What should the athlete do at the start of the 35m sprint test?

At the start of the 35m sprint test, the athlete should begin from a stationary position. This method is conventional for sprint tests as it allows the athlete to generate maximum acceleration from a stable stance. Starting from rest enables the athlete to focus on executing a proper starting technique, which can significantly influence their initial speed and overall performance.

A stationary start helps in accurately measuring the time taken to cover the 35 meters, providing clear results that reflect the athlete’s sprinting capabilities. It eliminates variables that could arise if the athlete were to start in motion or in a casual jog, which could detract from measuring pure sprinting power and speed. Additional options would lead to different forms of starting scenarios that do not align with standardized testing protocols for sprinting, potentially skewing results and performance evaluations.