3 ms·
Title had me confused for a bit. The article says that it was previously thought that the amount of force a limb can apply to the ground was the limiting factor
by arjie 12y ago
Title had me confused for a bit. The article says that it was previously thought that the amount of force a limb can apply to the ground was the limiting factor in speed. However, it turns out that the actual limiting factor is how fast the muscles can apply that force. If muscles could apply the full force in the fraction of time that feet touch the ground, then that person would achieve those speeds.
Interesting result.
- ars 12y ago> If muscles could apply the full force in the fraction of time that feet touch the ground Or if they could touch the ground for longer. We need human mounted wings to provide some downforce :) Or more realistically an elastic belt strapped to the runner, and running on a track underneath them.
- pwr22 12y agoMaybe some form of spoiler :P?
- ajuc 12y agoSo, we need longer feet. Or longer shoes.
- bdg 12y agoMore legs!
- garganitan 12y agoInterestingly, you've hit upon the popular hypothesis that flight actually evolved via the wings providing downforce enabling faster/vertical running up trees.