Why it will be difficult to match what Usain Bolt has achieved in sprinting

• Multiple world record holder wants to be a legend by the London Olympics

He breaks the laws of physics, which tell us it takes more energy to move a larger body than a smaller one.

A study by the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine had previously shown champion sprinters ranged between five feet, nine inches to a maximum six feet, three inches, but Bolt breaks the mould, proving you do not have to be of compact build to generate rapid leg turnover.

Lower body:

(The back, stomach and hips): This is the core of Bolt’s sprinting strength.

Once his shoulders would roll up and down because his central core had no strength; it made him more prone to injury. Now, though, according to agent Ricky Simms, the hours of work to bolster his back, stomach and hips allow him to hold an efficient sprint position for longer.

Stride:

The astonishing length of Bolt’s spidery stride is seen as a massive advantage, enabling him to cover 100 metres in 41-and-a-half strides compared to the average sprinter’s 43 to 45 strides.

Yet Mills had to work on shortening it, enabling Bolt to improve his stride rate.

Knees:

One of the reasons Bolt has such a long but efficient stride, according to Mills, is “because he lifts his knees so well.”