Describe sprint-specific strength training and name two exemplar exercises.

• A. Strength exercises that improve force production and rate of force development in sprinting; exemplars: back squats and hip thrusts.
• B. Endurance running with no resistance training.
• C. Only agility drills without resistance.
• D. Calisthenics like push-ups and sit-ups.

Answer: (A)

Sprint-specific strength training focuses on building the ability to produce large forces quickly during the ground contact of sprinting. Sprinting relies on fast, powerful hip and knee extension, so training should enhance both force production and rate of force development in patterns that transfer to sprinting. Back squats and hip thrusts fit this need because they load the key hip and knee extensor muscles (glutes, hamstrings, quads) in a way that boosts how much force you can generate and how quickly you can generate it. This translates to stronger starts, faster accelerations, and higher sprint speeds. The other options miss the necessary resistance or the fast-power focus: endurance running without resistance doesn’t build sprint-strength, agility drills without resistance don’t develop the high-force output sprinting requires, and general calisthenics like push-ups and sit-ups don’t sufficiently load the hip and knee extensors for sprint-specific gains.