Dr. Hicks.
“His long limbs, elasticity, and incredible coordination combine to create the step pattern you see when he is in full flight.
“You cannot coach other athletes to simply copy them. What you can do is understand the principles behind his adjustments and create the right conditions for each athlete to find the most effective version of himself.”
Why sprint technique changes naturally
The researchers also explained that sprinting form is not fixed. It evolves as the athlete accelerates, reaches top speed, and begins to fatigue. These shifts are not a defect, but a normal and necessary part of driving at high speeds.
In fact, this study suggests that movement variability, which is often seen as something to be corrected, can actually help athletes adapt and improve.
Rethinking how coaches train sprinters
These insights can revolutionize the way you coach. Rather than focusing on repetitive training, the researchers recommend creating a training environment that allows athletes to experiment with different movement patterns.
Coaches can help athletes discover more efficient ways to move by adjusting factors such as hurdle spacing, running surface, and rhythm. Over time, this allows sprinters to develop techniques that suit their bodies.
“Good coaching is about guiding athletes to discover how their bodies generate speed, rather than forcing one template,” says Dr. Hicks.
“Giving athletes the opportunity to problem solve through movement opens the door to more resilient and adaptive sprint performance.”
A new path to developing future sprint talent
Researchers believe this approach could improve the way Australia identifies and develops sprint talent. Rather than judging athletes against a fixed checklist of technical form, coaches can focus on how each individual moves naturally.
Dr Hicks said this perspective may help explain the recent rise of promising Australian sprinters such as Lachlan Kennedy and Gout Gaut.
“Performance accelerates when athletes are supported to move in line with their anatomy, strength profile, and natural rhythm.
“We are seeing what is possible when we embrace individuality rather than coach it,” he concluded.
The team hopes their research will encourage wider discussion among coaches and provide a strong, evidence-based framework to enable Australian sprinters to compete at the highest level.
Open access funding was provided by Nord University.
