Dr. Paavo Komi has been one of, if not the leading sport scientist over the past several decades. He is one of the pioneers behind the study of stretch reflexes, the stretch shortening cycle and neuromuscular function in general. A professor emeritus and director of the Neuromuscular Research Center at the University of Jyvaskyla, he was also president of the European College of Sports Science from 1997 to 1999. Paavo is well known for his amazing array of published sports science material including his excellent text “Strength and Power in Sport.”

Dr. Komi has performed extensive research on sprinting throughout his career. Therefore, this interview is structured around his ideas of both sprinting technique and training. He talks about what his research has taught him about the factors necessary for optimal sprinting performance. He also discusses the value of the stretch shortening cycle and the care that must be taken when this system is fatigued. And last but not least, he lays out some of his views on the training of power versus the training of strength.

This interview can be accessed via our Media On Demand feature.