# Muscle Activity and Biomechanics of Sprinting: A Meta-Analysis Review  
[PERSON]  
1 Institute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, 40-065 Katowice, Poland; [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (A.M.); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (A.Z. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (A.G.) 1  
[PERSON]  
1 Institute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, 40-065 Katowice, Poland; [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (A.M.); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (A.Z. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (A.G.) 1  
[PERSON]  
1 Institute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, 40-065 Katowice, Poland; [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (A.M.); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (A.Z. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (A.G.) 1  
[PERSON]  
1 Institute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, 40-065 Katowice, Poland; [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (A.M.); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (A.Z. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (A.G.) 1  
Footnote 1: email: {[[https://www.sci.wisc.edu/](https://www.sci.wisc.edu/)]([https://www.sci.wisc.edu/](https://www.sci.wisc.edu/))  
ground reaction forces) factors, which must be optimized to achieve maximal acceleration and top velocity [4,5]. Given the complex interplay between muscle activation patterns and sprint mechanics, understanding the specific neuromuscular demands across different sprint phases is crucial for improving performance and reducing injury risk [6]. The activation of key lower limb muscles, particularly the hannstrings (biceps femoris, semitendinosus), gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, and gastrocnemius, plays a crucial role in force application and sprint propulsion. Hamstring activation is most prominent in the late swing phase, where it helps decelerate the swinging limb and prepare for ground contact [3,6,7,8]. Meanwhile, the gluteus maximus exhibits peak activation during early stance, assisting in hip extension and force transmission during the propulsive phase [2,9,10,11]. Furthermore, electromyographic (EMG) studies have demonstrated that muscle activation patterns vary depending on sprint velocity. As running speed increases, hamstring and gluteal activation levels rise significantly, reflecting their increasing contribution to horizontal force generation [8,12]. Additionally, the gastrocnemius and rectus femoris play key roles in vertical force generation, contributing to stabilization and energy return during ground contact [13,14,15]. Understanding these phase-specific muscle recruitment patterns is essential for developing targeted strength and conditioning programs that enhance sprinting ability while mitigating injury risk [15,16]. Biomechanical adaptations to increased sprinting velocity involve modifications in stride length, stride frequency, and force production. Research indicates that stride length increases by 15-20% from submaximal to maximal sprinting, while stride frequency exhibits moderate changes, primarily due to enhanced swing phase mechanics [6,7]. These kinematic modifications allow elite sprinters to optimize ground contact efficiency, reducing braking forces and maximizing propulsive output [1]. Additionally, kinetic studies show that ground reaction forces (GRF) increase with velocity, with sprinters applying greater horizontal forces during acceleration and transitioning to higher vertical forces at top speed [4,5,14,15]. This transition highlights the importance of training strategies that emphasize both maximal force production and rapid limb movement to optimize sprint efficiency [9]. Moreover, a strong correlation exists between hip extensor strength and sprinting velocity, emphasizing the need for targeted gluteal and hamstring strengthening exercises [17]. Fatigue-induced changes in neuromuscular coordination have been widely studied due to their impact on sprint efficiency and injury risk. As neuromuscular fatigue develops, athletes experience earlier hamstring activation during the swing phase, likely as a protective mechanism against muscle strain [18].