In sprinting, how do elite sprinters compare to novice sprinters in ground contact time and force?

• A. Larger, Longer
• B. Similar, Shorter
• C. Larger, Shorter
• D. Smaller, Longer

Answer: (C)

In sprinting, elite sprinters deliver a larger push off the ground while spending less time on the ground each step. They generate higher ground reaction forces and do so in a shorter contact window, which means a greater impulse (force over time) is produced per step. This combination is what propels them faster and allows quicker acceleration compared with novices. If contact time were longer or the force smaller, sprinting speed and acceleration would be reduced.