Which statement best describes the primary muscle groups used in sprinting and how technique affects energy transfer?

• A. The primary muscle groups are the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, calves, and core, and technique should optimize hip extension and knee drive to improve power transfer.
• B. Biceps and chest muscles are the primary drivers, and technique has no effect on energy transfer.
• C. Neck and wrists control sprint energy transfer.
• D. Only the feet determine energy transfer, regardless of leg technique.

Answer: (A)

Sprinting power comes from using the large muscles of the lower body and the core to generate and transfer force efficiently. The quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, calves, and core work together to produce rapid hip extension, knee drive, and ankle push-off. When technique is optimized to maximize hip extension and knee drive, the force you generate is directed more effectively into forward propulsion, improving how energy from the ground is transferred through the body into speed. The other statements miss the main contributors or ignore how technique shapes energy transfer—for example, upper-body muscles aren’t the primary drivers of sprint propulsion, and saying technique has no effect on energy transfer is inaccurate. Likewise, reducing energy transfer to just the feet or to the neck and wrists overlooks the integrated action of the entire lower body and trunk.