You might think that if someone runs quickly, they must have extremely large calves and impressive acceleration capabilities. However, that’s not the whole story.
Usain Bolt, the former track and field athlete, still holds the world record in the 100-meter sprint with a speed of up to 37.57 km/h.
This speed is incredibly fast by ordinary human standards. In fact, even seasoned athletes find it challenging to reach such speeds.
So from a scientific perspective, why do some people run very fast, while others tend to run more slowly and for endurance?
Usain Bolt (in yellow) holds the Olympic and world record in the 100-meter dash with a time of 9.58 seconds (Photo: Guardian).
Differences in Body Structure
One of the main factors affecting your running speed is body structure, including how your muscles function.
Typically, the human body has over 600 muscles that work together, allowing you to move in various directions and at different speeds.
These muscles are made up of fiber groups, with two main types: fast-twitch and slow-twitch fibers.
Muscles have different combinations of these two types of fibers. For example, in the calves, a fast-twitch muscle is the gastrocnemius, which supports sprinting and jumping ability. The other type, the soleus, is a slow-twitch muscle that assists with walking and long-distance running.
In general, fast-twitch muscle fibers are larger, enabling your body to move quickly and generate significant force.
Sprint athletes tend to have a higher proportion of fast-twitch fibers. However, these muscles fatigue quickly, which can limit sprinting duration.
Conversely, slow-twitch muscle fibers allow you to run at slower speeds but maintain better endurance. This is characteristic of individuals who prefer long-distance running or cycling.
Since the ratio of each muscle type is primarily determined by genetic factors, an individual’s capabilities are largely innate. Nevertheless, training can help develop these muscles to some extent.
The Brain
Not only muscles, but your brain also plays a crucial role in maintaining speed or endurance running.
This is because your skeletal muscles are controlled by the brain. In other words, we can think about our actions and then execute movements to replicate them.
For instance, you can control your stride length, how your arms move, how your feet strike the ground, and even the technique used for breathing.
According to Dawn P. Coe, an Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee (USA), these factors can contribute to improving running performance as well as enhancing your training regimen.
Additionally, psychological factors are also very important. If you feel happy while training and engaging in physical activities, your capabilities and performance are likely to improve significantly.
