SprintStart
for Sprint Block Performance
iOS 17 and watchOS 10
Version 1.6.0 | October 13, 2024
SprintStart for Sprint Block Performance is the leading tool for your sprint and race start training. Using our sprinting start optimized app, your iPhone and Apple Watch can call the starting sequence and start your race, then record, sync, and share your start training sessions.
Designed and built by a USATF Level 1 Coach, SprintStart has been track-tested from block, 3-point, and standing starts in actual training programs. You cannot get more convenient, or useful, than SprintStart.
With our reaction time measurement, your response to the starting sound helps you track your performance out of the blocks and off the line. Using your device's acceleration sensors, your reaction time is recorded and displayed, and synchronized via iCloud to all your devices using SprintStart.
Trigger a start from the app, from Siri, a shortcut, and your Apple Watch Ultra's Action button.
Features
Clear, consistent voice calling of the starting sequence.
Customized intervals between start commands to model the race environment.
Start from the "bang" or a clear starting tone as your "go" sound.
Uses your device's accelerometer to detect reaction time to the "go" command - and adjustable sensitivity helps ensure you get accurate reaction measurements no matter which device or how you might be carrying or wearing it.
Chart your start sessions for a visual representation of your workout.
See a quick snapshot of your current or latest session.
Optionally, display your reaction time at end of each start - your reaction time is always saved.
Alert on false starts - less than .100s are flagged as per international rules.
Export reaction times, dates, and heart rate (available on Apple Watch app) as a CSV to track your training performance over time.
Synchronizes start & reaction information via iCloud, accessible on all your devices using SprintStart.
Apple Watch app uses haptic taps along with the voice commands.
Works GREAT with AirPods (especially the Watch app) - eliminate distractions and focus on your training!
Apple Watch
Built for Apple Watch, SprintStart puts the starter on your wrist. Call the start through your AirPods, feel the taps on your wrist, and measure your reaction time to “go” using your watch’s accelerometer. Capture your heart rate at the time of the start to understand your body’s responsiveness under training load.
The ultimate training tool.
iPhone
Whether on the line beside your blocks, or in your pocket, SprintStart leverages your iPhone’s large display, loud speaker, and motion sensors to start your sprint and measure your reaction time. Capture data, view, and share to email, contacts, files, and more.
Siri, Shortcuts, Action Button
Trigger your start via “Hey Siri”, a shortcut, or your Apple Watch Ultra action button. No matter how you get out of the blocks, SprintStart is recording your training data. Integration with Workouts harnesses the power of Apple’s Workouts app to enable high-performance training data.
False Start Detection
If your reaction time is less than .100s, SprintStart will alert you - and will record the false start for your tracking
With false start detection, you can get a good handle on your overall start practice.
iCloud Sync
Your reaction times are synchronized via iCloud, so all your SprintStart devices share your data. Share, analyze, and leverage your training data. Backups of your start sessions happen automatically.
Reaction Measurement
Measure your reaction time to “go” and use the data in your training plan. Export your reactions as a CSV file to chart, average, and plot over time. Reaction measurement uses your device’s motion sensors to determine when you’ve made a motion out of your start - how quick are you responding? How much are you improving? SprintStart will tell you!
Charting
We know your training data is invaluable, and seeing your start performance visually helps understand our sessions. See your training data over time - and look for start improvements right from your device.
One your iPhone, you can chart every session. On Apple watch, chart your most recent session.
The SprintStart Story
As a high school track and field sprint coach, training athletes to start from blocks in practice is a challenge. Matching the race-day call of a trained starter, over multiple starts, is hard on both the athlete. No matter what we practice, the excitement, environment, and nerves of a meet make starting from the blocks “for real” a reason for solid training, with consistent execution, and frequent review and measurement of performance.
In the spring of 2023, after 31 years out of the spikes, I began my own sprint training as a Masters-level athlete. One of the most difficult aspects of practice was self-starting during block and acceleration training. While calling the sequence aloud or in my head worked, it was neither consistent or true to a starter’s official call.
From this need, SprintStart was born.
Release Notes
1.6.0 October 13, 2024 | App Store
See your current or most recent session in a snap, with your average reaction time and average heart rate, from the handy toolbar button.
Also:
- Fixed a crash when tapping the Sessions button.
1.5.0 July 18, 2024
In celebration of the start of the USATF Masters Outdoor Championship meet this week, we're releasing a big update to SprintStart - with Charting!
For your start sessions, tap the chart button to see a handy graph representing your start reaction times. On iPhone, you can see a chart of any day (session). On Apple Watch, you'll see the chart from the latest session.
Also:
False start (less than .1s reaction) tracking and alerts
Better management of audio sessions
1.0.2 April 23, 2024
Less than 100 days until the 2024 Summer Olympics!
New Sharing Options
Share all, or just latest session
Share individual sessions
Fixes
Fixed a silent crash when data is synchronized with iCloud
Fixed an issue with the "Show Reaction Time" setting not saving correctly
Fixed case where if there was no start recorded, the workout tracking heart rate was not stopped
1.0.1 March 12, 2024
For the start of the 2024 outdoor season, we're delivering a *faster* SprintStart!
Improved the performance of the Start list
Better sharing of starts as CSV files
1.0.0 September 2023
Initial release