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Short Distance Track Spikes

How much can Short Distance Track Spikes improve my 100m sprint time?

Spikes Make you faster : Studies show performance improved 6% with spikes

The purpose of the present study was to quantify the effect of the use of Short Distance Track Spikes

on sprint performance in male athletes. Separating between both cleats and mass effects. Additionally, the influence of the footwear on biomechanical parameters of running was analyzed.

Nine male regional-national sprint athletes (i.e., 100, 200, and 400 m distances) participated in this study. They performed three 40 m sprints in a randomized order (i.e., spikes, running shoes, and mass added spikes). Performance improved 2, 6% with spikes with respect to running shoes, were 1, 7% was due to the cleats, and 0, 9% was due to the mass.

When analyzing the biomechanical variables. It was observed that the speed increased because both the step rate and step length also increased. Step length increased and the contact time decreased due to a combined effect of the cleats and the mass. In conclusion, the sprint performance improved when using spikes with respect to running shoes, two-third of the improvement was due to the cleats, and the rest to the shoe’s mass.

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325578945_Biomechanical_analysis_of_spikes_shoes_effects_on_the_sprint_performance_of_male_sprinters

So into perspective what is 6%.

12.0 without spikes = 11.28 (maximal with spikes)

11.0 without spikes = 10.34 (maximal with spikes)

I have an article here querying can anyone break 11 seconds for 100m?

The Advantages with spike shoes allow the athlete

To run more balanced, less wobbling Less time spent on the ground making contact Less energy wasted when making contact with the ground

Different Types of Spike Nails

Different track spike designs (pin, pyramid, post, Christmas tree, and modified Christmas tree) are all touted as being advantageous for track and field performance. But these claims have not been tested and reported in peer-reviewed literature. The purpose of this study was to examine how to track spike design impacted energy return on a Mondo track surface. The load-deformation curves of the spikes driven by a machine into the track surface were determined. And the energy absorbed and the energy returned by each spike were calculated. On the Mondo track surface, the modified Christmas tree design generated significantly more energy return than the other spike designs while the pin spike absorbed (and therefore returned). Significantly less energy than the other spike designs. This information could useful for athletes and coaches looking to enhance performance on a Mondo track.

What Sport Science Discovered with Track Spikes and Speed

Countless studies on foot mechanics and performance have been done. But the best and most straightforward investigation is seeing if one simply runs faster with different shoes. Specifically, the track spike models we use now and lesser options.

Studies ranging from barefoot testing, different spike plates. And even different types of tracks ranging from soft to hard. And even “springy” options have been testing. What was found was not surprising. But spikes are better than barefoot for producing speed. And several theories based on the variables they tested.

Not only did the researchers time the sprints to see the difference in speed with electronic timing. They actually looked at the motion of the foot in amazing detail. To see what precisely was the cause of the improvement. What was found in the hardness of the plate increased the performance. And while some may think that horizontal forces from the friction of spikes matter. One must rethink the value when athletes are able to sprint across ice rinks at full speed as seen on Ken Jakalski’s video.

In 1968 Puma and Adidas were in a spike war with both promoting a brush style spike with dozens of tiny spikes. The benefit of the number of spikes is negligible. And the real reason they were banned. Was that the rules didn’t permit the changes and the IAAF still bans more than 11 spikes currently.

Do Track Spikes Make you faster : Maximal Velocity Mechanics

Full speed running is maximal velocity mechanics meaning more vertical forces are being placed on the ground up and down. Rather than behind the athlete. What we can conclude is that spikes have three roles. The first is obvious. Being light enough not to slow down the leg when it’s swinging in the air. And this has not been a problem for 50 years.

As the weight hasn’t been that heavy in the past. Legs being repositioned isn’t a limiting factor in the research. But nobody plans to compete in construction boots as most shoes now are lightweight. Second is the need for a shoe that is hard to help transmit forces through the track. When athletes come to tracks. Many can observe the hardness by dropping a ball. And seeing how high it bounces back. An athlete wants a hard track in competition. And the same rules apply with a hard spike. Cushioning is good perhaps for training with distance runners. But when it comes to speed, hard options rule, but to a limit.

Do Track Spikes make you faster : The Spike Test Results

In the study Increased Shoe Bending Stiffness Increases Sprint Performance. The researchers concluded that a hard plate is necessary to improving spike performance, but not all athletes respond the same to increase the stiffness of the spike plate. Some barely got better and some got slower, but most improved their speed. What the researchers did was timed the athletes in a 40-meter sprint and analyzed the 20-40 m segment. What they found was some athletes improved by a few hundredths when wearing harder track spikes, specifically the soles that were made of carbon fiber.

Sources: https://www.freelapusa.com/how-much-do-track-spikes-improve-times-in-the-sprints/

Andrew was elected Vice President of the Association of Track and Field Statisticians in 2020 after being a member for 7 years. He has worked as a PSC Consultant and Research Assistant from 2013-2015, Consultant, and Sprint Coach at Zamboanga Sports Academy from 2015-2017. Current editor and chief of Pinoyathletics.info, and has recently done consultancy work for Ayala Corp evaluating the Track and Field Program. Coaches Sprints, Middle and Jump events he is working towards his Level 3 Athletics Australia Coaching Certification in Sprints and Hurdles. He can be contacted on [email protected] You can find more information on Coaching here

https://www.pinoyathletics.info/coaching-2/ www.pinoyathletics.info