How much does medicine ball work to improve spritning time for the 55,60,100 and 200 meter dash races?
It’s just another form of GS strength work. It won’t improve too much, but it won’t hurt if done properly. I’d incorporate it.
Is the fact that some training component “just doesn’t hurt” enough to keep it in one’s program?
Personally,I wouldn’t say so!
To make sure everything has its own right to be there is of paramount importance for any program to be successful,and there is only one way to actually know it,and it is from hard gained field experience,not just from circulating words!
Thoughtfully introduce one component at a time ,and see how it affects Your whole in the short and long run.
Whatever, man. What the hell is with people always trying to counteract what someone says?
I said it wouldn’t hurt if done properly. That means incorporating it at the right time and seeing how it works. Just because I said I’d incorporate it doesn’t mean you jump up and throw it in without careful consideration.
BTW - you quoted me wrong… I said “it won’t hurt if done properly”, not it “just doesn’t hurt”. Watch how you quote things because now you’ve started an argument.
don’t do anymedball work unless you are with a coach…or tendon overload.
That, too 
well, im not going to countradict anyone, but i say that medball work has done wonders for starts as well as weighttraining because i used to have a brutal start in grade 9 now most of the coaches in my area comment that i have a good start.
med ball starts helped me learn how to use my hips explosively (and correctly) before i began to use OL’s.
Did you do it alone or with a coach?
Remember, the purpose of most medicine ball throws is to improve rate of force development. Perhaps sprinting provides adequate stimulus for that quality…
MBTs do however offer a number of advantages: they’re safe, cheap, can be done practically anywhere and are relatively mild on the CNS.
I’ve found rugby style throws (sitting or standing) provide a great stimulus for the obliques. Also try a ‘Woodchopper’ type action and throw the ball into the (concrete!) floor - great for the hip flexors and abs.
I see that MBT’s may help strengthen the obliques and abs without adding greatly to CNS fatigue, even if this is unnecessary due to track and other exercises. However, regarding arm power, are MBT’s as effective as simply swinging the arms as fast as possible ie. as in sprinting but with the body stationary.
i do them with my new jumping coach now…but i did them alone before that…