The Case of Simon Wulff

In the world of athletics, speed isn’t just an innate talent; it’s a skill that can be honed through the right kind of training. A recent shining example of this principle in action is the remarkable journey of German sprinter turned bobsleigh brakeman, Simon Wulff. His astounding personal best of 10.06 seconds in the 100m sprint demonstrates how bobsleigh training can enhance track speed, even for accomplished sprinters. Let’s dive into the powerful ways that training in this niche sport can elevate athletes across various team sports.

The Weighty Debate: Muscle vs. Speed

Much attention has been given to Simon Wulff’s coaching team, particularly coach Jannik Engel, who emphasized the critical role of increased muscle mass and improved maximum strength in Simon's newfound speed. While these factors are undeniably essential, the benefits of bobsleigh training extend far beyond just strength improvement. In fact, there’s a slight hesitation among coaches regarding the potential weight gain that can come from hypertrophy and maximum strength training, which might prevent athletes from maximizing their strength and force production potential.

More Than Meets the Eye: Success Stories

Simon Wulff isn’t the only athlete who has experienced a significant uptick in speed after transitioning to bobsleigh training. Many seasoned athletes, myself included, have witnessed substantial gains in acceleration and top speed, often even while adding body weight due to the demands of bobsleigh-specific workouts. Another noteworthy example is Joel Fearon, who managed an impressive 9.96 seconds in the 100m long after making the switch to bobsleigh—a clear indicator that this training method can be transformative.

Unleashing Potential: The Bobsleigh Effect

Bobsleigh may be a niche sport, but the talent cultivated within it is vast. Athletes are often grouped together for performance metrics like push times, which can mask the individual abilities that contribute to success. This is crucial to understand because reducing all performance enhancement to mere strength gains doesn’t do justice to the comprehensive training regimen bobsleigh athletes undergo.

1. Over Speed Training: The Key to Unlocking Speed

One of the most significant advantages of bobsleigh training is the emphasis on overspeed training. Pushing a sled at full effort allows athletes to reach speeds they typically wouldn’t attain on flat ground solely through running. During team pushes, this effect is amplified, propelling athletes to speeds of up to 12 m/s (over 43 kph). The beauty of this training is that once they reach these high speeds, athletes only need to load the sled and ride it out—a thrilling way to push their limits without the pressure of abrupt deceleration.

2. Sprint Microdosing: The Warm-Up Advantage

Speed improvements are closely linked to the frequent warm-ups required during bobsleigh training. When athletes push and slide, their bodies must be primed for the high velocities they will encounter. Even during light striding, speeds exceed 10 m/s, necessitating optimal preparation. With multiple sliding sessions throughout the day, athletes unknowingly engage in what I call "sprints microdosing," leading to an impressive volume of speed work that might tally up to 10 sessions of sprinting per week. Read my article on this HERE

3. The Takeaway: A Broader Training Perspective

Video: Side Angle View of a 4man start of Team Johannes Lochner with Crew Members Florian Bauer(right), Christopher Weber (left) & Eric Franke (back) Source: OSP Westfalen, Dr. Tobias Alt

By summarizing, there are three main reasons why bobsleigh training can lead to increased speed:

1. Increased Strength Levels: Developing raw power through strength training.

2. Exposure to High amounts of Over Speed Training: Achieving higher speeds than traditional sprint training allows.

3. High Frequency of Sprints During Warm-Ups: Engaging in sprinting activities that enhance speed without stress.

What this means for athletes in team sports is clear: traditional training methods may not always bring about the desired results. Instead of mirroring marathon runners, athletes should focus on developing their strength and speed to optimize performance on the field or court.

Join the Conversation!

Thank you for taking the time to explore how bobsleigh training can enhance speed for team sport athletes. If you’re curious to learn more or want to discuss this approach further, don’t hesitate to reach out to me on Instagram (@b.eric) or via email at eric.franke@live.com. Let’s unlock your speed potential together!