Summary
The 100 m sprint race is run almost exclusively at the expenses of the phosphagen break-down which is the promptest and more powerful source of energy. This energy source is practically completely exhausted in this performance, thus providing about 120–150 cal/kg. An additional 40–50 cal/kg are provided by lactic acid formation from glycogen, and only about 10 cal/kg from oxidative processes. The energy necessary for speed maintainance may be not much more than 100–120 cal/kg, which is spent in performing an equal amount of positive and negative work. The energy necessary to accelerate the body amounts to about 60 cal/kg, while that to meet the wind resistance to about 40 cal. This is driven in part from an increase of the positive work performed, and for an appreciable fraction from a decreased negative work, taking place during the deceleration phase of the step cycle.
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This paper was read at the Fifth Pan-American Congress on Sports Medicine, Winnipeg, Manitoba, July 24th–25th 1967.
Financially supported by the Italian National Research Council.
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Margaria, R. Capacity and power of the energy processes in muscle activity: Their practical relevance in athletics. Int. Z. Angew. Physiol. Einschl. Arbeitsphysiol. 25, 352–360 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00699625
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00699625