Key Physical Predictors of Maximal Velocity Sprinting in Australian Track and Field Athletes

ABSTRACT: Sayer, TA, and Cross, N. Key physical predictors of maximal velocity sprinting in Australian track and field athletes. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-This study aimed to identify the key physical predictors of maximal velocity (MaxV) sprinting at 20 and 60 meters among highly trained Australian track sprinters. Twenty-four athletes (mixed sample: 12 male, 12 female, 68.90 ± 8.77 kg, 1.74 ± 0.08 m) completed a battery of strength and dynamic tests followed by maximal 60-meter sprints. Best-subset multiple linear regression (up to 5 predictors), evaluated by leave-one-out cross-validation, was used to model MaxV at each distance. The 60-meter MaxV model was highly significant, F (5,18) = 50.39, p < 0.001, explaining 93.3% of the variance (R2 = 0.93, adjusted R2 = 0.92, SEE = 0.19), with countermovement jump (CMJ) impulse (β = 0.78, p < 0.001), isometric leg-press peak force (β = 0.43, p = 0.001) and CMJ stiffness (β = 0.40, p < 0.001) the strongest positive contributors. The 20 meter MaxV model was also significant, F (5,18) = 28.12, p < 0.001, explaining 88.6% of the variance (R2 = 0.89, adjusted R2 = 0.86, SEE = 0.18), with single-leg drop jump (SLDJ) eccentric impulse (β = 0.87, p < 0.001) and CMJ power (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) the strongest contributors. Single-leg drop jump reactive strength index and isometric quadriceps force were significant within both models but carried suppressor (sign-reversed) coefficients. These results indicate that vertical jump force time qualities, particularly CMJ impulse and power, isometric leg-press force, and SLDJ eccentric impulse, are key physical components of MaxV sprinting and should be prioritized by coaches when assessing and developing sprint athletes.