# Profile of 50 m Sprinting: The Influence of Carbon-Plated Spikes on Maximum-Velocity Performance

## TL;DR

This study found that carbon-plated spikes do not significantly improve maximum sprinting speed in short distances like 50 m compared to classic spikes.

## Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence that carbon-plated spikes do not enhance performance in short sprints.

## Key findings

- No significant differences were found in kinematic parameters between classic and carbon-plated spikes in 50 m sprints.
- Sole bending stiffness of spikes does not affect short-distance sprinting performance.
- Both spike types are equally effective for maximum speed training in short sprints.

## Abstract

The 2021 Tokyo Olympics Games ended with fantastic sprints and hurdles results (world record in the 400 m hurdles). Many were concerned about whether the results were influenced by athletes’ use of new carbon-plated spikes.This study compares the effectiveness of classic carbon-plated fiber spikes in improving maximum sprinting speed. The analysis concerns the variability of sprinting kinematic parameters.The four 50 m full-out sprints did not show significant differences between the kinematic parameters considering the performance of classic Nike and carbon-plated Nike ZoomX Flymax spikes. This means that in maximum speed training, the effectiveness of both spikes is the same.

The 2021 Tokyo Olympics Games ended with fantastic sprints and hurdles results (world record in the 400 m hurdles). Many were concerned about whether the results were influenced by athletes’ use of new carbon-plated spikes.

This study compares the effectiveness of classic carbon-plated fiber spikes in improving maximum sprinting speed. The analysis concerns the variability of sprinting kinematic parameters.

The four 50 m full-out sprints did not show significant differences between the kinematic parameters considering the performance of classic Nike and carbon-plated Nike ZoomX Flymax spikes. This means that in maximum speed training, the effectiveness of both spikes is the same.

The main goal of this study was to determine whether the type of spike can influence the final sprint result by comparing step by step the kinematics of four 50-m sprints. Twelve well-trained junior sprinters (ages 17–19) from the Polish National Team (ranging from 100 to 400 m) participated in the study, with personal bests in the 100-m sprint of 10.70 ± 0.19 s. The OptoJump Next-Microgate sensor measurement system (Optojump, Bolzano, Italy) was used to measure the essential kinematic sprinting variables. Following the sprint distance, photocells were placed on the track at the start, at 10 m, at 20 m, at 30 m, and at the finish (50 m). Fifty-meter sprints were completed alternately, two with classic and two with the carbon-plated spikes. For every sprinter, the order in which the spikes were chosen was randomized. To better understand the problem of variability in kinematic parameters, in addition to the actual statistics, the profile analysis process was applied. The analysis of the four 50 m sprints did not show significant differences between the kinematic parameters considering runs in both the classic Nike and carbon-plated Nike ZoomX Flymax spikes. It may be suggested that spikes’ sole bending stiffness may not affect short-distance (up to 50–60 m) sprinting performance. From a practical point of view, training focused on maximum speed development can be carried out with both classic and carbon-plated spikes. Finally, our experiment can guide the preparation of a research methodology that assesses the effect of carbon-plated spikes on prolonged sprinting, e.g., 200–400 m.