Usain Bolt didn’t have poor acceleration. His max v was just so...
Fred Duncan@Fred__Duncan
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Feb 18, 2026
~1 min read
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Usain Bolt didn’t have poor acceleration. His max v was just so much better that it made everything before it look average.
By 30 meters, he was right there with the best in the world. He wasn’t in the lead, but he wasn’t separating yet.
Taller athletes often face greater
By 30 meters, he was right there with the best in the world. He wasn’t in the lead, but he wasn’t separating yet.
Taller athletes often face greater
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mechanical demands early in a sprint. More mass to accelerate, longer limbs to reposition, greater rotational inertia.
All of it increases the challenge of rapidly changing velocity.
But those same characteristics raise the ceiling.
Once upright, Bolt could cover more
All of it increases the challenge of rapidly changing velocity.
But those same characteristics raise the ceiling.
Once upright, Bolt could cover more
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distance per step and reach velocities others simply couldn’t access. His race wasn’t won in the first 30m. It was won when the race transitioned from acceleration to max velocity. He hit top speeds and decelerated the least.
This is why speed development isn’t one quality.
This is why speed development isn’t one quality.
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Acceleration, max velocity, strength, and plyometrics all interact. Different athletes require different emphases depending on their structure, strengths, and phase of development.
Speed Kills shows you exactly how to train acceleration, max velocity, and plyometrics within a
Speed Kills shows you exactly how to train acceleration, max velocity, and plyometrics within a
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complete system.
Strength X Speed is the perfect starting point if you want to safely build strength, power, and speed without needing a pure sprint program.
I also offer custom remote programming and consults for athletes who want a plan built specifically around them.
Strength X Speed is the perfect starting point if you want to safely build strength, power, and speed without needing a pure sprint program.
I also offer custom remote programming and consults for athletes who want a plan built specifically around them.