Final answer:
In a linear sprint test of speed, the distance should be based on the distance between the starting line and the finish line. The average speed can be determined by dividing the distance by the time it takes to cover that distance.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a linear sprint test of speed, the distance should be based on the distance between the starting line and the finish line. This distance is typically measured in meters. To determine the average speed, the time it takes for the sprinter to cover this distance is divided by the distance itself. Here's an example:
If a sprinter completes a 100-meter sprint in 10 seconds, the average speed would be calculated as 100 meters divided by 10 seconds, which gives us a speed of 10 meters per second.
To predict the time required to cover a different distance, let's say 25 meters, we would use the same relation: time equals distance divided by speed. Therefore, the time required to cover 25 meters at a speed of 10 meters per second would be 2.5 seconds.