Improve top speed in agility
The speed at which the leg can be driven down to the ground is a limiting factor in how fast an athlete can run.
Here I wanted to improve timing, the rhythm and synchronization of the limbs since top speed is so heavily based on technique and coordination.
The higher velocity - the higher coordination is required.
I was focusig also on rapid swing leg recovery (very quick forward movement of the leg after push), great horizontal push, twisting movement to lengthen muscles to their greatest point so they can rebound back efficiently and powerfully (muscle fibers run at angles, not linearly).
Long bounding (bounds of over 30 meters) has been shown to actually have a great transfer to top-end running, so I will gradually increase gradually distance and number of jumps.
To run fast we also need horsepower - fast-twitch motor pool and fast nervous system. Intention matters! Doing this exercise without strong will power and fresh, rested dog will not transfer into speed.
The hamstring strength correlates heavily to the forces in top-speed sprinting, and if the hamstring can’t handle or control these forces, the brain will shut power down to the lower body, and in doing so, “set” a speed limit on the athlete. So uphill runs, pulling and fitness exercise should be done too 🙂