How does a sprinter sprint? how does a sprinter sprint? the sprinter pushes forward on the ground, which pushes her in the same direction (forward) on her. this is the only horizontal force on the sprinter, so she accelerates forward. the sprinter pushes backward on the ground, which pushes her in the same direction (backward) on her. this is the only horizontal force on the sprinter, so she accelerates forward. the sprinter pushes forward on the ground, which pushes back (backward) on her. this is the only horizontal force on the sprinter, so she accelerates forward. the sprinter pushes backward on the ground, which pushes back (forward) on her. this is the only horizontal force on the sprinter, so she accelerates forward.