Why Elite Sprinting Comes from the Limbs, Not the Spine

This article critically examines the spinal engine hypothesis, which claims the spine actively drives locomotion. Beginning by clarifying the incorrect use of the term “theory,” it presents a balanced steelman of the hypothesis before debunking it with evidence from elite sprint biomechanics. The detailed analysis highlights how high-level sprinting performance relies on limb-driven propulsion and core stability, not spinal motion, offering a clearer understanding of evidence-based locomotion mechanics.