After the exploits of Usain Bolt in 2008 and 2009, many have asked: how it is possible that a human could run so fast? For rivals seeking to close the gap, strength training, the central element of the modern training paradigm for sprinters, offers only limited proven benefits for increasing maximal running velocity, which is the apparent key to Bolt`s domination. This paper discusses alternate training strategies. A model of forces generated in a sub-10 sec 100m was created based on Newton`s equations of motions and data from world-class sprint performances. It shows that after 30m, force in the horizontal direction is quite small, little more than body weight. At such a low level, the influence of maximum strength diminishes and the rate of force development becomes the predominant factor. Improvement of a sprinter`s maximal velocity requires more force production within the same ground contact times. This calls for greater training specificity, with more emphasis on increasing movement velocity and less on force production. The author suggests that better results may be achieved through explosive strength training such as plyometric exercises with a horizontal emphasis carried out with less force, reduced ground contact time and greater joint velocity.
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