Speed stumps scientists

[stilljd_5]

@kitkat1

Hold on to your hats: scientists do not know how fast people can runA leading expert believes it could be many years before we understand the limits of human performance

Anna Kessel The Observer, Sunday 21 November 2010

Bosch discusses the various theories, among them the assertion that sprinters’ muscles will simply break down if pushed to their limits or that the brain is the decisive factor but is unable to process the signals fast enough. His own interest lies in the role that shock absorbers play in the movement stability of a sprinter. There is a great deal more to learn, says Bosch – a point on which many more scientists agree.

“It’s very early stages in understanding,” he says. “It could be many, many years still before we know more. If you look at a very important development in science over the last 15 years called dynamic systems theory and complex theory, we have learned that the answers to our questions are actually further away than ever before. We’re probably not getting closer to the answer, we’re just getting closer to asking the right questions.”

The human element will always defy sports scientists."

For details of the UK Sport and Exercise Medicine conference, visit uksem.org

Did I hear NumberTwo right, pluto?