Why do sprinters train less frequently than distance runners?

That's a really good question. Let me know when you get an answer. Also let me know when you find why American sprinters have been so much more successful in international competition than American distance runners.

Oh that's easy American sprinters have far superior genes that allow them to sprint much faster into their 30s.

For the same reason that power lifters don't train every day.

I also think that you underestimate how much sprinters train.

I think the main reason why sprinters train less than distance guys is because although they are running much less miles, they do their hard work at top speed all out sprints and it really takes a toll in their nervous and muscular system. A lot of sprint coaches say the body needs at least 48 hours if not more in between hard workouts.

No Way wrote:

For the same reason that power lifters don't train every day.

I also think that you underestimate how much sprinters train.

Most powerlifters only train 3 times a week, some go up to 4 and they are all heavily juiced and not hiding it. Makes you wonder how often could a natural guy afford to train if steroid junkies are "only" pushing it hard 3/week.

To invert the inquiry: why do distance runners train more frequently than sprinters?

Doesn't that make it clearer?

No Way wrote:

For the same reason that power lifters don't train every day.

I also think that you underestimate how much sprinters train.

And how hard. It's a different type of hard, and it takes its toll on the body.

And less than 100m in a session is ridiculous. Even sled sprints are 30m each.

Why? well you need almost zero aerobic capacity and thats what distance runners spend the majority of time working in.

Ever noticed how many sprinters get injured in a race compared to distance runners? is it just the sudden exertion and strain on muscles/tendons/ligaments or maybe they need to warm up longer and better.

Parbuster wrote:

Why? well you need almost zero aerobic capacity

Mythology. Sprinters use their aerobic capacity during recovery.

a sprinters warm up is circa an 60/90 mins that's the time of your average distance runners entire session and shower combined!

Doesn't anyone know about physiology at all?

A distance runner uses their 'slow twitch' which recovers extremely quickly compared to the explosive fibres of a sprinter.

Incidentally, sprinters will tend to train 10 days on 1 day off and likely have double days within that, comprising of many aspects, track sprints, hills, heavy weights, power weights, plyometric, and tempo (no not distance runners'tempo')

Not less...... just different

I think you should go to a sprint practice just to watch. And then go to a sprint practice and train with the sprinters. You obviously have no idea how sprinting works or how sprinters train.

questionerrrrr wrote:

I've always wondered this. Distance guys might run everyday single and up to 100mpw, while sprinters will do 2 hard workouts consists of a couple of sprints less than 100 meters a week,

A decent sprinter will tap into a level of muscle recruitment that most distance runners can't even dream of. The fact that a workout like 5x100m @ 98% max w/ 10 min rest is incredibly easy for distance runners just shows much more concentrated effort sprinters are capable of producing.