Through work by Bauersfeld/Voss (1992), new aspects have been introduced into considerations of motor speed. So called time programs, which are functionally determined by the neuromuscular system, were divided into two types: the acyclic and the cyclic form, where the cyclic-time-program is measured by the leg-tapping-frequency. 25 top-sprinters and sport- students were asked to perform maximum tapping frequency. EMG-signals of 6 right-leg muscles were recorded in order to gain insight into the physiological parameters and motor control strategies. As parameters the relative sequencing and the relative on/off-intervals of the muscular activation were chosen. Sequencing was clustered hierarchically and showed to be highly individual. No categorization or relation to the criterion of tapping-frequency could be found in the clustering. In contrast the on/off-intervals were found to be highly specific according to the movement structure. Tapings are suggested not to be seen as program-like innervating patterns. Moreover, self-organization takes place in case of time-parameters like the on/off-interval. Still the leg tapings are seen as semi-specific forms of speed training with some fundamental functions and characteristics for the sprint.
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