Role of arm mechanics during sprint running: a review of the literature and practical applications

The importance of arm action during sprint-running has been an ongoing discussion among practitioners. Though some coaches believe the arms serve to merely provide balance to the rotary momentum of the legs, others believe the arms are vital to sprint-running performance and contribute to propulsive forces. Though a large body of research has been undertaken into the effects of leg kinematics and kinetics on sprint-running performance, the role of arm action remains ambiguous and under investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to improve understanding related to arm mechanics during sprint-running and provide practical context guidelines