NOVA(PBS): The SMU Connection

[Stallion]

On this week's NOVA (PBS) story they had an interesting story about the study of the perfection of speed in humans and machines and its application to the study of logistics and efficiencies in business. One of the 4-5 15 minute segments used to discuss the subject concerned the SMU School of Education and Applied Physiology. The SMU segment traced how the study of speed mechanics can significantly improve human speed. Foot motion is apparently almost exactly the same among both novice and advanced runners as shown by their video comparison-the speed comes from the amount of pressure the foot places on landing in each step in the stride. ie hitting the ground harder with each step increases speed even though that might make the runner run more vertically. Hmm. Interesting if you get a chance to watch it-I think you can watch it on the PBS website too. I wonder if the SMU athletic department consults these experts with regard to training techniques. Then we can turn all our 4.6 Forty 2 stars into 4.3 guys. Here's a link-the SMU segment mostly begins at about the 9:00 mark although they go back to earlier segments throughhout

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/makin ... uff-faster

[Mustangsabu]

Great idea. Sort of makes you wish we still had men's track.

[PK]

Great idea. Sort of makes you wish we still had men's track.

Sort of makes you wish? No question...we should have men's track.