"Go" Signal Intensity Influences the Sprint Start

Abstract

Graded decreases in RT may reflect a summation-mediated reduction in audiomotor transmission time, whereas step-like decreases associated with startle may reflect a bypassing of specific cortical circuits. We suggest that procedures presently used to start the Olympic sprint events afford runners closer to the starter the advantage of hearing the "go" signal louder; consequently, they react sooner but not more strongly than their competitors.

The Science of Speed: Determinants of Performance in the 100 m Sprint

“…7 A powerful start is crucial to attaining an optimal standard of performance in a sprint race 4 . Three key contributors to the sprint start are reaction time, movement time, and response time.…”

“…Minimizing the duration of each of these components can contribute to a faster start time, and ultimately a better sprint performance. 7 Reaction time is the time it takes to initiate the response to a given stimulus. In the sprint start, the stimulus is the sound of the start gun and reaction time is measured by the first change in force after the gun.…”

“…Those competitors who are assigned to lanes closest to the starter, have the advantage of hearing the loudest "go" signal, and therefore, will have a faster reaction than the rest of the field. 7 Loud auditory stimuli have the potential to significantly increase peak force prior to the maximal execution of a simple task. Adopting this theory, it seems probable that the same concept may apply to a complex task, such as sprinting, and increased peak force at the start would facilitate greater horizontal velocity.…”

“…Adopting this theory, it seems probable that the same concept may apply to a complex task, such as sprinting, and increased peak force at the start would facilitate greater horizontal velocity. According to Brown et al 7 , in an analysis of the 2004 Olympic Games track sprint events, competitors in the inner lanes, the lanes closest to the starter, had significantly lower reaction times than the competitors in the outer lanes. In a study analyzing the sprint start at varying auditory "go" signals, the same researchers discovered the louder the stimulus the shorter the reaction time, and the shorter the time necessary to attain maximal horizontal velocity from the starting blocks.…”

“…The intensity of the auditory stimulus did not affect the magnitude of maximal horizontal force. However, although Brown et al 7 were able to provide evidence to suggest modifications be made to current starting procedures, no current accepted alternatives exist to combat the problem.…”