The muscle game: How people like Usain Bolt are able to run so fast

What’s the reasonbehindsome people like Olympian sprinter Usain Bolt runningextremely fast while others not even coming close to them?Yes, geneticsdoplay a crucial rolebutit’s not like you have no control over your endurance andthat youcan’t train your mind to improve.

The muscle game

First of all, let’s understand how our muscles that are responsible for the movement of our body work, including running and walking.

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There are mainly two types of muscles involved in these exercises: Fast twitch and slow twitch.

The human body has over 600 moving muscles that help us do work and walk. Different muscle types have a different mix of fibres.Muscles that are fast twitch—gastrocnemius—are used for sprinting and jumping, whereas slow twitchare usedfor walking and jogging.

Fast twitch muscles movequickly,andgenerate greater force but require a lot of energy. So, these muscles tire quickly and help us fast for short distances.

Those who run fast are able to use these muscles better, and more efficiently. Fast twitch muscles are predominantly not decided by genes, so you always are in control of what you can achieve through better training.

On the other hand, slow twitch muscles help you run at a slower speed but with greater endurance. Marathonrunnersas well ascycliststend to have strong slow twitch muscles.

These muscles aremostlydetermined by your genes, but you can still train yourself to improve these muscles too.

Role of brain

You can improve both types of muscles using your brain.At the end of the day,your brain controls the movement—how long your stride is, how your arms move, how your feet hit the ground and even the techniques you use to breathe.

You can align your brain with the best running technique. Proper posture is essential, ensuring your body stands tall. An economical stride, where your feet land below you rather than too far out in front, can prevent deceleration.

Engaging your whole body by having your arms pump in opposition to your legs, running on your toes, and maximising the time spent in the flight phase with both feet off theground,can improve your form. Proper running techniques allow your muscles to create more force and work together,ultimatelyincreasing your speed.

(With inputs from agencies)