The evolution of sprinting performance: Technological and regulatory influences from 1976 to 2024
Background: This study examines the progression of sprinting performance across the 100m, 200m, and 400m events from 1976 to 2024, highlighting the influence of technological advancements and regulatory changes. Over the past decades, sprinting has been significantly shaped by developments in track...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego i Sportu w Gdansku
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity |
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| Online Access: | https://www.balticsportscience.com/journal/vol17/iss2/2/ |
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| author | Dariusz Tadeusz SKALSKI Magdalena PROŃCZUK Kinga ŁOSIŃSKA Ewelina LULIŃSKA Joanna MOTOWIDŁO Petr STASTNY Adam MASZCZYK Grzegorz TRYBEK |
| author_facet | Dariusz Tadeusz SKALSKI Magdalena PROŃCZUK Kinga ŁOSIŃSKA Ewelina LULIŃSKA Joanna MOTOWIDŁO Petr STASTNY Adam MASZCZYK Grzegorz TRYBEK |
| author_sort | Dariusz Tadeusz SKALSKI |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: This study examines the progression of sprinting performance across the 100m, 200m, and 400m events from 1976 to 2024, highlighting the influence of technological advancements and regulatory changes. Over the past decades, sprinting has been significantly shaped by developments in track surfaces, footwear technology, training methodologies, and regulatory frameworks. Understanding these factors is essential for assessing how sprint times have evolved and what future trends might emerge. Materials and methods: Utilizing a comprehensive dataset from international athletics federations, this research applies time series analysis, regression modeling, and variance testing to assess trends, gender disparities, and performance variability. Data sources include official race results, biomechanical studies, and historical records of rule changes. Analytical techniques focus on identifying patterns of improvement, stabilization phases, and the impact of external factors such as anti-doping policies and equipment innovations. Results: Findings indicate significant improvements in sprint times, particularly during periods of enhanced track surfaces, footwear innovations, and refined training methodologies. Statistical analyses reveal that advancements in material sciences, particularly in track composition and running shoe technology, have contributed to faster race times. However, recent stabilization trends suggest that human physiological limits may be approaching, with marginal performance gains becoming increasingly dependent on biomechanical and genetic optimizations. Additionally, the study highlights the narrowing gender performance gap, driven by advancements in sports science, improved access to elite training, and evolving competition structures. Conclusions: Regulatory measures, particularly in anti-doping enforcement, have played a crucial role in preserving fair competition and influencing performance trends. Future research should explore the interplay between genetic predisposition, neuromuscular efficiency, and emerging sports technologies to determine whether further performance breakthroughs are feasible. The implications of this study extend to athlete development strategies, regulatory policies, and the ethical considerations of performance enhancement in sprinting. This research provides a robust statistical foundation for understanding sprinting evolution and offers insights into the potential trajectories of elite performance in the coming decades. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6b8f7f08eaaa4bc98685e133405b182f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2080-9999 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego i Sportu w Gdansku |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity |
| spelling | doaj-art-6b8f7f08eaaa4bc98685e133405b182f2025-08-20T03:29:02ZengAkademia Wychowania Fizycznego i Sportu w GdanskuBaltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity2080-99992025-06-01172Article2Article210.29359/BJHPA.17.2.02The evolution of sprinting performance: Technological and regulatory influences from 1976 to 2024Dariusz Tadeusz SKALSKI0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5128-7724Magdalena PROŃCZUK1https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1478-3151Kinga ŁOSIŃSKA2https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0227-106XEwelina LULIŃSKA3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1021-8885Joanna MOTOWIDŁO4https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3261-3702Petr STASTNY5https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2841-374XAdam MASZCZYK6https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9139-9747Grzegorz TRYBEK7https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3900-4901University of Applied Sciences in Wałcz, PolandFaculty of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, PolandFaculty of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, PolandFaculty of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, PolandInstitute of Sport Science, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, PolandDepartment of Sport Games, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic Institute of Sport Science, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland; Faculty of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, GdanskPomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, PolandBackground: This study examines the progression of sprinting performance across the 100m, 200m, and 400m events from 1976 to 2024, highlighting the influence of technological advancements and regulatory changes. Over the past decades, sprinting has been significantly shaped by developments in track surfaces, footwear technology, training methodologies, and regulatory frameworks. Understanding these factors is essential for assessing how sprint times have evolved and what future trends might emerge. Materials and methods: Utilizing a comprehensive dataset from international athletics federations, this research applies time series analysis, regression modeling, and variance testing to assess trends, gender disparities, and performance variability. Data sources include official race results, biomechanical studies, and historical records of rule changes. Analytical techniques focus on identifying patterns of improvement, stabilization phases, and the impact of external factors such as anti-doping policies and equipment innovations. Results: Findings indicate significant improvements in sprint times, particularly during periods of enhanced track surfaces, footwear innovations, and refined training methodologies. Statistical analyses reveal that advancements in material sciences, particularly in track composition and running shoe technology, have contributed to faster race times. However, recent stabilization trends suggest that human physiological limits may be approaching, with marginal performance gains becoming increasingly dependent on biomechanical and genetic optimizations. Additionally, the study highlights the narrowing gender performance gap, driven by advancements in sports science, improved access to elite training, and evolving competition structures. Conclusions: Regulatory measures, particularly in anti-doping enforcement, have played a crucial role in preserving fair competition and influencing performance trends. Future research should explore the interplay between genetic predisposition, neuromuscular efficiency, and emerging sports technologies to determine whether further performance breakthroughs are feasible. The implications of this study extend to athlete development strategies, regulatory policies, and the ethical considerations of performance enhancement in sprinting. This research provides a robust statistical foundation for understanding sprinting evolution and offers insights into the potential trajectories of elite performance in the coming decades.https://www.balticsportscience.com/journal/vol17/iss2/2/accelerationelite athletessports analyticstraining optimizationperformance trends |
| spellingShingle | Dariusz Tadeusz SKALSKI Magdalena PROŃCZUK Kinga ŁOSIŃSKA Ewelina LULIŃSKA Joanna MOTOWIDŁO Petr STASTNY Adam MASZCZYK Grzegorz TRYBEK The evolution of sprinting performance: Technological and regulatory influences from 1976 to 2024 Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity acceleration elite athletes sports analytics training optimization performance trends |
| title | The evolution of sprinting performance: Technological and regulatory influences from 1976 to 2024 |
| title_full | The evolution of sprinting performance: Technological and regulatory influences from 1976 to 2024 |
| title_fullStr | The evolution of sprinting performance: Technological and regulatory influences from 1976 to 2024 |
| title_full_unstemmed | The evolution of sprinting performance: Technological and regulatory influences from 1976 to 2024 |
| title_short | The evolution of sprinting performance: Technological and regulatory influences from 1976 to 2024 |
| title_sort | evolution of sprinting performance technological and regulatory influences from 1976 to 2024 |
| topic | acceleration elite athletes sports analytics training optimization performance trends |
| url | https://www.balticsportscience.com/journal/vol17/iss2/2/ |
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