Simulation of a sprinter. Part II. Implementation on a programmable calculator

Although successful models have been developed to simulate a sprinter's performance, they are often complex and sophisticated, requiring a main frame environment and expensive monitoring equipment. These disadvantages preclude the wide-spread use of the models by practitioners. This paper presents a method in which the necessary data can be easily gathered--using a tape measure, six stop watches and bollards, a starting gun, and a bathroom scale. A simple algorithm is presented for calculating the parameters of a previously defined model, and implemented on hand-held programmable calculators, the Casio FX-502P and HP41C. The model calculates the sprinter's initial horizontal acceleration, maximum horizontal velocity and can be used to predict the time for any given race distance. The model can therefore be used to evaluate the sprinter's current performance as well as indicate his potential if he were able to reach and maintain maximum velocity.