In Maximum Velocity Late flight, eccentric knee flexion is described as which of the following?

In Maximum Velocity Late flight, eccentric knee flexion is described as which of the following?

• A. Accelerates leg backward, limiting knee extension; stops before foot strike
• B. Accelerates leg forward
• C. Extends knee without limit
• D. Causes toe-off early

Answer: (A)

In the late flight phase of maximum-velocity sprinting, the knee flexors act eccentrically to brake the leg as it moves forward. This lengthening contraction slows knee extension, effectively pulling the leg backward relative to the hip and preventing the knee from fully extending too early. By doing so, the leg reaches a position that allows the foot to strike under the body, with timing ready for a strong ground contact. This brake on the forward swing is not about driving the leg forward, nor about unlimited knee extension or causing toe-off early.

In the late flight phase of maximum-velocity sprinting, the knee flexors act eccentrically to brake the leg as it moves forward. This lengthening contraction slows knee extension, effectively pulling the leg backward relative to the hip and preventing the knee from fully extending too early. By doing so, the leg reaches a position that allows the foot to strike under the body, with timing ready for a strong ground contact. This brake on the forward swing is not about driving the leg forward, nor about unlimited knee extension or causing toe-off early.