Beyond physical capabilities: science, providing sports records
MOSCOW, 4 June — RIA Novosti, Alfia Enikeeva. In sport the outcome of the contest often determines the hundredths of a second. And the result is increasingly dependent on science and technology.
RIA Novosti tells how scientists identify people with a genetic predisposition to the records and help athletes overcome rivals.
Form solves all
In 1896 the American Thomas Burke established the first world record in run on hundred metres — 12 seconds. The present belongs to the Jamaican Sprinter Usain Bolt, in 2009 won the hundred meters in 9,58 seconds. The difference — two and a half seconds, but more than one hundred years the development of sports science.
Sprint has changed a lot: the tracks are made of polyurethane for asphalt based (was previously compacted soil, which requires additional effort when you push off the feet), athletes are shod with special shoes.
This professional shoes repeats the curves of the foot, softening the shock effect on the joints and ligaments. Additional spring layer between the insole and the sole allows more push off from the starting blocks, and a good start to such a short distance.