Fast Skater = Fast Runner?

[O-townClown]

I'm curious about the biomechanics of skating versus running. Take a guy like Marian Gaborik that can absolutely fly in a hockey game. Was he dusting the field in the 50-yard-dash as a kid? If he applied himself in Track & Field would he have been a sprinter or shot-put thrower?

Everyone played sports as a kid in recess or P.E. Face it, people are either fast or they're not. Plus, some may not be the fastest runners but they have a quick start or can react laterally - explaining why nobody ran for more yards in the NFL than Emmitt even though nearly all RBs are faster.

I'm wondering how much correlation there is between a fast runner and fast skater. I'm sure Michael Johnson would be a demon on blades if he grew up on them, but it sure seems to me that many fast skaters are probably ordinary runners. (I could be way wrong.)

* Skating has your feet turned out orienting the leg differently to the hip joint
* A runner wants a long stride and fast recovery, but a skater generates a lot of force with their push; there's really no 'pushing off' in a straight-ahead run
* Because of the power component, I suspect is more likely that you'll find a thick-muscled thigh on a fast skater than on a fast runner who may have a leaner look
* Hockey skating is more 'technique-driven' than simple forward running where you just 'put one foot in front of the other'

Am I lost here? I really don't know the science of it. If anyone does I'd appreciate them sharing.

One similarity is that every person can train as much as they want and they'll ultimately run up against their limit. And each person has a different limit.

[Murphy]

Fast twitch muscle fibers...and amounts of fast vs. slow fibers.

[Charliedog]

Clown,

Sometime ago I had read that the only correlation between fast running and fast skating is if the running skill is uphill sprinting. So, fast uphill sprinting equals fast skater. I guess it utilizes more similar muscle groups.

However, a fast runner is most likely a good athlete and good athletes tend to excel at most sports.

[tomASS]

Yep you have to have the correct genetical make-up. Cause you can't teach speed or athleticism . You can train to maximize one's speed potential based on their genetics through form, technique, and muscle group training. But based on genetics (as stated earlier fast and slow twitch muscle fibers) one will reach a point where they plateau.

I like the up hill sprinting example. You can have the right genetics to be a superior sprinter, but if your form, technique, turnover is not right that speed will not transfer equally from land to ice.

[jancze5]

Maybe we should get Jimmy "the Greek" on this one?

[O-townClown]

Maybe we should get Jimmy "the Greek" on this one?

Are you saying the French-Canadiens are 'bred' to be hockey players in Quebec?

[tomASS]

Maybe we should get Jimmy "the Greek" on this one?

Are you saying the French-Canadiens are 'bred' to be hockey players in Quebec?

dey have an extra muscle dat make dem talk funny eh?

[Hock3y07]

i heard jumping and skating are in a way alike. because when you jump you want to create as much power as you can in your legs. same with your stride.