Key Physical Predictors of Maximal Velocity Sprinting in Australian Track and Field Athletes

Abstract

Sayer, TA, and Cross, N. Key physical predictors of maximal velocity sprinting in Australian track and field athletes. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2026—This study aimed to identify the key physical predictors of maximal velocity (MaxV) sprinting at 20 and 60 meters among highly trained Australian track sprinters. Twenty-four athletes (mixed sample: 12 male, 12 female, 68.90 ± 8.77 kg, 1.74 ± 0.08 m) completed a battery of strength and dynamic tests followed by maximal 60-meter sprints. Best-subset multiple linear regression (up to 5 predictors), evaluated by leave-one-out cross-validation, was used to model MaxV at each distance. The 60-meter MaxV model was highly significant, F (5,18) = 50.39, p < 0.001, explaining 93.3% of the variance ( R ² = 0.93, adjusted R ² = 0.92, SEE = 0.19), with countermovement jump (CMJ) impulse ( β = 0.78, p < 0.001), isometric leg-press peak force ( β = 0.43, p = 0.001) and CMJ stiffness ( β = 0.40, p < 0.001) the strongest positive contributors. The 20 meter MaxV model was also significant, F (5,18) = 28.12, p < 0.001, explaining 88.6% of the variance ( R ² = 0.89, adjusted R ² = 0.86, SEE = 0.18), with single-leg drop jump (SLDJ) eccentric impulse ( β = 0.87, p < 0.001) and CMJ power ( β = 0.46, p < 0.001) the strongest contributors. Single-leg drop jump reactive strength index and isometric quadriceps force were significant within both models but carried suppressor (sign-reversed) coefficients. These results indicate that vertical jump force time qualities, particularly CMJ impulse and power, isometric leg-press force, and SLDJ eccentric impulse, are key physical components of MaxV sprinting and should be prioritized by coaches when assessing and developing sprint athletes.