Jamaica’s Usain Bolt starts a Men’s 200m first round heat during the World Athletics Championships in Berlin on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009. AP Photo/David J. Phillip
According to a team of biomechanics, physiologists and sports scientists at the University of Wyoming, the answer is yes – a 4.8 100 metre time is within the realms of possibility.
Previously, accepted wisdom maintained that sprinting speed was controlled by the capability of the legs to sustain a limited amount of force as they strike the running surface, but now science is thinking that it comes down to concentric muscle contraction, an effect which occurs when a muscle shortens.
In the opinion of the researchers, this ability could be developed to such a degree that Usain Bolt’s record-breaking speed of around 27 mph could be increased by a future sprinter to something closer to 40 mph.
As a rugby fan, my first thought is what happens when a future Joe Rokocoko, traveling at 40 mph, gets hit by a covering player, say a future Rob Horne, who’s also traveling at 40 mph?
Rugby teams are going to need bigger squads!
Linford
Guest
Spark, i think you'll find most of the top sprinters maintain their speeds from around 60m - Bolt might still be winding up at this stage, hence his 200m time. Non sprinters hit top speed at 30m and then slow down. Get yourself assessed and you'll see.
mattamkII
Guest
"without the aid of drugs" You're kidding right?
Henry Arkwright
Roar Rookie
I think the top sprinters have just about reacdhed the limit of the human body without the aid of drugs. The 10 second barrier was broken back in the 1960's, and in the 40 years since then the fastest recorded time by Usain Bolt is only .4 of a second faster.
Sparky
Guest
The Other thing to consider is after a 100m runner hits their top speed usually between the 30 and 40 metre marks they spend the rest of the race slowing down. Usain Bolt's success is really due to his ability to not slow down as much as everyone else as his starts usually aren't brilliant.
Jecker
Guest
You're right Forgetmenot - that 4.8 figure doesn't include a spring from the blocks or the first 30 metres in which a sprinter gets up to speed and so it's not to be taken as a literal possibility. But the scientists feel that a runner attaining 40 mph at the fastest point of the sprint is a definite possibility, so a time of around 7 seconds for the 100 is achievable according to their latest research. That's a lot slower than 4.8 but still amazingly swift.
Forgetmenot
Guest
Surely that would not include the reaction time though??? That time could only surely be performed the perfect human though as well.