Sprinting is the act of
running over a short distance at (or near) top speed. It is used in many
sports that incorporate running, typically as a way of quickly reaching a target or goal, or avoiding or catching an opponent.
Human physiology dictates that a runner's near-top speed cannot be maintained for more than 30–35 seconds due to the depletion of
Phosphocreatine stores in muscles, and perhaps secondarily to excessive
Metabolic acidosis as a result of
Anaerobic glycolysis.