How does HEIGHT affect Sprinting Speed

In this video we show an anatomy comparison of elite sprinters of varying heights and examine how height can effect an athlete's speed based on it's impact on their stride length and stride frequency

10:32: Clip removed due to copyright, missing audio should read as follows:

"When we ask why there aren’t more tall sprinters competing today if they have potential for greater stride length and force production, we need to remember how small they are with regards to the total population, and how much more likely they are to compete in a different sport since size and athleticism are such sought after traits in team sports where where the earning potential for turning pro is much higher than in track."

Music: HORUSIII x HICAP - We Do It No

Podcasts Featured:

[dennisrobinson]

Before Bolt came onto the scene the prototypical sprinter would be between 5'9" and 6'2" was "tall", the thought would be that 6'5" would be "too tall"...

[SpotlightGraphics]

As a short guy I’ll be rooting for us!

[Flips]

Su Bingtian proved stride frequency is going to be ur biggest strength if you are shorter

[bjornjohans]

An important determining factor for stride length is the speed at which you run. The greater the speed, the further you get on each step in the phase you are in the air. So just by running faster you will be able to increase your stride length.

[motshwari]

Great video as usual! I think it’ll be hard to find another 6’5 athlete with just as much turnover as Bolt, but then again we’re in the age of super spikes. Tebogo’s advantage is he has very long legs and a short torso at 6’0, hence why he’s always runs around 42/42.5 strides. His turnover needs improve then maybe he’ll stand a chance to challenge Bolt.

[norwolf]

Bolt's stride length was his big advantage as he could turn over as fast as a shorter sprinter. Knighton is 6'3" and has a good stride length and amazing relaxed turn over and I think when he finally comes into his own he has the best chance of taking down Bolt's 200m record. He still continues to get

[QCKeith]

Impeccable research!!! I enjoyed this video, thanks.

[Lajnish]

Great video, thanks for enlightening us once again :D

[unconventionalcrosy]

Bolt is an exception full stop. It will be hard to find another sprinter like him even if they are of the same height

[mshutube]

If your third leg's length is too long, this is a real hindrance. Mine is also flopping around and increasing wind drag.

[bui]

Your knowledge is really impressive!
However intuitively I feel like it's the speed of the foot due to longer distance from "hub", rather than extra long way for exelaration, that gives a tall runner an advantage.

[_views]

I guess a better question is leg to torso ratio rather than overall height

[Nyjawonder]

I know this is about men and it is obvious that Bolt is an outlier case, but he did improve over the years and mastered his technique. The other outlier is Shelly-Ann Fraser-Price. She is almost always the shortest athlete in her field but her frequency is incredible. I would love to see you analyse her technique. Imagine if she were 4 inches taller or 3 inches in leg length. Amazing lady

[lukedowneslukedownes]

Amazing video with tons of education my coaches never tell me

[Theratsnatcher]

bolt has the mentality my guy
great vid no the less

[b-radagent]

I think people look too much in to bolts height. He would still be olympic fast if he was shorter, he is just insanely fast and happens to be tall

[danejohnson]

I agree that the 200 will be broken before the 100 because basically Yohan Blake did it already. If it wasn’t for his slow start he would be the new 200 under 19 seconds world record holder. He had that power and he had that turnover and thanks to Bolt, he had all the inspiration he needed. Unfortunately, we all know his injury(ies) will never make him the record holder but his performance gives hope for the future.

[Its_Brutal]

Height doesn’t matter, just be confident bro

[timanderson]

Wouldn't taller sprinters have even greater advantage in the 200m? Usain Bolt was generally more dominant in the 200m than in the 100m if you look at the distance between him and the other runners when they crossed the line. With a larger body and larger mass, there is more momentum that helps the sprinter preserve speed at the end of the race.

[summatim]

0:01: Height and Sprinting Ability
0:13: Advantages of Taller Athletes
0:27: Importance of Leg Length to Body Height Ratio
0:59: Body Weight and Torso Length
1:26: Ideal Body Type for Swimming and Running
2:10: Usain Bolt's Stride Length and Frequency
3:53: The Role of Stride Length and Frequency in Speed
5:24: Justin Gatlin's Change in Race Strategy
8:20: Inconsistency in Sprinting Ability
8:38: Importance of Foot Strike and Frontside Mechanics
10:19: Tall Sprinters and World Records
11:37: Potential for Average Height Sprinters
14:00: Taller sprinters vs. shorter sprinters
14:21: 200 meters
15:07: Breaking world records